/science/departments/atmospheric-earth-science/news 2025-06-03T15:51:02-05:00 UAH webmaster@uah.edu Joomla! - Open Source Content Management 2025-05-02T08:08:21-05:00 2025-05-02T08:08:21-05:00 /science/departments/atmospheric-earth-science/news/19463-uah-researchers-climate-study-quantifies-urban-heat-island-effect-for-the-first-time Dr. Roy W. Spencer

<p><img src="/" alt="Left to Right: UAH鈥檚 Dr. John Christy reviews climate model data with Dr. Roy W. Spencer"></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>A new research study from 草榴社区, a part of The University of Alabama System, addresses the question, how much have urban areas warmed from the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect?</p> <!--// END Intro Text -->

<p><img src="/" alt="Left to Right: UAH鈥檚 Dr. John Christy reviews climate model data with Dr. Roy W. Spencer"></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>A new research study from 草榴社区, a part of The University of Alabama System, addresses the question, how much have urban areas warmed from the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect?</p> <!--// END Intro Text --> 2025-04-09T08:17:28-05:00 2025-04-09T08:17:28-05:00 /science/departments/atmospheric-earth-science/news/19410-uah-dr-josh-wurman-earns-spot-national-storm-chasing-hall-of-fame Paola Pinto

<p><img src="/" alt="Dr. Josh Wurman presenting at the National Storm Chasing Summit"></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>Dr. Josh Wurman, a researcher at 草榴社区 (UAH), was recently named to the National Storm Chasing Hall of Fame (NSCHoF).</p> <!-- // END Intro Text -->

<p><img src="/" alt="Dr. Josh Wurman presenting at the National Storm Chasing Summit"></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>Dr. Josh Wurman, a researcher at 草榴社区 (UAH), was recently named to the National Storm Chasing Hall of Fame (NSCHoF).</p> <!-- // END Intro Text --> 2025-04-07T15:17:28-05:00 2025-04-07T15:17:28-05:00 /science/departments/atmospheric-earth-science/news/19401-student-projects-highlight-research-innovation-2025-graduate-poster-session Russ Nelson

<p><img src="/" alt="A graduate student discusses their research at a poster session, featuring various charts and visuals about AI methods."></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>The Graduate School at 草榴社区 (UAH) hosted its annual UAH Graduate Poster Session in the Student Services Building on the UAH campus, a part of the University of Alabama System.</p> <!-- // END Intro Text -->

<p><img src="/" alt="A graduate student discusses their research at a poster session, featuring various charts and visuals about AI methods."></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>The Graduate School at 草榴社区 (UAH) hosted its annual UAH Graduate Poster Session in the Student Services Building on the UAH campus, a part of the University of Alabama System.</p> <!-- // END Intro Text --> 2025-03-28T08:17:28-05:00 2025-03-28T08:17:28-05:00 /science/departments/atmospheric-earth-science/news/19365-uah-air-force-rotc-program-holds-enlistment-ceremony-its-first-group-of-seven-cadets Ann Marie Martin

<p><img src="/" alt="U.S. Air Force ROTC cadets from 草榴社区 From left, they are Dorian Cole, Jacob Padgett, David Hays, Quan Davis, Gabriel Rice, Madison Bipes and William Harper."></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>The Air Force Reserve Officers鈥� Training Corps (AFROTC) program at 草榴社区 (UAH) held an enlistment ceremony on March 26 for its first group of seven cadets to have been contracted into the United States Air Force Reserve (Officers Training Corps).</p> <!-- // END Intro Text -->

