Sciences and Exploration Directorate

M. Leila Mays (Markus) (she/her)

(RSCH AST, SOLAR & SOLAR TRSTRL STD)

 m.leila.mays@nasa.gov

 301.286.1999

Org Code: 674

NASA/GSFC
Mail Code: 674
Greenbelt, MD 20771

Employer: NASA

Brief Bio


Research Interests:

CME kinematics and propagation, solar energetic particles, space weather, validation

Current projects:

Understanding the propagation of interplanetary CMEs. Modeling SEPs throughout the heliosphere.

With the CCMC (Community Coordinated Modeling Center): Onboarding of heliosphere and SEP models, ENLIL model validation, development of ensemble ENLIL CME modeling system, coupling of SEP models with global heliospheric models, co-leading world-wide community validation of CME arrival time, Flare and SEP predictions, development of space weather analysis tools.

Education


Ph.D. physics, University of Texas at Austin, Institute for Fusion Studies., 2009
B.S. physics (with high honors) and astronomy, University of
Maryland, College Park, 2004

Awards


NASA Group Honor Award - Group Achievement: Community Coordinated Modeling Center (2018)
NASA Group Honor Award - Exceptional Achievement for Science: Solar Dynamics Observatory Team (2015)
NASA Group Honor Award - Exceptional Achievement Customer Service Team: Space Weather Research Center (2014)
NASA Heliophysics Science Division Peer Award recognition for superior performance (2013)
NASA Group Honor Award - Group Achievement: SDO Science Investigation Teams (2013)
NASA Group Honor Award - Group Achievement: NASA Transit of Venus Outreach Team (2013)
UMD Institute for Physical Science and Technology Monroe Martin Prize for Undergraduate Research in Physics (2004)

Publications


Refereed

Temmer, M., C. Scolini, I. G. Richardson, et al. S. G. Heinemann, E. Paouris, A. Vourlidas, M. M. Bisi, N. Al-Haddad, T. Amerstorfer, L. Barnard, D. Burešová, S. Hofmeister, K. Iwai, B. Jackson, R. Jarolim, L. Jian, J. Linker, N. Lugaz, P. Manoharan, M. Mays, W. Mishra, M. Owens, E. Palmerio, B. Perri, J. Pomoell, R. Pinto, E. Samara, T. Singh, D. Sur, C. Verbeke, A. Veronig, and B. Zhuang. 2023. CME Propagation Through the Heliosphere: Status and Future of Observations and Model Development Advances in Space Research [10.1016/j.asr.2023.07.003]

Richardson, I. G., M. L. Mays, and B. J. Thompson. 2018. Prediction of Solar Energetic Particle Event Peak Proton Intensity Using a Simple Algorithm Based on CME Speed and Direction and Observations of Associated Solar Phenomena Space Weather 16 (11): 1862-1881 [10.1029/2018sw002032]

Lee, C. O., B. M. Jakosky, J. G. Luhmann, et al. D. A. Brain, M. L. Mays, D. M. Hassler, M. Holmström, D. E. Larson, D. L. Mitchell, C. Mazelle, and J. S. Halekas. 2018. Observations and Impacts of the 10 September 2017 Solar Events at Mars: An Overview and Synthesis of the Initial Results Geophysical Research Letters [10.1029/2018gl079162]

Guo, J., M. Dumbović, R. F. Wimmer-Schweingruber, et al. M. Temmer, H. Lohf, Y. Wang, A. Veronig, D. M. Hassler, L. M. Mays, C. Zeitlin, B. Ehresmann, O. Witasse, J. L. Freiherr von Forstner, B. Heber, M. Holmström, and A. Posner. 2018. Modeling the Evolution and Propagation of 10 September 2017 CMEs and SEPs Arriving at Mars Constrained by Remote Sensing and In Situ Measurement Space Weather [10.1029/2018sw001973]

