1. People & Departments
  2. Washington College
  3. Karl Kehm

Karl Kehm

Faculty
Department of Physics
  • Joseph H. McLain Associate Professor of Physics and Environmental Science & Studies • Director of the Earth and Planetary Science Program • Assistant Dean of Grants

Karl Kehm

Karl Kehm

 

Office Hours

M-F by appointment

I am a physicist who studies physical and chemical processes on Earth, in the atmosphere, and in space. I use mass spectrometers in my research. These instruments count the number of atoms of different masses in a substance. I use this information to answer questions about the origin and evolution of the solar system, the fate and transport of elements on Earth, and the composition and dynamics of the upper atmosphere.

 

Education

  • B.S., Physics, Drake University, 1991
  • Ph.D., Physics, Washington University, 2000

 

Additional Information

  • Chair, Natural Science and Mathematics Division 2024-Present
  • Visiting Research Scientist, Washington University Department of Physics 2021
  • Chair, Department of Physics 2015-2021
  • Coordinator, Strategic Institutional Partnerships 2016-2017
  • Chair, Natural Science and Mathematics Division 2004-2007
  • Honorary Visiting Research Fellow 
    School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Science
    University of Manchester 2004-2005
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow
    Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution for Science 2000-2002
  • Visiting Assistant Professorial Lecturer
    Department of Physics and Astronomy, George Washington University 2001
  • Graduate Research Assistant
    Department of Physics, Washington University in St. Louis 1993-2000
  • KEHM K., MESHIK A., PRAVDIVTSEVA O., AND RAUCH B. (2024) Helium Excesses in the Lower Stratosphere Revealed by Balloon Atmospheric Sampling. 16th International Conference on Gas Geochemistry, #35 (abstract).
  • KRAHFORST C., SHERMAN L., AND KEHM K (2022) Trace metal enrichment in a tidally influenced, rural tributary of the upper Chesapeake Bay. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 175, 113377.
  • MESHIK A., KEHM K., PRAVDIVTSEVA O. AND RAUCH. (2022) Measurements of Atmospheric Noble Gases in Antarctica Captured by Autonomous Balloon Sampling. American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2022 (abstract).
  • SHERMAN L., KEHM K. AND KRAHFORST C. (2015) An Investigation of Sediment Trace Metal Concentrations in a Rural Sub-watershed of the Chesapeake Bay, U.S.A. 21st International Interdisciplinary Conference on the Environment, The Annual Meeting of the Interdisciplinary Environmental Association, Puerto Rico, June 9-13th, 2015 (abstract).
  • KEHM K., CROWTHER S., GILMOUR J.D., MOHAPATRA R.K., AND HOHENBERG C.M. (2009) Upper limit concentrations of trapped xenon in individual interplanetary dust particles from the stratosphere. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 44, 249-259.
  • Physics
  • Earth Science
  • Planetary Science
  • Astronomy
  • Energy and Environment
  • Oceanography
  • Geology

I advise capstones in physics and environmental science and studies.