Tracy L. Dombek

Ms. Tracy Dombek is a highly experienced Analytical Chemist with over 25 years of expertise in analytical chemistry, including more than 13 years at RTI International. Her work centers on chromatography and spectroscopy techniques with a focus on air quality and emerging environmental contaminants. Her extensive background encompasses method development, high-throughput project management, and implementation of rigorous quality systems across complex environmental monitoring efforts. A significant portion of Ms. Dombek’s career has been dedicated to supporting large-scale, long-term environmental monitoring programs. She has played a central role in data collection and analysis efforts for atmospheric deposition networks, contributing critical data on pollutants such as sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, chloride, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These datasets support scientific research and regulatory decision-making globally.

Ms. Dombek has also led projects involving passive gaseous monitoring for pollutants like nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and ozone. Her skills include not only instrumental analysis but also rigorous data validation and the establishment of robust quality control systems to ensure scientifically defensible results.

Her analytical chemistry contributions extend to method development for nutrient analysis in environmental samples, particularly through colorimetry and the use of colorimetric flow instruments to quantify ammonium, nitrate, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus.

Ms. Dombek has also contributed to method development and data validation for EPA-relevant analyses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and is actively engaged in research to distinguish organic versus inorganic fluoride fractions in complex samples.

In addition to her technical expertise, Ms. Dombek is a skilled team leader and project manager. She brings strong experience in personnel oversight, cross-functional coordination, and maintaining data integrity through robust QA/QC protocols, further enhancing the effectiveness and reliability of complex environmental research projects.