Dr. Gavin R. McMeeking, PhD

Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

Gavin McMeeking

Dr. Gavin McMeeking is an aerosol scientist with over 20 years of background and experience in scientific instrument development, evaluation, and deployment. He has worked across academia, research, and private industry in atmospheric chemistry, cloud physics, indoor air quality, and environmental health. Dr. McMeeking focuses on bridging emerging technology—both hardware and software—from the research laboratory into solving practical real-world problems. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Atmospheric Science from Colorado State University and a B.A. in Earth and Planetary Science from UC Berkeley.

As Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of RedSpire LLC (2025-present), Dr. McMeeking leads the company's strategic direction and client services. He co-founded CloudSci LLC (2024), which commercializes airborne particle measurement technologies for research and related markets. Previously, he held leadership roles at Handix Scientific LLC as VP of Research & Development (2020-2022) and at Droplet Measurement Technologies as Scientist/Sales Specialist (2012-2015).

Dr. McMeeking has published over 60 peer-reviewed scientific papers in aerosol science and technology, and has led or co-led over a dozen sponsored research projects. He has advised governmental organizations including the Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, and NASA on topics ranging from instrument development, atmospheric measurement techniques, black carbon aerosol impacts, wildfire emission characterization, and technology translation.

View Full CV

Areas of Expertise

  • Scientific instrument development, evaluation, and deployment
  • Aerosol optical and absorption properties measurement
  • Black carbon and brown carbon characterization
  • Ice nucleation and cloud microphysics instrumentation
  • Biomass burning and wildfire emissions characterization
  • Indoor air quality measurement and monitoring systems
  • Airborne and UAV-based sensor platforms
  • Sensor calibration, QA/QC, and data integrity management
  • Technology transfer and commercialization
  • Technical communication for stakeholders and regulatory audiences

Professional Experience

  • RedSpire LLC: Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder (2025-present)
  • CloudSci LLC: Co-Founder (2024)
  • Colorado State University: Research Associate II (2022-2024)
  • Handix Scientific LLC: VP Research & Development (2020-2022), Principal Scientist (2017-2020), Senior Scientist (2015-2017)
  • Droplet Measurement Technologies: Scientist/Sales Specialist (2012-2015)
  • Colorado State University: Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Scientist I (2011-2012)
  • University of Manchester: Postdoctoral Researcher (2008-2011)

Education

  • PhD – Colorado State University (2005 – 2008)
    Atmospheric Science; focused on aerosol emissions from biomass burning and black carbon characterization.
  • MS – Colorado State University (2002 – 2005)
    Atmospheric Science; research on wildland fire particulate emissions and visibility impacts.
  • BA – University of California, Berkeley (1998 – 2002)
    Earth & Planetary Science

Select Publications

From over 60 peer-reviewed publications in leading atmospheric science and environmental health journals

  • Gibson L, Levin EJT, Emerson E, Good N, Hodshire A, McMeeking G, et al. (2025) "Measurement report: An investigation of the spatiotemporal variability in aerosols in the mountainous terrain of the upper Colorado River basin using SAIL-net." Atmospheric Chemistry & Physics.
  • Boedicker EK, Emerson EW, McMeeking GR, Patel S, Vance ME, Farmer DK (2021) "Fates and spatial variations of accumulation mode particles in multi-zone indoor environments during the HOMEChem campaign." Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts.
  • Emerson EW, Hodshire AL, DeBolt HM, Bilsback KR, Pierce JR, McMeeking GR, Farmer DK (2020) "Revisiting particle dry deposition and its role in radiative effect estimates."Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
  • Selimovic V, Yokelson RJ, McMeeking GR, Coefield S (2020) "Aerosol mass and optical properties, smoke influence on O3 and high NO3 production rates in a western US city impacted by wildfires." Journal of Geophysical Research.
  • Ditas J, Ma N, et al., McMeeking GR, et al. (2018) "Strong impact of wildfires on the abundance and aging of black carbon in the lowermost stratosphere." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115, E11595-E11603.
  • Levin EJT, McMeeking GR, DeMott P, et al. (2016) "Ice nucleating particle emissions from biomass combustion and the potential importance of soot aerosol." Journal of Geophysical Research.
  • DeMott PJ, Hill TCJ, McCluskey CS, et al., McMeeking GR, et al. (2016) "Sea spray aerosol as a unique source of ice nucleating particles." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
  • McMeeking GR, Fortner E, Onasch TB, Taylor JW, Flynn M, Coe H, Kreidenweis SM (2014) "Impacts of nonrefractory material on light absorption by aerosols emitted from biomass burning." Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres.
  • McMeeking GR, Morgan WT, Flynn M, Highwood EJ, Turnbull K, Haywood J, Coe H (2011) "Black carbon aerosol mixing state, organic aerosols and aerosol optical properties over the United Kingdom." Atmospheric Chemistry & Physics, 11, 9037-9052.
  • McMeeking GR, Good N, Petters MD, McFiggans G, Coe H (2011) "Influences on the fraction of hydrophobic and hydrophilic black carbon in the atmosphere." Atmospheric Chemistry & Physics, 11, 5099-5112.

Awards & Recognition

  • Invited Speaker, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) FARE User's Workshop (2023)
  • Invited Expert, Department of Energy aerosol measurement workshops (2020–present)
  • Instrumentation Working Group Chair, American Association for Aerosol Research (AAAR) (2019)
  • Invited Speaker, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2011)
  • Royal Society Travel Grant Awardee (2009)
  • American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Mass Media Fellowship (2005)
  • Herbert Riehl Memorial Award, Colorado State University (2005)
  • Reviewer for federal agencies: EPA, NSF, DOE, NOAA, NASA
  • Reviewer for 15+ peer-reviewed journals including Atmospheric Chemistry & Physics, Environmental Science & Technology, Journal of Geophysical Research
  • Professional memberships: American Industrial Hygiene Association, American Association for Aerosol Research, American Geophysical Union, American Meteorological Society

Get in Touch

Email: gavin.mcmeeking@redspire.us

Phone: 970-310-5186

For instrumentation strategy, measurement technologies, or consulting services related to environmental measurement, exposure assessment, and scientific instrument development, reach out to Gavin.