Sciences and Exploration Directorate

Alek Aaron Petty

(ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST)

Alek Aaron Petty's Contact Card & Information.
Email: alek.a.petty@nasa.gov
Phone: 301.614.6120
Org Code: 606.2
Address:
NASA/GSFC
 Mail Code 606.2
 Greenbelt, MD 20771
Employer: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

Brief Bio

Alek Petty is an Associate Research Scientist at the University of Maryland; specializing in polar sea ice variability.


Alek graduated with an M.Sci in Physics from the University of Bristol in 2010, and a PhD in Climate Science from University College London in 2014. His PhD research involved modeling the sea ice and ocean surrounding Antarctica. His postdoctoral studies extended this research approach to include the remote sensing of Arctic and Southern Ocean sea ice across scales. Alek's research approach now involves utilizing a combination of polar remote sensing data and models to improve our understanding of the polar regions and the wider climate system.


For the most up-to-date research accomplishments, please see his personal website: www.alekpetty.com.

Research Interests

Polar sea ice variability

Earth Science: Sea Ice

Alek's research is focussed on improving our understanding of polar sea ice; the physics governing its (thermodynamic & dynamic) evolution, the factors contributing to its spatial and temporal variability, and its coupling with the atmosphere and ocean. His research approach involves sea ice and coupled climate models models (of varying complexity) and remote sensing data (airborne and satellite sensors). Recent research foci include:

  • Remote sensing of sea ice (freeboard, thickness, concentration, roughness)
  • Sea ice predictions (seasonal forecasts and long-term projections)
  • Sea ice dynamics and momentum transfer
  • Idealized and high-resolution sea ice modeling
  • Snow on sea ice
  • Extreme events in the polar regions
  • Linkages between sea ice, ice sheets and global climate

Alek is a strong proponent of open science and strives to make this a continued focus of his research approach (e.g. github.com/akpetty).

Positions/Employment

Associate Research Scientist

Earth Systems Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC), University of Maryland - NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

July 2020 - Present

Assistant Research Scientist

Earth Systems Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC), University of Maryland - NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

July 2017 - June 2020

Research Associate

Earth Systems Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC), University of Maryland - NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

October 2015 - June 2017

Research Associate

Earth Systems Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC), University of Maryland, - NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction (NCWCP)

February 2014 - September 2015

Education

Ph.D. Climate Science, University College London, London, UK, 2010-2014 (Thesis: Sea ice and the ocean mixed layer over the Antarctic continental shelf, Supervisors: Daniel L. Feltham and Paul R. Holland)

M.Sci Physics, University of Bristol, 2006-2010.

Contact Us

Jocelyn Lynch
Project Support Specialist
301-286-6066
jocelyn.m.lynch@nasa.gov
Ellie Jeffries
Project Support Specialist
301-286-6066
ellen.e.jeffries@nasa.gov

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