"This proposal aims to address uncertainties on the interactions between aerosol particles and cloud droplets. One of the unique and exceptional aspects of the proposed work is that these measurements will not only provide information on the interactions between aerosol particles and cloud droplets in the planetary boundary layer but also in the free troposphere. The Laboratoire de Météorologie Physique UBP/CNRS at the University Blaise Pascal, Clermont Ferrand is exceptionally experienced in the field of atmospheric science and their expertise encompasses both experimental and theoretical approaches. Dr. Freney is an outstanding young scientist that has a truly global research record. She graduated from her undergraduate degree in 2002 at Limerick Institute of Technology in Ireland. She traveled to the University of Edinburgh, Scotland to carry out her PhD on the ‘Applications and evaluations of an aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer’ and graduated in June 2006. During her postdoctoral research Dr. Freney explored different instrumental methods to understand and examine atmospheric particles at Arizona State University, USA. During this time she used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and state of the art environmental TEM (ETEM) and also gained a detailed knowledge of the complex dependencies of particle hygroscopicity on particle composition, size, and mixing state. Dr. Freney is an excellent match for the proposed project and it will provide her with the opportunity to carry out research in Europe. It is in Dr. Freney's best interests to remain in France and for that reason the holding of the marie curie reintegration grant will provide her with an exceptional stepping stone from temporary postdoctoral positions to a permanent research positions such as those from the center of national research science or Maitre de Conference positions."