Our Team
AIRI’s advantage lies in the credibility of its people—delivering high-rigor science with the speed and flexibility of an independent partner.
Current Members
Samantha J Kramer, PhD
Founder, Principal Scientist
I am an applied atmospheric scientist with expertise in wildfire smoke, aerosol pollution, climatology, and sub-seasonal prediction. I lead cross-sector research focused on improving fire weather data accessibility and evaluating forecast products for decision-maker use, and I have provided scientific analysis and technical support for federal and private litigation. My work emphasizes collaboration across agencies and institutions to translate complex science into meaningful outcomes for public health, policy, and environmental planning.
Crystal D McClure, PhD
Principal Scientist
Atmospheric scientist and wildfire expert with over 15 years of experience in scientific research and project management. Adept at analyzing complex data and developing innovative solutions to address environmental challenges. Detail-oriented and highly collaborative, thriving in team settings and effectively communicating scientific findings to diverse audiences. Committed to advancing knowledge in atmospheric chemistry and the wildfire science space.
Olivia S Ryder, PhD
Principal Scientist
Olivia is an atmospheric chemist with over a decade of experience in air quality research, specializing in toxic metals analysis, source apportionment, and health risk assessmnet. She is passionate about environmental outreach, serving as a U.S. State Department–EPA Global Air Quality Fellow supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina. She also develops curriculum and engages communities in environmental education.
Connor McCue
System Support Specialist
Connor holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Virginia Tech, with minors in Cybersecurity and Mathematics, and brings experience in full-stack development, database design, embedded systems and security research, including building a high-performance coverage-guided fuzzer. He helps strengthen the institute's security and IT infrastructure and works with AIRI's scientists to support and modernize their research software.
