Erica L McGrath-Spangler
(Senior Research Scientist)
| Email: | erica.l.mcgrath-spangler@nasa.gov |
| Phone: | 301.614.5838 |
| Org Code: | 610.1 |
| Address: |
NASA/GSFC Mail Code 610.1 Greenbelt, MD 20771 |
| Employer: | MORGAN STATE UNIV. |
Positions/Employment
Senior Research Scientist
Morgan State University/GESTAR II - Greenbelt, MD
December 2021 - Present
Research Scientist
Universities Space Research Association/GESTAR - Greenbelt, MD
June 2012 - November 2021
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University - Fort Collins, CO
August 2005 - June 2012
Education
Colorado State University - Fort Collins, CO
Ph.D. Atmospheric Science
Thesis: Importance of Boundary Layer Entrainment for Surface Fluxes over Land
Colorado State University - Fort Collins, CO
M.S. Atmospheric Science
Thesis: Entrainment Effects of Overshooting Thermals on Land-Atmosphere Interactions
University of Wisconsin - Madison, WI
B.S. Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences
B.S. Mathematics
Selected Publications
Refereed
2026. "Utilizing PBL Height Data From Multiple Observing Systems in the GEOS System. Part II: Assessment of PBL Height Data.", Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 131 (3): e2025JD044701 [https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JD044701] [Journal Article/Letter]
2025. "Impact of assimilating SMAP observations over land on tropical cyclone representation: A case study of Tropical Cyclone Idai.", Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 151 (772): e5018 [10.1002/qj.5018] [Journal Article/Letter]
2025. "Examining the Complementarity of GEO and LEO Hyperspectral Infrared Sounders for NWP.", Earth and Space Science, 12 (3): e2024EA003965 [https://doi.org/10.1029/2024EA003965] [Journal Article/Letter]
2025. "Utilizing PBL Height Data from Multiple Observing Systems in the GEOS System. Part I: Assimilation Framework.", Monthly Weather Review, 153 (3): 403-423 [10.1175/mwr-d-24-0141.1] [Journal Article/Letter]
2024. "Impacts of an Early Morning Low Earth Orbit Observing Platform in a Future Global Observing Network Scenario.", Tellus-A, 76 (1): 227-249 [https://doi.org/10.16993/tellusa.4080] [Journal Article/Letter]
2024. "Using OSSEs to Evaluate GXS Impact in the Context of International Coordination.", Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 41 (3): 261-278 [10.1175/jtech-d-23-0141.1] [Journal Article/Letter]
2023. "Robustness of Observing System Simulation Experiments.", Tellus A: Dynamic Meteorology and Oceanography, 75 (1): 309-333 [10.16993/tellusa.3254] [Journal Article/Letter]
2022. "Using OSSEs to Evaluate the Impacts of Geostationary Infrared Sounders.", Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 39 (12): 1903-1918 [https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-22-0033.1] [Journal Article/Letter]
2022. "Impact of assimilating adaptively thinned AIRS cloud-cleared radiances on the analysis of Polar Lows and Mediterranean Sea Tropical-like Cyclone in a global modeling and data assimilation framework.", Weather and Forecasting, 37 (7): 1117–1134 [10.1175/waf-d-21-0068.1] [Journal Article/Letter]
2021. "Sensitivity of low tropospheric Arctic temperatures to assimilation of AIRS cloud‐cleared radiances: Impact on mid‐latitude waves.", Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 147 (741): 4032-4047 [10.1002/qj.4166] [Journal Article/Letter]
2018. "Analysis of the Planetary Boundary Layer Height during DISCOVER-AQ Baltimore–Washington, D.C., with Lidar and High-Resolution WRF Modeling.", Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 57 (11): 2679-2696 [10.1175/jamc-d-18-0014.1] [Journal Article/Letter]
2018. "Impact of adaptively thinned AIRS cloud-cleared radiances on tropical cyclone representation in a global data assimilation and forecast system.", Weather and Forecasting, 33 (4): 908-931 [10.1175/waf-d-17-0175.1] [Journal Article/Letter]
2015. "Impact of planetary boundary layer turbulence on model climate and tracer transport.", Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15 (13): 7269-7286 [10.5194/acp-15-7269-2015] [Journal Article/Letter]
2014. "Comparison of GEOS-5 AGCM planetary boundary layer depths computed with various definitions.", Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14 (13): 6717-6727 [Full Text] [10.5194/acp-14-6717-2014] [Journal Article/Letter]
