NOAA/NESDIS/STAR/CoRP

Current STAR/CoRP/ASPB members are:

Jeff Key , the branch chief, specializes in high-latitude satellite meteorology and climatology. He is interested primarily in the radiative effects of clouds on the surface energy balance, and has developed algorithms and models for use in the retrieval of cloud properties and radiative fluxes from optical satellite data. Current research topics include the spatial and temporal variability of polar cloud, surface, and radiation properties, satellite-derived polar winds, and recent climate trends. [jkey@ssec.wisc.edu]

Bob Aune's expertise is in the area of satellite data assimilation. He is currently examining ways to improve the initial moisture and cloud fields in both research and operational forecast models using retrieved observations from the GOES sounders. He is also conducting Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) to assess the potential value of future observing systems. [boba@ssec.wisc.edu]

Andrew Heidinger is involved mainly with cloud remote sensing research. His projects include the develop of algorithms for new sensors ( VIIRS and ABI ) and the generation and analysis of cloud climatologies from AVHRR. His interests also include radiative transfer modeling and calibration studies. [heidinger@ssec.wisc.edu]

Mike Pavolonis specializes in cloud remote sensing and cloud radiative impact studies. He utilizes geostationary and polar orbiting satellite instruments in his research and has developed cloud-related algorithms for future instruments as well (such as VIIRS and ABI ). Currently, he is engaged in research related to the remote sensing of volcanic aerosols and hyperspectral atmospheric sounding. [mpav@ssec.wisc.edu]

R. Bradley Pierce's research focuses on development of applications of satellite composition measurements for air quality forecasting and assessment. Current activities include the development and transition of air quality research data sets and forecast products to operational use within NOAA/NESDIS, performing satellite composition measurement model impact studies, and participation in airborne field campaigns. [brad.pierce@ssec.wisc.edu]

Tim Schmit's main responsibilities include future GOES instruments (both imager and sounder ), GOES calibration issues, and turning GOES satellite data into meteorological data. Calibration work entails monitoring the operational sounder calibration and calculating radiance bias adjustments. Satellite product work consists of maintaining, improving, and validating several products from the GOES sounder and imager. These products include radiance information, retrieved temperature and moisture profiles, and cloud-top information. [tim.schmit@ssec.wisc.edu]

Gary S. Wade advocates more extensive and easier application of satellite data, particularly products from the GOES Sounder. His support and monitoring of real-time GOES processing at CIMSS and the resulting dissemination of such data (as onto the World Wide Web) originate within a McIDAS environment. His evaluations, usually on a case basis, of the use of GOES data to improve depictions of the atmosphere focus on developing and using effective displays, enhancements, and animations of GOES Derived Product Images (DPI). [Gary.S.Wade@noaa.gov]

Former NOAA/NESDIS/STAR(ORA) staff who were in Wisconsin at CIMSS are:

Geary Callan (1946-2005) retired in early 2004, after 35 years of federal service, and moved to the Houston, Texas area. He had specialized in computer software development related to numerical models and satellite retrievals. He also had maintained decoders of GRIded Binary (GRIB) data and Binary Universal Form Representation (BUFR) data.

Christopher (Kit) Hayden

Hugh (Ben) Howell [ben.howell@ssec.wisc.edu]

Leroy Herman

John Lewis [John.M.Lewis@noaa.gov]

W. Paul Menzel retired in January 2007, having been the Senior Scientist in the NOAA/NESDIS Center for SaTellite Applications and Research (STAR). He then returned to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as a Senior Scientist at the Space Science and Engineering Center as well as the Verner Suomi Distinguished Professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. He continues to specialize in calibration of infrared remote sensing radiometers, radiative transfer in the atmosphere, cloud studies with multispectral instruments (HIRS, MODIS), and evolving the current sounders into the hyperspectral realm. [paulm@ssec.wisc.edu]

Fred Nagle [fred.nagle@ssec.wisc.edu]

Cecil Paris [Cecil.Paris@noaa.gov]

Ana Picon is an engineering graduate student from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez , which is a participating institution in NOAA's Cooperative Remote Sensing Science and Technology Center ( CREST ). She also worked in the Climate Modeling Group, within the university's Electrical and Computer Engineering Department , which focused on remote sensing and climate studies applicable to the Caribbean region. Her research interests at CIMSS during her summer 2003 stay were in the application of satellite remote sensing to cloud information. She returned to Puerto Rico in August 2003. [Ana.Picon@ece.uprm.edu]

Elaine Prins retired from federal service in late 2004 and resides in northern California. She specialized in the design and evaluation of geostationary satellite applications for earth system science studies. Her research focused on satellite observation and analysis of biomass burning and implications on the environment and climate change. [elaine.prins@ssec.wisc.edu]

Bill Smith [bill.smith@ssec.wisc.edu]

Bill Togstad [Bill.Togstad@noaa.gov]

Hal Woolf [hal.woolf@ssec.wisc.edu]