Drs. Keith Gendreau and Zaven Arzoumanian are the joint winners of the 2019 John C. Lindsay Award for Space Science. Keith and Zaven are being recognized for their development of the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) instrument, and the revelations of the physics of neutron stars and their environments that NICER is producing. Keith is the PI of NICER and Zaven is the Deputy PI.
Ralph Kahn to receive 2019 Nordberg Award
11.27.2019
We are thrilled to announce the selection of Ralph Kahn as the 2019 William Nordberg Memorial Award for Earth Science winner.
Ralph Kahn has dedicated most of his scientific career to studying aerosols and their major influences on air quality, aviation safety, cloud properties, and global climate. He has conducted pioneering work to greatly advance our understanding of aerosol interactions with their environment and to influence relevant research directions of GSFC, NASA, and the Earth science community as a whole. His work as MISR Aerosol Scientist has resulted in more than 15 years of global high quality aerosol observations from MISR. Ralph has validated detection algorithms of key sources of biomass burning aerosols, characterized their strength and injection heights into the atmosphere, and showed how to identify and track ash plumes from volcanic eruptions. These techniques are routinely used by aerosol scientists worldwide.
Kahn has built an enduring legacy at GSFC for his outstanding ability to build collaborations between
NASA mission teams. He has been instrumental in bringing together the aerosol teams of MISR, MODIS, CALIPSO, and OMI and urged the modeling and satellite communities to come together.
Kahn’s scientific influence is also evident in his prodigious publication record. Publication prowess is only one facet of his scientific reputation and standing. Kahn entertains a ceaseless stream of invitations for talks at scientific meetings and educational/research institutions.
Ralph also cares deeply about community outreach and mentoring early-career scientists. His educational credentials include contributions to the Encyclopedia of Remote Sensing, lending frequently his expertise for Earth Observatory stories, and being a founder and editor of PUMAS, an on-line journal providing pre-college teachers peer-reviewed enrichment material (Outstanding Education Product Award in 1999). Many of his former mentees have moved on to successful positions in academia and government.
The Sciences and Exploration Directorate is the largest Earth and space science research organization in the world. Its scientists advance understanding of the Earth and its life-sustaining environment, the Sun, the solar system, and the wider universe beyond. The Directorate is part of Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Maryland.
Researchers in the Sciences and Exploration Directorate (SED) work with engineers, computer programmers, technologists, and other team members to develop the cutting-edge technology needed for space-based research. Instruments are also deployed on aircraft, balloons, and Earth's surface.
The Directorate's researchers share their findings and data with the scientific community. Education and Public Outreach programs explain the science to students and the general public.
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General inquiries about the scientific programs at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center may be directed to the Center Office of Communications at 1.301.286.8955.
Slideshow of SED events throughout the 2019 calendar year.
Drs. Keith Gendreau and Zaven Arzoumanian are the joint winners of the 2019 John C. Lindsay Award for Space Science. Keith and Zaven are being recognized for their development of the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) instrument, and the revelations of the physics of neutron stars and their environments that NICER is producing. Keith is the PI of NICER and Zaven is the Deputy PI.
We are thrilled to announce the selection of Ralph Kahn as the 2019 William Nordberg Memorial Award for Earth Science winner.
Ralph Kahn has dedicated most of his scientific career to studying aerosols and their major influences on air quality, aviation safety, cloud properties, and global climate. He has conducted pioneering work to greatly advance our understanding of aerosol interactions with their environment and to influence relevant research directions of GSFC, NASA, and the Earth science community as a whole. His work as MISR Aerosol Scientist has resulted in more than 15 years of global high quality aerosol observations from MISR. Ralph has validated detection algorithms of key sources of biomass burning aerosols, characterized their strength and injection heights into the atmosphere, and showed how to identify and track ash plumes from volcanic eruptions. These techniques are routinely used by aerosol scientists worldwide.
Kahn has built an enduring legacy at GSFC for his outstanding ability to build collaborations between
NASA mission teams. He has been instrumental in bringing together the aerosol teams of MISR, MODIS, CALIPSO, and OMI and urged the modeling and satellite communities to come together.
Kahn’s scientific influence is also evident in his prodigious publication record. Publication prowess is only one facet of his scientific reputation and standing. Kahn entertains a ceaseless stream of invitations for talks at scientific meetings and educational/research institutions.
Ralph also cares deeply about community outreach and mentoring early-career scientists. His educational credentials include contributions to the Encyclopedia of Remote Sensing, lending frequently his expertise for Earth Observatory stories, and being a founder and editor of PUMAS, an on-line journal providing pre-college teachers peer-reviewed enrichment material (Outstanding Education Product Award in 1999). Many of his former mentees have moved on to successful positions in academia and government.
