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Dr. Sriharsha Madhavan

Photo of SRIHARSHA MADHAVAN

Dr. Sriharsha Madhavan

  • Lead Research Scientist
  • NASA/GSFC
  • Mail Code: 614
  • LANHAM , MD 20706
  • Employer: SCIENCE SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS INC

    • Brief Bio

    Research scientist and remote sensing expert with over 20 years of experience in academic research and industry support. Subject matter expertise and real world experience in developing, testing and releasing algorithms and applications that use multi-spectral remote sensing data to model atmospheric and topographical conditions. Unique combination of remote sensing engineering, atmospheric science research, instrument calibration and image processing skills.

    Research Interests

    Sensor Calibration & Applications

    Remote sensing engineering and scientific applications involving satellite-based retrieval of atmospheric properties; Radiometric calibration of satellite instruments and other aspects of image processing.

    Current Projects

    Supporting sensor calibration for 5 (NPP-J04) Ozone Monitoring Profiler Suite (OMPS)

    Working as a research scientist for OMPS Nadir and Limb Instruments and Systems development, on the SSAI Support for Atmospheres, Modeling, and Data Assimilation (SAMDA) contract, NNG17HP01C. This task supports development of OMPS Nadir and Limb instruments and systems for JPSS operations. Specific activities include analysis of prelaunch test data, evaluation of results relative to performance requirements, and evaluation of products delivered by the sensor vendor. Specifically tasked to review and analyze data on OMPS radiance and irradiance calibration, bandpass, stray light, and linearity performance.

    Positions/Employment

    4/2023 - Present

    Lead Research Scientist

    Science Systems and Applications Inc., Lanham

    Sensor Calibration Support for 5 JPSS (NPP-J04) -Ozone Monitoring Profiler Suite (OMPS) instruments

    12/2018 - 3/2023

    Sr. Research Scientist

    Science Systems and Application Inc., Lanham

    Sensor Calibration Support for NPP/N20/J02/J03-Ozone Monitoring Profiler Suite (OMPS)

    9/2017 - 11/2018

    Sr. Research Scientist

    Science Systems and Application Inc., Lanham

    Working as a Sr. Research Scientist for MODIS / S-VIIRS Level1B product evaluation. The work involves investigating the sensitivity of the immediate Level 1 / 2 science products on the calibration.

    2/2016 - 8/2017

    Sr. Research Scientist

    NOAA STAR Affiliate / Science Systems and Applications Inc., College Park

    Working as a Sr. Research Scientist for the JPSS OMPS Calibration and Validation. Supporting the activities relating to Sensor Data Record for OMPS, J01 pre-launch testing. Major contributions are mapping the dark measurements for the Nadir Mapper and Nadir Profiler from the raw counts and using the spacecraft diary information; Building of comparison tools to evaluate the geophysical changes between various software and look up table changes. Also contributed to various aspects of instrument monitoring and anomaly detection for OMPS sensor in the Integrated Calibration and Validation System (ICVS) team.

    12/2006 - 1/2016

    Sr. Instrument Engineer

    Science Systems and Application Inc., Lanham

    Working as a Sr. calibration analyst / Sr. scientific programmer. Task description: Support the design and development or analysis of active or passive remote sensing instrument systems, instrument electronics, GSE, or systems for test and calibration of space-flight sensors. Support the development of the state-of-the-art systems to validate pre- and post- flight instrument calibration and performance with respect to quality of geophysical parameter retrieval. Design, develop, test and implement software for instrument operations and data analyses. Emphasis was on MODIS instruments aboard the EOS Terra and Aqua Missions.

    8/2002 - 11/2006

    Graduate Research Assistant

    South Dakota State University, Brookings

    1. Involved in the radiometric characterization Landsat thematic mapper (TM), and development of the Landsat 4/5 Image Assessment System (TMIAS); grant funded by USGS-EROS Data Center. Tasks included data analysis, image ingest, algorithm development, software development, testing and verification. Focus area: Modeling the performance of the detectors in the TM and make suitable corrections for the detectors. These corrections were used to improve the image quality. The corrections removed residual striping in images, thereby restoring the image captured by the instrument.

