Alexander Victor Matus
(Assistant Research Scientist)
| Email: | alexander.v.matus@nasa.gov |
| Phone: | 301.614.6774 |
| Org Code: | |
| Address: |
NASA/GSFC Mail Code 613 Greenbelt, MD 20771 |
| Employer: | UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE CO |
Brief Bio
I am an atmospheric scientist with UMBC working at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. My research focuses on global energy assessments, specifically developing long-term observational data records of radiative forcing and feedbacks. I specialize in satellite remote sensing, leveraging advanced observational techniques to enhance the quality of atmospheric measurements from NASA sensors, including CERES, MODIS, and VIIRS.
Additionally, I perform global assessments of air quality using advanced retrievals of fine particulates (PM2.5). My work experience includes managing meteorological instrumentation, including lidar, as a field engineer on research aircraft during field campaigns. I am passionate about translating complex data into actionable insights that inform decision-making, particularly within global change, renewable energy, and natural resource management applications.
Research Interests
Cloud and aerosol remote sensing
Earth Science: Solar RadiationGlobal energy budget, satellite remote sensing, air quality, public health, sustainability, aerosol transport, cloud phase, cloud/aerosol radiative effects, algorithm development, machine learning, airborne and spaceborne lidar
Current Projects
Spaceborne and Airborne Lidar
Atmospheric Profiling
- Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS)
- Cloud Physics Lidar (CPL)
- Aerosol and Cloud Lidar (ROSCOE)
Satellite and Airborne Missions
Atmospheric Measurement
- Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS)
- Asian Summer Monsoon Chemical and Climate Impact Project (ACCLIP)
- Atmospheric Observing System (AOS)
Positions/Employment
Assistant Research Scientist
UMBC/Goddard Space Flight Center - Greenbelt, MD
November 2023 - Present
NASA Postdoctoral Research Fellow
ORAU/Goddard Space Flight Center - Greenbelt, MD
November 2021 - October 2023
Postdoctoral Researcher
Space Science and Engineering Center/UW-Madison - Madison, WI
August 2017 - October 2021
Education
University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD, Atmospheric Sciences, 2017
University of Wisconsin-Madison, M.S., Atmospheric Sciences, 2013
Pennsylvania State University, B.S., Meteorology, 2009
Professional Societies
American Meteorological Society (AMS)
2007 - Present
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
2016 - Present
Global Energy and Water Exchanges (GEWEX)
2022 - Present
Publications
Refereed
2025. "Enhancing Surface PM2.5 Air Quality Estimates in GEOS Using CATS Lidar Data.", Earth and Space Science, 12 (5): [10.1029/2024ea004078] [Journal Article/Letter]
2019. "Reassessing the Effect of Cloud Type on Earth’s Energy Balance in the Age of Active Spaceborne Observations. Part II: Atmospheric Heating.", Journal of Climate, 32 (19): 6219-6236 [10.1175/jcli-d-18-0754.1] [Journal Article/Letter]
2019. "Reassessing the Effect of Cloud Type on Earth’s Energy Balance in the Age of Active Spaceborne Observations. Part I: Top of Atmosphere and Surface.", Journal of Climate, 32 (19): 6197-6217 [10.1175/jcli-d-18-0753.1] [Journal Article/Letter]
2019. "New Estimates of Aerosol Direct Radiative Effects and Forcing From A‐Train Satellite Observations.", Geophysical Research Letters, 46 (14): 8338-8346 [10.1029/2019gl083656] [Journal Article/Letter]
2019. "Observation‐Based Radiative Kernels From CloudSat/CALIPSO.", Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 124 5431– 5444 [10.1029/2018jd029021] [Journal Article/Letter]
2017. "The Role of Cloud Phase in Earth's Radiation Budget.", Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 122 (5): 2559-2578 [10.1002/2016jd025951] [Journal Article/Letter]
2015. "The Role of Clouds in Modulating Global Aerosol Direct Radiative Effects in Spaceborne Active Observations and the Community Earth System Model.", Journal of Climate, 28 (8): 2986-3003 [10.1175/jcli-d-14-00426.1] [Journal Article/Letter]