<p><img src="/" alt="U.S. Air Force ROTC cadets from 草榴社区 From left, they are Dorian Cole, Jacob Padgett, David Hays, Quan Davis, Gabriel Rice, Madison Bipes and William Harper."></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>The Air Force Reserve Officers鈥� Training Corps (AFROTC) program at 草榴社区 (UAH) held an enlistment ceremony on March 26 for its first group of seven cadets to have been contracted into the United States Air Force Reserve (Officers Training Corps).</p> <!-- // END Intro Text --> 2025-03-24T08:17:28-05:00 2025-03-24T08:17:28-05:00 /science/departments/atmospheric-earth-science/news/19355-fighting-fire-with-science-uah-and-nasa-forge-groundbreaking-fire-management-collaboration-in-south-alabama Paola Pinto

<p><img src="/" alt="Sensors provide critical insights into how soil moisture influences fire dynamics."></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>Researchers from 草榴社区 (UAH), part of The University of Alabama System, have partnered with the Alabama Forestry Commission and NASA鈥檚 FireSense initiative to study prescribed burns in the&nbsp;Geneva State Forest in South Alabama.</p> <!-- // END Intro Text -->

<p><img src="/" alt="Sensors provide critical insights into how soil moisture influences fire dynamics."></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>Researchers from 草榴社区 (UAH), part of The University of Alabama System, have partnered with the Alabama Forestry Commission and NASA鈥檚 FireSense initiative to study prescribed burns in the&nbsp;Geneva State Forest in South Alabama.</p> <!-- // END Intro Text --> 2025-03-03T09:17:28-06:00 2025-03-03T09:17:28-06:00 /science/departments/atmospheric-earth-science/news/19333-uah-celebrates-research-week-with-11th-research-horizons-poster-session-highlighting-undergraduate-student-innovation Russ Nelson

<p><img src="/" alt="A person holds an open equipment case, displaying various electronic components and wiring, set in a laboratory environment."></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>To celebrate Research Week, Undergraduate Research at 草榴社区 (UAH) is highlighting the 11th UAH Research Horizons Poster Session, March 4.</p> <!-- // END Intro Text -->

<p><img src="/" alt="A person holds an open equipment case, displaying various electronic components and wiring, set in a laboratory environment."></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>To celebrate Research Week, Undergraduate Research at 草榴社区 (UAH) is highlighting the 11th UAH Research Horizons Poster Session, March 4.</p> <!-- // END Intro Text --> 2025-02-25T11:17:28-06:00 2025-02-25T11:17:28-06:00 /science/departments/atmospheric-earth-science/news/19317-uah-secures-5m-for-groundbreaking-radar-instrumentation-and-hail-research Paola Pinto

<p><img src="/" alt="The C-band on Wheels a blue truck-mounted radar that collects weather data. It&#039;s part of the Doppler on Wheels (DOW) fleet."></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>The Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets (FARM) team, part of the Severe Weather Institute 鈥� Radar &amp; Lightning Laboratories (SWIRLL) at 草榴社区鈥檚 (UAH) Earth System and Science Center (ESSC), has been awarded three grants totaling $5 million to support critical instruments and one of the most ambitious hail studies ever conducted.</p> <!-- // END Intro Text -->

<p><img src="/" alt="The C-band on Wheels a blue truck-mounted radar that collects weather data. It&#039;s part of the Doppler on Wheels (DOW) fleet."></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>The Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets (FARM) team, part of the Severe Weather Institute 鈥� Radar &amp; Lightning Laboratories (SWIRLL) at 草榴社区鈥檚 (UAH) Earth System and Science Center (ESSC), has been awarded three grants totaling $5 million to support critical instruments and one of the most ambitious hail studies ever conducted.</p> <!-- // END Intro Text --> 2024-12-06T08:17:28-06:00 2024-12-06T08:17:28-06:00 /science/departments/atmospheric-earth-science/news/19160-uah-scientists-help-unveil-dynamic-gamma-ray-emissions-in-tropical-thunderclouds Paola Pinto

<p><img src="/" alt="Artistic view of a NASA plane flying over gamma ray-glowing clouds in the Caribbean"></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>Researchers from the Earth System Science Center (ESSC) at 草榴社区 (UAH) have partnered with atmospheric scientists from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to make groundbreaking discoveries about gamma-ray emissions from thunderstorms.</p> <!-- // END Intro Text -->

