Dr. Amita Mehta is a Research Associate Professor and Applied Research Scientist in NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research (GESTAR-II). Amita received her M.Sc. in Physics from Gujarat University, India in 1982, and her Ph.D. in Meteorology from Florida State University in 1991. Her primary research interests and experience are in satellite remote sensing of geophysical parameters, and their analysis and applications for understanding weather, climate, and hydrologic processes; and developing methodologies and trainings for applications of remote sensing observations for environmental sustainability and management.
Amita joined NASA-GSFC in 1991 and has worked on a number of projects including outgoing longwave radiation algorithm development and data analysis for NOAA TIROS (Television Infrared Observation Satellite) Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) and Aqua Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), Analysis and applications of Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM), Remote sensing of water quality using optical remote sensing, and forest cover mapping using optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar measurements.
Amita is a lead instructor in NASA’s Applied Remote Sensing Training (ARSET) program since 2011, conducting numerous on-line and in-person trainings in applications of remote sensing data for water resources, and disaster monitoring and management. She has recently joined NASA Western Water Applications Office (WWAO) team. In 2000, she joined NASA-UMBC Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET) as a research faculty and has recently transitioned to GESTAR-II. Amita teaches senior level classes in ‘Weather and Climate’ and ‘Climate Change’ biennially at UMBC.