2013. "Global seasonal variations of midday planetary boundary layer depth from CALIPSO space-borne LIDAR.", J. Geophys. Res. Atmos., 118 (3): 1226–1233 [Full Text] [10.1002/jgrd.50198] [Journal Article/Letter]
2012. "Estimates of North American summertime planetary boundary layer depths derived from space-borne lidar.", J. Geophys. Res., 117 (D15): D15101 [Full Text] [10.1029/2012JD017615] [Journal Article/Letter]
2011. "Assessment of a constructivist-motivated mentoring program to enhance the teaching skills of atmospheric science graduate students.", J. College Science Teaching, 41 (2): 72-81 [Journal Article/Letter]
2010. "Impact of entrainment from overshooting thermals on land-atmosphere interactions during summer 1999.", Tellus B, 62 (5): 441-454 [Full Text] [10.1111/j.1600-0889.2010.00482.x] [Journal Article/Letter]
2009. "Sensitivity of land-atmosphere exchanges to overshooting PBL thermals in an idealized coupled model.", J. Adv. Model. Earth Syst., 1 (14): 13pp [Full Text] [10.3894/JAMES.2009.1.14] [Journal Article/Letter]
Teaching Experience
Spring 2010 Air: Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry (EV 431)
Co-taught course for upper level undergraduate students covering mid-latitude cyclone development, geostrophic flow, atmospheric structure, and other aspects of atmospheric science
Colorado State University - Fort Collins, CO
2007-2009, 2011 Weather and Climate for Teachers
Assisted in summer workshops to teach basic atmospheric physics to secondary school teachers
Colorado State University - Fort Collins, CO
Fall 2008 Introduction to Climate (ATS 606)
Teaching Assistant wrote and graded homework, held office hours, led several lectures, and led review sessions
University of Wisconsin - Madison, WI
2003 – 2005 Tutor for the UW athletic department
Tutored atmospheric and oceanic science classes for athletes
Awards
2008 – 2011 NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship
2009 8th International Carbon Dioxide Conference poster award
2005 – 2006 American Meteorological Society Fellowship
2005 – 2006 Colorado State Graduate Fellowship
2004 – 2005 Wisconsin/Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship
2004 Horn Award for excellence in overall performance as an undergraduate in the department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Grants
Global Planetary Boundary Layer Depth Trends and the Impact on Atmospheric Aerosols and Greenhouse Gases
Atmospheric Composition: Modeling and Analysis - NASA - Awarded: 2015-02-13
Dates: 2015-01-30 - 2018-01-29
Coverage: 0.5
Understanding Spatiotemporal Variability in Urban Mixed Layer Heights through Observations and Modeling
NASA/Atmospheric Composition Campaign Data Analysis and Modeling - NASA - Awarded: 2014-10-01
Dates: 2014-10-01 - 2017-09-30
Coverage: 0.2
Using AIRS and CrIS data to understand processes affecting tropical cyclone structure in a global data assimilation and forecasting framework
The Science of TERRA, AQUA, and SUOMI NPP - NASA (NNH17ZDA001N-TASNPP) - Awarded: 2018-06-26
Dates: 2018-05-15 - 2021-05-14
Coverage: 1.0
The impact of assimilating SMAP soil moisture on the prediction of tropical cyclone structure and precipitation in proximity to land, and after landfall
The Soil Moisture Active-Passive Mission Science Team - NASA - Awarded: 2020-10-01
Dates: 2020-11-01 - 2023-10-31
Coverage: 0.2
Other Professional Information
h-index: 7
13 total publications
Talks, Presentations and Posters
Invited
Global Seasonal Variations of Planetary Boundary Layer Depth
October 2013
School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at Stony Brook University
Importance of Boundary Layer Entrainment for CO2 Fluxes Over Land
September 2012
Department of Atmospheric Science at the University of Maryland
Importance of Boundary Layer Entrainment for Surface Fluxes Over Land
December 2011
Naval Research Laboratory
Importance of Planetary Boundary Layer Processes on Surface Fluxes
September 2011
Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement
Importance of Planetary Boundary Layer Processes on Surface Fluxes
August 2011
University of Wisconsin, Space Science and Engineering Center
Carbon cycle reliance on the planetary boundary layer
March 2011
National Ecological Observatory Network, Inc.
Other
Professional Societies
American Geophysical Union
2007 - Present
American Meteorological Society
2016 - Present