    2. Project name- ALI Image Assessment System (ALIAS). The work involved radiometric characterization of all detectors in the multispectral / panchromatic bands. My focus area in the project was related to balancing the relative response of the silicon chip assemblies. The work was a joint effort with USGS-EROS Data Center and NASA-GSFC.

    3. Working knowledge and managed field campaigns on MTF (Spatial) Characterization of QuickBird and IKONOS Satellite Sensors, grant funded by NASA-Stennis Space Center.

    Teaching Experience

    • Invited guest lectures on ‘Sensor Calibration’ for course titled Physical Principles of Remote Sensing at George Mason University (Fall 2014 & 2016)
    • Teaching Assistant - Lecturer and Lab assistant for course titled “Basic Electricity and Electronics”. Lab assistant for course titled “Electric Circuit Theory-I” (South Dakota State University 2002-2003)

    Education

    Doctor of Philosophy (Earth Systems and GeoInformation Sciences), George Mason University, 2016

    Master of Science (Electrical Engineering), South Dakota State University, 2004

    Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronics Engineering), University of Madras, 2001.  

    Professional Societies

    SPIE - The International society for optics and photonics, 2012 - 2015
    Author

    Professional Service

    • Currently serving as a topical advisor in online remote sensing MDPI (2021- )
    • Served as a reviewer for Journal of Atmospheric Environment (Elsevier, 2011), Journal of Applied Remote Sensing (SPIE, 2013), Journal of Geophysical Research – Atmospheres (AGU, 2014), American Institute of Physics –Review of Scientific Instruments (AIP, 2016), IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing (2016), Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System (GSICS) Quarterly Newsletter (2017-present), Remote Sensing / Electronics Journal (MDPI, 2017-present), International Journal of Remote Sensing (Francis and Taylor Publications, 2018)

    Awards

    1. Recipient of NASA Robert H. Goddard Team Award 2023 - Exceptional Achievement for Science "for outstanding mission-critical support to the pre and post launch calibration/validation of the JPSS-2 satellite".
    2. Performance Award (SSAI, Jun. 2020) in recognition of timely work in creating the critical OMPS JPSS-2 upload tables that establishes baseline instrument operations for prelaunch testing and initial on-orbit use for all three OMPS sensors: the Nadir Mapper, the Nadir Profiler, and the Limb Profiler.
    3. Recipient of NASA Terra Mission's 2019 Pecora Team Award: Certificate of Recognition.
    4. Performance Award (NOAA / ERT, 2017) for representing on behalf of NOAA SMCD at the STEM Expo for Girl Power hosted by John Hopkins University - Applied Physics Laboratory.
    5. Performance Award (SSAI, Sep. 2016) for excellent performance in Satellite Meteorology and Climatology Division (SMCD) of NOAA STAR.
    6. Performance Award (SSAI, Sep. 2016) & NASA Group Achievement Award (nominated in 2015): For 20 years of expert and dedicated characterization of MODIS instruments on Terra and Aqua leading to unprecedented achievement in understanding Earth processes.
    7. Recipient of NASA Hydrospheric and Biospheric Sciences (HOBI) 2012 award for “scientific achievement” in developing the collection 6 Level 1B software that significantly improves the MODIS calibrated radiance products.