<p><img src="/" alt="Artistic view of a NASA plane flying over gamma ray-glowing clouds in the Caribbean"></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>Researchers from the Earth System Science Center (ESSC) at 草榴社区 (UAH) have partnered with atmospheric scientists from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to make groundbreaking discoveries about gamma-ray emissions from thunderstorms.</p> <!-- // END Intro Text --> 2024-11-21T08:17:28-06:00 2024-11-21T08:17:28-06:00 /science/departments/atmospheric-earth-science/news/19126-uah-atmospheric-researchers-find-disadvantaged-urban-populations-subject-to-greater-heat-stress-poor-air-quality Russ Nelson

<p><img src="/" alt="Land cover maps from 2001 and 2019 in the Houston Metropolitan Area"></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>Researchers at 草榴社区 (UAH) have employed a NASA open-source program to reveal that disadvantaged populations may be subject to greater heat stress and poor air quality.</p> <!-- // END Intro Text -->

<p><img src="/" alt="Land cover maps from 2001 and 2019 in the Houston Metropolitan Area"></p><!-- BEGIN Intro Text --> <p>Researchers at 草榴社区 (UAH) have employed a NASA open-source program to reveal that disadvantaged populations may be subject to greater heat stress and poor air quality.</p> <!-- // END Intro Text --> 2024-11-04T14:14:48-06:00 2024-11-04T14:14:48-06:00 /science/departments/atmospheric-earth-science/news/19072-transforming-earth-science-dr-jun-wang-2024-agu-joanne-simpson-medal-winner Paola Pinto

<p><img src="//images/colleges/science/earth-system-science/1.jpg" alt="Dr. Jun Wang Photo Credit: University of Iowa" width="1440" height="810" loading="lazy"></p><p>Dr. Jun Wang, a University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) alumni and leading scientist at the University of Iowa, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 <a href="https://www.agu.org/honors/simpson">American Geophysical Union (AGU) Joanne Simpson Medal</a> for his exceptional contributions to Earth and space science. This honor reflects Wang's significant achievements in remote sensing and atmospheric research. He will receive the medal at the AGU鈥檚 annual meeting and will be inducted into the AGU College of Fellows in early December 2024 in Washington, D.C.</p> <p>The AGU Joanne Simpson Medal celebrates mid-career scientists who have made transformative scientific advances and demonstrated leadership in their fields. This medal highlights Wang鈥檚 groundbreaking work in the remote sensing of aerosols and fires, particularly through the development of advanced satellite algorithms.&nbsp;</p> <p>Wang completed his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science at <a href="/science/departments/atmospheric-earth-science">UAH鈥檚 Department of Atmospheric and Earth Sciences</a> (AES) in 2005. The program at UAH is very rigorous," Wang mentions. "But it equips you with everything you need to advance your career in research and leadership within the scientific community." During his time at UAH, he was also actively involved in numerous projects at the <a href="/essc">Earth System Science Center </a>(ESSC), working closely with professors and researchers. This experience played a crucial role in shaping his career, providing him with the training and mentorship that laid the groundwork for his future work.</p> <p>During his doctoral studies at UAH, Wang focused on the study of fire emissions and their impact on air quality and climate. This research was conducted in collaboration with faculty members from the AES Department and the ESSC, including Dr. Sundar Christopher, Professor and King-McDonald Eminent Scholar Chair in Atmospheric and Earth Science. These collaborations were instrumental in Wang's development as a scientist, providing him with opportunities to work on cutting-edge research and engage with a network of experts in atmospheric science. The ESSC provided a unique environment for interdisciplinary research, where working on various projects allowed him to gain invaluable experience in satellite data analysis and atmospheric modeling.</p> <p>After completing his Ph.D., Wang furthered his research through a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, followed by faculty positions at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and, since 2016, at the University of Iowa. His continued connection with the UAH ESSC remains strong, as he frequently collaborates with former mentors and colleagues on research projects and proposals.</p> <p>Wang's recent work includes pioneering satellite missions and developing algorithms for passive sensing of aerosol layer height and fire combustion efficiency. His efforts in mapping aerosol plume height using the NASA DSCOVR satellite have provided new insights into aerosol dynamics and their environmental impacts.</p> <p><img src="/images/colleges/science/earth-system-science/2.jpg" alt="Dr. Jun Wang Photo Credit: University of Iowa"></p> <p><em>Dr. Jun Wang Photo Credit: University of Iowa</em></p> <p>Wang's receipt of the Joanne Simpson Medal reflects his exceptional dedication and innovative contributions to the field of atmospheric sciences. As he continues his work at the University of Iowa, Wang's journey serves as an inspiration to future generations of researchers.</p>