Riley, P., L. Mays, J. Andries, et al. T. Amerstorfer, D. A. Biesecker, V. Delouille, M. Dumbović, X. Feng, E. Henley, J. Linker, C. Möstl, M. Nuñez, V. Pizzo, M. Temmer, W. K. Tobiska, C. Verbeke, M. J. West, and X. Zhao. 2018. Forecasting the Arrival Time of Coronal Mass Ejections: Analysis of the CCMC CME Scoreboard Space Weather [10.1029/2018sw001962]

Amerstorfer, T., C. Möstl, P. Hess, et al. M. Temmer, M. L. Mays, M. A. Reiss, P. Lowrance, and P.-A. Bourdin. 2018. Ensemble Prediction of a Halo Coronal Mass Ejection Using Heliospheric Imagers Space Weather 16 (7): 784-801 [10.1029/2017sw001786]

Luhmann, J. G., M. L. Mays, Y. Li, et al. C. O. Lee, H. Bain, D. Odstrcil, R. A. Mewaldt, C. M. Cohen, D. Larson, and G. Petrie. 2018. Shock Connectivity and the Late Cycle 24 Solar Energetic Particle Events in July and September 2017 Space Weather 16 (5): 557-568 [10.1029/2018sw001860]

Winslow, R. M., N. A. Schwadron, N. Lugaz, et al. J. Guo, C. J. Joyce, A. P. Jordan, J. K. Wilson, H. E. Spence, D. J. Lawrence, R. F. Wimmer-Schweingruber, and M. L. Mays. 2018. Opening a Window on ICME-driven GCR Modulation in the Inner Solar System The Astrophysical Journal 856 (2): 139 [10.3847/1538-4357/aab098]

Wold, A. M., M. L. Mays, A. Taktakishvili, et al. L. K. Jian, D. Odstrcil, and P. MacNeice. 2018. Verification of real-time WSA−ENLIL+Cone simulations of CME arrival-time at the CCMC from 2010 to 2016 Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate 8 A17 [10.1051/swsc/2018005]

Dumbović, M., J. Čalogović, B. Vršnak, et al. M. Temmer, M. L. Mays, A. Veronig, and I. Piantschitsch. 2018. The Drag-based Ensemble Model (DBEM) for Coronal Mass Ejection Propagation The Astrophysical Journal 854 (2): 180 [10.3847/1538-4357/aaaa66]

Schwadron, N. A., F. Rahmanifard, J. Wilson, et al. A. P. Jordan, H. E. Spence, C. J. Joyce, J. B. Blake, A. W. Case, W. de Wet, W. M. Farrell, J. C. Kasper, M. D. Looper, N. Lugaz, J. E. Mazur, L. Mays, J. Niehof, N. Petro, C. W. Smith, L. W. Townsend, R. Winslow, and C. Zeitlin. 2018. Update on the Worsening Particle Radiation Environment Observed by CRaTER and Implications for Future Human Deep-Space Exploration Space Weather 16 (3): 289-303 [10.1002/2017sw001803]

Rouillard, A., B. Lavraud, V. Génot, et al. M. Bouchemit, N. Dufourg, I. Plotnikov, R. Pinto, E. Sanchez-Diaz, M. Lavarra, M. Penou, C. Jacquey, N. André, S. Caussarieu, J.-P. Toniutti, D. Popescu, E. Buchlin, S. Caminade, P. Alingery, J. Davies, D. Odstrcil, and L. Mays. 2017. A propagation tool to connect remote-sensing observations with in-situ measurements of heliospheric structures Planetary and Space Science 147 61-77 [10.1016/j.pss.2017.07.001]

Witasse, O., B. Sánchez-Cano, M. L. Mays, et al. P. Kajdič, H. Opgenoorth, H. A. Elliott, I. G. Richardson, I. Zouganelis, J. Zender, R. F. Wimmer-Schweingruber, L. Turc, M. G. Taylor, E. Roussos, A. Rouillard, I. Richter, J. D. Richardson, R. Ramstad, G. Provan, A. Posner, J. J. Plaut, D. Odstrcil, H. Nilsson, P. Niemenen, S. E. Milan, K. Mandt, H. Lohf, M. Lester, J.-P. Lebreton, E. Kuulkers, N. Krupp, C. Koenders, M. K. James, D. Intzekara, M. Holmstrom, D. M. Hassler, B. E. Hall, J. Guo, R. Goldstein, C. Goetz, K. H. Glassmeier, V. Génot, H. Evans, J. Espley, N. J. Edberg, M. Dougherty, S. W. Cowley, J. Burch, E. Behar, S. Barabash, D. J. Andrews, and N. Altobelli. 2017. Interplanetary coronal mass ejection observed at STEREO-A, Mars, comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, Saturn, and New Horizons en route to Pluto: Comparison of its Forbush decreases at 1.4, 3.1, and 9.9 AU Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 122 (8): 7865-7890 [10.1002/2017ja023884]

