Atmospheric Science and Instrumentation


Working together to Improve our understanding of Earth’s Atmosphere


The sun shines through a pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) cloud into the cockpit of the NASA DC-8 aircraft over the Pacific Northwest on Aug. 8, 2019 during the FIREX-AQ field campaign. (U.S. Navy photo by Dr. David Peterson)

Welcome! I am a Ph.D. chemist who found my professional home working at the interface between the atmospheric sciences and airborne instrumentation. As a research scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research’s Research Aviation Facility, I am working to create a space to utilize my experience in service of the broader atmospheric research community. I hope this site can serve as a launching point for future discussions and collaborations. Please feel free to contact me and start that journey.

Atmospheric Science

The air we breathe. The only thing protecting us from harmful radiation. Earth’s temperature-regulating blanket. Without the atmosphere we simply would not exist. Its movements produce weather systems, its reflectivity and absorptivity regulate climate, and its production and loss of gases and aerosols will either pollute it or promote a healthy ecosystem. It is a global challenge that we face to understand these processes in order to protect ourselves and the only home we may ever have.

Airborne Instrumentation

Our understanding of the Earth’s atmosphere is in part limited by the quality and quantity of data we are able to collect and analyze. The focal point of my own research activities has been the development of state-of-the-art instrumentation for field deployment. Through the provision and interpretation of accurate, precise data we are able to advance understanding and improve our ability to anticipate future challenges.

Scientific Interests and Foci

Atmospheric Chemistry/Climate

Improving Analytical Capabilities

Andrew Rollins (NOAA) and Samantha Lee (CIRES/NOAA) collaborate on the development of an iodide CIMS

Collaboration in Science

Teachers tour the NCAR GV as part of the Discover AQ teacher workshop. Credit: David Oonk/CIRES

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