Biographical Information
Education
Ph.D. Theoretical Solid State Physics
1974
University of Wisconsin - Madison
M.S.
1968
University of Wisconsin - Madison
B.S. with high honors, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Beta Kappa
1967
University of Maryland - College Park
Experience
1999 - present
Chief Scientist for the Center for Satellite Applications and Research
As the Chief Scientist for the Center for Satellite Applications and Research (formerly known as the Office of Research and Applications) in NOAA/NESDIS, I am responsible providing guidance on science issues and initiating major science programs for the Director of the Office.
1999 - present
International Expert Team Chairman
As the chairman of the World Meteorological Organization Expert Team on Observational Data Requirements and Redesign of the Global Observing System, GOS (that reports to the Commission for Basic Systems Open Program Area Group on Integrated Observing Systems) I lead 12 international experts in (a) reviewing observing system experiments indicating the relative contribution from various components of space based and ground based observing systems, (b) recommending steps for the evolution of the surface and space-based components of the GOS and (c) reporting to the CBS on how well the GOS is meeting user requirements in various applications areas and how the GOS performance can be improved.
1997 - present
Science Director of Cooperative Institute
As the Science Director of the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, I am responsible for the day to day scientific direction of the activities of the CIMSS personnel. This involves coordinating university research principal investigator proposals in response to government funding opportunities, assuring science progress on grants and contracts, fostering peer review publications, and evaluating individual performance. I am assisted by the CIMSS program coordinator who administers the day to day operation of the CIMSS staff. CIMSS consists of about 70 personnel and requires about $4 to 5M annual budget.
1985 - present
Principal Investigator
As a member of the MODIS (Moderate resolution Imaging Spectrometer) science team, I am responsible for developing algorithms for the cloud mask, cloud properties, and atmospheric profiles. Early work included design, test, and application of the MODIS Airborne Simulator, a passive infrared radiometer flown on ER2 aircraft. Flight data at 50 meter horizontal resolution were taken to study cloud radiative properties (emissivity, height, temperature, phase), to detail atmospheric water vapor and stability in convective environments, and to investigate sea surface temperature and suspended sediment concentrations as they relate to the geomorphology of coastlines. After launch of the EOS Terra and Aqua Platforms, the MAS experience was transferred to processing the MODIS 1 km resolution data routinely and studying the global cloud and moisture trends.
1986 - present
Adjunct Professor
I teach graduate level courses in satellite remote sensing of the earth-atmosphere system covering atmospheric processes (emphasizing radiative transfer) and satellite applications. A textbook "Applications with Meteorological Satellites" has been published (WMO publication) and distributed internationally. As adjunct professor in the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Department, I have been advisor to over thirty Masters and PhD students (currently four). I have also taught undergraduate physics to science and non-science majors at the University of Wisconsin-Madison covering Calculus, Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Quantum Mechanics, Atomic Physics, Solid State Physics, Thermodynamics, and Relativity.
1967 - present
Scientist
I have participated in the design and test of spacecraft instrumentation for monitoring the earth-atmosphere system. Calibration of infrared sensors has been one of my specialties. I have been co-investigator on about thirty research proposals and author of many of these. Recent activities have centered on developing techniques for retrieving information regarding the three-dimensional temperature and moisture structure from infrared remote sensing. Investigations of cloud properties and associated rainfall have also been part of this work. Research has involved numerical solution of differential equations, development of approximation algorithms with appropriate numerical stability criteria, analysis of special functions and integrals, numerical integration and differentiation, and matrix algebra. Considerable experience with computers has been acquired.
MODIS Research Area
"Cloud Properties, Atmospheric Stability and Total Ozone with MODIS"
As a member of the MODIS team, I am responsible for (1) refining algorithms for identifying cloud and estimating cloud properties using data from the MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS), and the High resolution Interferometer Sounder (HIS), (2) participating in MODIS radiometric calibration, (3) establishing the MODIS ability to study cloud properties and the spectral longwave cloud forcing with its carbon dioxide sensitive channels, and (4) developing techniques for determining atmospheric stability, water vapor greenhouse effects, and total ozone content with MODIS.
The work will be performed in collaboration with Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It will include evaluation and testing of the MODIS radiometric performance, both before and after launch. Intercomparisons of MODIS and other available radiometric data will be performed on the McIDAS (Man computer Interactive Data Access System) to establish the calibration. Using the MAS and HIS data from several field campaigns, the optimal algorithms for studying cloud properties with MODIS will be determined. An extensive study of clouds (heights, emissivities, and geographical coverage) and the conditions associated with their development will be performed with the MODIS data. A several year cloud climatology will be produced mapping the month-to-month variability of cloudiness on a global scale. Algorithms for generating temperature and moisture products describing atmospheric stability and estimating total ozone content from the MODIS data base will be adapted from the existing Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) and Television Infrared Observation Satellite Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) software.
The algorithms to estimate cloud properties and atmospheric state products will be developed and the associated software will be transferred to the EOSDIS processing facility. The investigators will assist with the software implementation and testing on EOSDIS.
Field Work
The MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS) has participated in a wide variety of field experiments.
This high altitude multispectral scanner is being used to develop and test algorithms for cloud and surface properties for MODIS
MODIS Airborne Simulator data from the following field campaigns are being processed and cloud masks and properties will be made available to interested parties:
TOGA-COARE, January 1993;
SCAR, July 1993;
OTIS, January 1995;
SUCCESS, May 1996;
WINCE, January 1997;
WINTEX, March 1999.
Publications
Related World Wide Web Sites
Contact Infomation
Dr. W. Paul Menzel
T: 608-264-5325
F: 608-262-5974
E: paulm@ssec.wisc.edu
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