Luhmann, J. G., M. L. Mays, D. Odstrcil, et al. Y. Li, H. Bain, C. O. Lee, A. B. Galvin, R. A. Mewaldt, C. M. Cohen, R. A. Leske, D. Larson, and Y. Futaana. 2017. Modeling solar energetic particle events using ENLIL heliosphere simulations Space Weather 15 (7): 934-954 [10.1002/2017sw001617]

Sánchez-Cano, B., B. E. Hall, M. Lester, et al. M. L. Mays, O. Witasse, R. Ambrosi, D. Andrews, M. Cartacci, A. Cicchetti, M. Holmström, S. Imber, P. Kajdič, S. E. Milan, R. Noschese, D. Odstrcil, H. Opgenoorth, J. Plaut, R. Ramstad, and K. I. Reyes-Ayala. 2017. Mars plasma system response to solar wind disturbances during solar minimum Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 122 (6): 6611-6634 [10.1002/2016ja023587]

Lario, D., R.-Y. Kwon, I. G. Richardson, et al. N. E. Raouafi, B. J. Thompson, T. T. Rosenvinge, M. L. Mays, P. A. Mäkelä, H. Xie, H. M. Bain, M. Zhang, L. Zhao, H. V. Cane, A. Papaioannou, N. Thakur, and P. Riley. 2017. The Solar Energetic Particle Event of 2010 August 14: Connectivity with the Solar Source Inferred from Multiple Spacecraft Observations and Modeling The Astrophysical Journal 838 (1): 51 [10.3847/1538-4357/aa63e4]

Savani, N. P., A. Vourlidas, I. G. Richardson, et al. A. Szabo, B. J. Thompson, A. Pulkkinen, M. L. Mays, T. Nieves-Chinchilla, and V. Bothmer. 2017. Predicting the magnetic vectors within coronal mass ejections arriving at Earth: 2. Geomagnetic response Space Weather 15 (2): 441-461 [10.1002/2016sw001458]

Jian, L. K., P. J. MacNeice, M. L. Mays, et al. A. Taktakishvili, D. Odstrcil, B. Jackson, H.-S. Yu, P. Riley, and I. V. Sokolov. 2016. Validation for global solar wind prediction using Ulysses comparison: Multiple coronal and heliospheric models installed at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center Space Weather 14 (8): 592-611 [10.1002/2016sw001435]

Dewey, R. M., D. N. Baker, M. L. Mays, et al. D. A. Brain, B. M. Jakosky, J. S. Halekas, J. E. Connerney, D. Odstrcil, J. G. Luhmann, and C. O. Lee. 2016. Continuous solar wind forcing knowledge: Providing continuous conditions at Mars with the WSA-ENLIL + Cone model Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 121 (7): 6207-6222 [10.1002/2015ja021941]

Winslow, R. M., N. Lugaz, N. A. Schwadron, et al. C. J. Farrugia, W. Yu, J. M. Raines, M. L. Mays, A. B. Galvin, and T. H. Zurbuchen. 2016. Longitudinal conjunction between MESSENGER and STEREO A: Development of ICME complexity through stream interactions Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 121 (7): 6092–6106 [10.1002/2015ja022307]

Bain, H. M., M. L. Mays, J. G. Luhmann, et al. Y. Li, L. K. Jian, and D. Odstrcil. 2016. Shock Connectivity in the August 2010 and July 2012 Solar Energetic Particle Events inferred from Observations and ENLIL Modeling The Astrophysical Journal 825 (1): 1 [10.3847/0004-637x/825/1/1]

