Georgetown Hired Chemist Abigail Dommer in Fall 2026
The appointment establishes the Computational Aerobiology Lab to study virus transmission and atmospheric aerosol behavior.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Life Sciences
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In Fall 2026, Georgetown University hired chemist Abigail Dommer to lead the newly established Computational Aerobiology Lab. This research initiative focuses on modeling the behavior of droplets containing organic matter to better understand airborne transmission and cloud formation.
Why it matters
The research aims to inform public health policies by simulating how atmospheric conditions influence viral transport. By analyzing these interactions, the lab seeks to bridge the gap between microscopic molecular behavior and large-scale environmental health outcomes.
The lab utilizes atomic-level simulations of single droplets to observe how varying atmospheric conditions affect viral survival and behavior. This methodology extends Dommer's previous research on sea spray aerosols, which was documented in New York Times features during 2021 and 2022.
The players
Abigail Dommer
A chemistry professor and lead researcher who specializes in modeling the behavior of aerosols and viral droplets.
Georgetown University
A Washington-based research institution that has expanded its life sciences capabilities through the addition of the Computational Aerobiology Lab.
Haiyan He
A biology assistant professor at Georgetown University who is currently collaborating on research projects with Abigail Dommer.
Isaac Conde
A doctoral student and researcher at the Computational Aerobiology Lab whose academic path leads to an expected 2032 graduation.
The details
The Computational Aerobiology Lab simulates the physical interactions within microscopic droplets at the atomic scale. By adjusting environmental variables such as humidity and temperature, researchers can observe the resulting effects on virus stability. These models build on Dommer's earlier work in creating a complete digital representation of COVID-19, allowing scientists to track how organic matter behaves while airborne.
Timeline
2021: New York Times featured Dommer's molecular virus model.
2022: New York Times featured Dommer's COVID-19 droplet simulation.
Fall 2026: Georgetown University officially hired Abigail Dommer.
The Tech Race
The Computational Aerobiology Lab serves as a focal point for understanding the physics of airborne transmission, competing with various global studies on aerosol dynamics. It advances the research trajectory established by Dommer's previous high-profile viral modeling, now applied to broader climate and health challenges.
This research provides the foundational data necessary for future public health policies regarding indoor air quality and disease mitigation. While the work is currently at the laboratory simulation stage, the findings are intended to eventually inform guidelines for how health officials manage airborne risks in public spaces.
The takeaway
Dommer's transition to Georgetown signals a continued academic focus on the intersection of chemistry and infectious disease dynamics. Observers should track the lab's upcoming publications to see how these atom-level simulations translate into revised public health guidance for airborne pathogens.
Further reading
Explore more developments in Life Sciences happening across Washington research institutions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Hoya.
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