Current Research Interests

• Studies of the planetary boundary layer: The Earth's planetary boundary layer embodies complex interaction between the surface and the atmosphere. We are developing remote sensing technologies to explore this dynamic and thermodynamic state of the boundary layer using remote sensors such as radar, lidar, and sodar
• Development and use of unmanned aerial systems to study the Earth's lower atmosphere: Traditionally the lower atmosphere has been observed using instruments placed on the surface, towers, balloons (tethered and freely ascending), kites, piloted aircraft, and so forth. We have begun developing an instrumented remotely piloted aircraft to collect atmospheric data.
• The application of interferometry and imaging to radar systems as means of obtaining higher spatial resolution measurements of the atmosphere: Imaging and interferometry provides a means of increasing the nominal resolution of a radar and increasing the time required to collect data across a particular region of space. This is accomplished through the use of phased array antennas and/or multiple operating frequencies. These techniques are being applied to a variety of atmospheric radars, such as, wind profilers, weather radars, and upper atmospheric radars.
• Radar Aeroecology: Aeroecology is a relatively new scientific discipline that integrates diverse fields, such as atmospheric science, earth science, geography, ecology, computer science, computational biology, and engineering to broaden understanding about the ecological function and biological importance of the aerosphere. Radar aeroecology seeks to advance aeroecology through the use of radar to observe airborne animals such as birds, bats, and insects.