Mays, M. L., B. J. Thompson, L. K. Jian, et al. R. C. Colaninno, D. Odstrcil, C. Möstl, M. Temmer, N. P. Savani, G. Collinson, A. Taktakishvili, P. J. MacNeice, and Y. Zheng. 2015. PROPAGATION OF THE 2014 JANUARY 7 CME AND RESULTING GEOMAGNETIC NON-EVENT The Astrophysical Journal 812 (2): 145 [10.1088/0004-637x/812/2/145]

Möstl, C., T. Rollett, R. A. Frahm, et al. Y. D. Liu, D. M. Long, R. C. Colaninno, M. A. Reiss, M. Temmer, C. J. Farrugia, A. Posner, M. Dumbović, M. Janvier, P. Démoulin, P. Boakes, A. Devos, E. Kraaikamp, M. L. Mays, and B. Vršnak. 2015. Strong coronal channelling and interplanetary evolution of a solar storm up to Earth and Mars Nat Comms 6 7135 [10.1038/ncomms8135]

Mays, M. L., A. Taktakishvili, A. Pulkkinen, et al. P. J. MacNeice, L. Rastätter, D. Odstrcil, L. K. Jian, I. G. Richardson, J. A. LaSota, Y. Zheng, and M. M. Kuznetsova. 2015. Ensemble Modeling of CMEs Using the WSA–ENLIL+Cone Model Sol Phys 290 (6): 1775-1814 [10.1007/s11207-015-0692-1]

Savani, N. P., A. Vourlidas, A. Szabo, et al. M. L. Mays, I. G. Richardson, B. J. Thompson, A. Pulkkinen, R. Evans, and T. Nieves-Chinchilla. 2015. Predicting the magnetic vectors within coronal mass ejections arriving at Earth: 1. Initial architecture Space Weather 13 374 [10.1002/2015SW001171]

Vršnak, B., M. Temmer, T. Žic, et al. A. Taktakishvili, M. Dumbović, C. Möstl, A. M. Veronig, M. L. Mays, and D. Odstrčil. 2014. HELIOSPHERIC PROPAGATION OF CORONAL MASS EJECTIONS: COMPARISON OF NUMERICAL WSA-ENLIL+CONE MODEL AND ANALYTICAL DRAG-BASED MODEL The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series 213 (2): 21 [10.1088/0067-0049/213/2/21]

Evans, R., A. A. Pulkkinen, Y. Zheng, et al. M. L. Mays, A. Taktakishvili, M. M. Kuznetsova, and M. Hesse. 2013. The SCORE Scale: A Coronal Mass Ejection Typification System Based on Speed Space Weather [10.1002/swe.20058]

Baker, D. N., X. Li, A. Pulkkinen, et al. C. M. Ngwira, M. L. Mays, A. B. Galvin, and K. D. Simunac. 2013. A major solar eruptive event in July 2012: Defining extreme space weather scenarios SPACE WEATHER-THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS 11 585-591 [10.1002/swe.20097]

Ngwira, C. M., A. Pulkkinen, M. L. Mays, et al. M. M. Kuznetsova, A. B. Galvin, K. Simunac, D. N. Baker, X. Li, Y. Zheng, and A. Glocer. 2013. Simulation of the 23 July 2012 extreme space weather event: What if this extremely rare CME was Earth directed? SPACE WEATHER-THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS 11 671-679

Rastaetter, L., M. M. Kuznetsova, A. Glocer, et al. D. Welling, X. Meng, J. Raeder, M. Wiltberger, V. K. Jordanova, Y. Yu, S. Zaharia, R. S. Weigel, S. Sazykin, R. Boynton, H. Wei, V. Eccles, W. Horton, M. L. Mays, and J. Gannon. 2013. Geospace environment modeling 2008-2009 challenge: D-st index SPACE WEATHER-THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS 11 187-205 [10.1002/swe.20036]