<p><img src="//images/colleges/science/earth-system-science/1.jpg" alt="Dr. Jun Wang Photo Credit: University of Iowa" width="1440" height="810" loading="lazy"></p><p>Dr. Jun Wang, a University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) alumni and leading scientist at the University of Iowa, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 <a href="https://www.agu.org/honors/simpson">American Geophysical Union (AGU) Joanne Simpson Medal</a> for his exceptional contributions to Earth and space science. This honor reflects Wang's significant achievements in remote sensing and atmospheric research. He will receive the medal at the AGU鈥檚 annual meeting and will be inducted into the AGU College of Fellows in early December 2024 in Washington, D.C.</p> <p>The AGU Joanne Simpson Medal celebrates mid-career scientists who have made transformative scientific advances and demonstrated leadership in their fields. This medal highlights Wang鈥檚 groundbreaking work in the remote sensing of aerosols and fires, particularly through the development of advanced satellite algorithms.&nbsp;</p> <p>Wang completed his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science at <a href="/science/departments/atmospheric-earth-science">UAH鈥檚 Department of Atmospheric and Earth Sciences</a> (AES) in 2005. The program at UAH is very rigorous," Wang mentions. "But it equips you with everything you need to advance your career in research and leadership within the scientific community." During his time at UAH, he was also actively involved in numerous projects at the <a href="/essc">Earth System Science Center </a>(ESSC), working closely with professors and researchers. This experience played a crucial role in shaping his career, providing him with the training and mentorship that laid the groundwork for his future work.</p> <p>During his doctoral studies at UAH, Wang focused on the study of fire emissions and their impact on air quality and climate. This research was conducted in collaboration with faculty members from the AES Department and the ESSC, including Dr. Sundar Christopher, Professor and King-McDonald Eminent Scholar Chair in Atmospheric and Earth Science. These collaborations were instrumental in Wang's development as a scientist, providing him with opportunities to work on cutting-edge research and engage with a network of experts in atmospheric science. The ESSC provided a unique environment for interdisciplinary research, where working on various projects allowed him to gain invaluable experience in satellite data analysis and atmospheric modeling.</p> <p>After completing his Ph.D., Wang furthered his research through a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, followed by faculty positions at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and, since 2016, at the University of Iowa. His continued connection with the UAH ESSC remains strong, as he frequently collaborates with former mentors and colleagues on research projects and proposals.</p> <p>Wang's recent work includes pioneering satellite missions and developing algorithms for passive sensing of aerosol layer height and fire combustion efficiency. His efforts in mapping aerosol plume height using the NASA DSCOVR satellite have provided new insights into aerosol dynamics and their environmental impacts.</p> <p><img src="/images/colleges/science/earth-system-science/2.jpg" alt="Dr. Jun Wang Photo Credit: University of Iowa"></p> <p><em>Dr. Jun Wang Photo Credit: University of Iowa</em></p> <p>Wang's receipt of the Joanne Simpson Medal reflects his exceptional dedication and innovative contributions to the field of atmospheric sciences. As he continues his work at the University of Iowa, Wang's journey serves as an inspiration to future generations of researchers.</p>