    Selected Publications

    Refereed

    Madhavan, S., J. Sun, and X. Xiong. 2021. "Sensor calibration impacts on dust detection based on MODIS and VIIRS thermal emissive bands." Advances in Space Research, 67 (10): 3059-3071 [10.1016/j.asr.2021.02.035]

    Madhavan, S., J. J. Qu, and X. Hao. 2017. "Saharan dust detection using multi-sensor satellite measurements." Heliyon, 3 (2): e00241 [10.1016/j.heliyon.2017.e00241]

    Madhavan, S., X. Xiong, A. Wu, et al. B. N. Wenny, K. Chiang, N. Chen, Z. Wang, and Y. Li. 2016. "Noise Characterization and Performance of MODIS Thermal Emissive Bands." IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 54 (6): 3221-3234 [10.1109/tgrs.2015.2514061]

    Madhavan, S., J. Brinkmann, B. Wenny, A. Wu, and X. Xiong. 2016. "Evaluation of VIIRS and MODIS Thermal Emissive Band Calibration Stability Using Ground Target." Remote Sensing, 8 (2): 158 [10.3390/rs8020158]

    Xiong, X., M. D. King, V. V. Salomonson, et al. W. L. Barnes, B. N. Wenny, A. Angal, A. Wu, S. Madhavan, and D. O. Link. 2015. "Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer on Terra and Aqua Missions." Qian/Optical Payloads for Space Missions, 53-89 [10.1002/9781118945179.ch3]

    Junqiang Sun, S. Madhavan, Xiaoxiong Xiong, and Menghua Wang. 2015. "Investigation of the Electronic Crosstalk in Terra MODIS Band 28." IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 53 (10): 5722-5733 [10.1109/tgrs.2015.2428212]

    Xiong, X., Aisheng Wu, B. N. Wenny, et al. S. Madhavan, Zhipeng Wang, Yonghong Li, Na Chen, W. Barnes, and V. V. Salomonson. 2015. "Terra and Aqua MODIS Thermal Emissive Bands On-Orbit Calibration and Performance." IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 53 (10): 5709-5721 [10.1109/tgrs.2015.2428198]

    Sun, J., X. Xiong, Y. Li, et al. S. Madhavan, A. Wu, and B. N. Wenny. 2014. "Evaluation of Radiometric Improvements With Electronic Crosstalk Correction for Terra MODIS Band 27." Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on, 52 (10): 6497 - 6507 [10.1109/TGRS.2013.2296747]

    Sun, J., X. Xiong, S. Madhavan, and B. N. Wenny. 2014. "Terra MODIS Band 27 Electronic Crosstalk Effect and Its Removal." Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on, 52 (3): 1551-1561 [10.1109/TGRS.2013.2252180]

    Toller, G., J. Xiong, J. Sun, et al. B. Wenny, X. Geng, J. Kuyper, A. Angal, H. Chen, S. Madhavan, and A. Wu. 2013. "Terra and Aqua moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer collection 6 level 1B algorithm." Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, 7 (1): 073557 [10.1117/1.JRS.7.073557]

    Non-Refereed

    Xiong, X., A. A. Angal, S. Madhavan, et al. D. O. Link, X. Geng, B. N. Wenny, A. Wu, H. Chen, and V. V. Salomonson. 2014. "MODIS instrument operation and calibration improvements." Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), 2014 IEEE International 1385-1388 [10.1109/IGARSS.2014.6946693]

    Madhavan, S., J. J. Qu, and X. Xiong. 2008. "Comparison Study between MODIS Terra and Aqua using Level-2 Aerosol Product for AOT Retrieval over Ocean." IGARSS 2008 - 2008 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium 3: III-515 - III-518 [10.1109/IGARSS.2008.4779397]

    Talks, Presentations and Posters

    Invited

    Guest Lecture

     11 / 1 / 2022

    Invited guest lecture on ‘Sensor Calibration’ for course titled Physical Fundamentals of Remote Sensing at George Mason University

    Guest Lecture

     11 / 1 / 2016

    Invited guest lecture on ‘Sensor Calibration’ for course titled Physical Principles of Remote Sensing at George Mason University

    Brief Bio

    Research scientist and remote sensing expert with over 20 years of experience in academic research and industry support. Subject matter expertise and real world experience in developing, testing and releasing algorithms and applications that use multi-spectral remote sensing data to model atmospheric and topographical conditions. Unique combination of remote sensing engineering, atmospheric science research, instrument calibration and image processing skills.