Gilbert, H. R., A. R. Inglis, M. L. Mays, et al. L. Ofman, B. J. Thompson, and C. A. Young. 2013. Energy Release from Impacting Prominence Material Following the 2011 June 7 Eruption The Astrophysical Journal 776 [L12-10.1088/2041-8205/776/1/L12]

Rastätter, L., M. Kuznetsova, A. Glocer, et al. D. Welling, X. Meng, J. Raeder, M. Wiltberger, V. K. Jordanova, Y. Yu, S. Zaharia, R. S. Weigel, S. Sazykin, R. Boynton, H. Wei, V. Eccles, W. Horton, M. L. Mays, and J. Gannon. 2013. Geospace environment modeling 2008–2009 challenge: Dst index Space Weather 11 [10.1002/swe.20036]

Andriyas, T., E. Spencer, A. Raj, J. Sojka, and M. L. Mays. 2012. Forecasting the Dst index during corotating interaction region events using synthesized solar wind parameters Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 117 (A3): [10.1029/2011ja017018]

Xie, H. N., D. Odstrcil, L. Mays, et al. O. C. St Cyr, N. Gopalswamy, and H. Cremades. 2012. Understanding shock dynamics in the inner heliosphere with modeling and Type II radio data: The 2010-04-03 event Journal of Geophysical Research (Space Physics) 117 4105 [10.1029/2011JA017304]

Spencer, E., P. Kasturi, S. Patra, W. Horton, and M. L. Mays. 2011. Influence of solar wind-magnetosphere coupling functions on the Dst index Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 116 (A12): [10.1029/2011ja016780]

Thompson, B. J., S. E. Gibson, P. C. Schroeder, et al. D. F. Webb, C. N. Arge, M. M. Bisi, G. de Toma, B. A. Emery, A. B. Galvin, D. A. Haber, B. V. Jackson, E. A. Jensen, R. J. Leamon, J. Lei, P. K. Manoharan, M. L. Mays, P. S. McIntosh, G. J. Petrie, S. P. Plunkett, L. Qian, P. Riley, S. T. Suess, M. Tokumaru, B. T. Welsch, and T. N. Woods. 2011. A Snapshot of the Sun Near Solar Minimum: The Whole Heliosphere Interval Sol Phys 274 (1-2): 29-56 [10.1007/s11207-011-9891-6]

Mays, M. L., W. Horton, E. Spencer, and J. Kozyra. 2009. Real-time predictions of geomagnetic storms and substorms: Use of the Solar Wind Magnetosphere-Ionosphere System model Space Weather 7 (7): [10.1029/2008sw000459]

Spencer, E., A. Rao, W. Horton, and M. L. Mays. 2009. Evaluation of solar wind-magnetosphere coupling functions during geomagnetic storms with the WINDMI model Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 114 (A2): [10.1029/2008ja013530]

Brady, P., T. Ditmire, W. Horton, M. L. Mays, and Y. Zakharov. 2009. Laboratory experiments simulating solar wind driven magnetospheres Phys. Plasmas 16 (4): 043112 [10.1063/1.3085786]

Kaladze, T. D., W. Horton, T. W. Garner, J. W. Van Dam, and M. L. Mays. 2008. A method for the intensification of atomic oxygen green line emission by internal gravity waves Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 113 (A12): [10.1029/2008ja013425]

Mays, M. L., W. Horton, J. Kozyra, et al. T. H. Zurbuchen, C. Huang, and E. Spencer. 2007. Effect of Interplanetary Shocks on the AL and Dst Indices Geophysical Research Letters 34 (11): L11104 [10.1029/2007gl029844]

Spencer, E., W. Horton, M. L. Mays, I. Doxas, and J. Kozyra. 2007. Analysis of the 3-7 October 2000 and 15-24 April 2002 geomagnetic storms with an optimized nonlinear dynamical model Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 112 (A4): [10.1029/2006ja012019]

Mays, M. L., O. C. St. Cyr, E. Quémerais, et al. S. Ferron, J.-L. Bertaux, S. Yashiro, and R. Howard. 2007. An Attempt to Detect Coronal Mass Ejections in Lyman-α Using SOHO Swan Solar Physics 241 (1): 113-125 [10.1007/s11207-007-0196-8]