    Selected Publications

    Refereed

    Madhavan, S., J. Sun, and X. Xiong. 2021. "Sensor calibration impacts on dust detection based on MODIS and VIIRS thermal emissive bands." Advances in Space Research 67 (10): 3059-3071 [10.1016/j.asr.2021.02.035]

    Madhavan, S., J. J. Qu, and X. Hao. 2017. "Saharan dust detection using multi-sensor satellite measurements." Heliyon 3 (2): e00241 [10.1016/j.heliyon.2017.e00241]

    Madhavan, S., X. Xiong, A. Wu, et al. B. N. Wenny, K. Chiang, N. Chen, Z. Wang, and Y. Li. 2016. "Noise Characterization and Performance of MODIS Thermal Emissive Bands." IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing 54 (6): 3221-3234 [10.1109/tgrs.2015.2514061]

    Madhavan, S., J. Brinkmann, B. Wenny, A. Wu, and X. Xiong. 2016. "Evaluation of VIIRS and MODIS Thermal Emissive Band Calibration Stability Using Ground Target." Remote Sensing 8 (2): 158 [10.3390/rs8020158]

    Xiong, X., M. D. King, V. V. Salomonson, et al. W. L. Barnes, B. N. Wenny, A. Angal, A. Wu, S. Madhavan, and D. O. Link. 2015. "Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer on Terra and Aqua Missions." Qian/Optical Payloads for Space Missions 53-89 [10.1002/9781118945179.ch3]

    Junqiang Sun, S. Madhavan, Xiaoxiong Xiong, and Menghua Wang. 2015. "Investigation of the Electronic Crosstalk in Terra MODIS Band 28." IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing 53 (10): 5722-5733 [10.1109/tgrs.2015.2428212]

    Xiong, X., Aisheng Wu, B. N. Wenny, et al. S. Madhavan, Zhipeng Wang, Yonghong Li, Na Chen, W. Barnes, and V. V. Salomonson. 2015. "Terra and Aqua MODIS Thermal Emissive Bands On-Orbit Calibration and Performance." IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing 53 (10): 5709-5721 [10.1109/tgrs.2015.2428198]

    Sun, J., X. Xiong, Y. Li, et al. S. Madhavan, A. Wu, and B. N. Wenny. 2014. "Evaluation of Radiometric Improvements With Electronic Crosstalk Correction for Terra MODIS Band 27." Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on 52 (10): 6497 - 6507 [10.1109/TGRS.2013.2296747]

    Sun, J., X. Xiong, S. Madhavan, and B. N. Wenny. 2014. "Terra MODIS Band 27 Electronic Crosstalk Effect and Its Removal." Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on 52 (3): 1551-1561 [10.1109/TGRS.2013.2252180]

    Toller, G., J. Xiong, J. Sun, et al. B. Wenny, X. Geng, J. Kuyper, A. Angal, H. Chen, S. Madhavan, and A. Wu. 2013. "Terra and Aqua moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer collection 6 level 1B algorithm." Journal of Applied Remote Sensing 7 (1): 073557 [10.1117/1.JRS.7.073557]

    Non-Refereed

    Xiong, X., A. A. Angal, S. Madhavan, et al. D. O. Link, X. Geng, B. N. Wenny, A. Wu, H. Chen, and V. V. Salomonson. 2014. "MODIS instrument operation and calibration improvements." Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), 2014 IEEE International 1385-1388 [10.1109/IGARSS.2014.6946693]

    Madhavan, S., J. J. Qu, and X. Xiong. 2008. "Comparison Study between MODIS Terra and Aqua using Level-2 Aerosol Product for AOT Retrieval over Ocean." IGARSS 2008 - 2008 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium 3 III-515 - III-518 [10.1109/IGARSS.2008.4779397]

                                                                                                                                                                                            
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    • Last Updated: 09/25/2023