M. Joan Alexander Sr. Research Scientist

Publications - Research - Field Campaigns - Vitae - Miscellaneous - Contact

Education:

• University of Colorado, Boulder, Ph.D. (1992) Astrophysical, Planetary & Atmospheric Sciences
• University of Colorado, Boulder, M.S. (1989) Astrophysical, Planetary & Atmospheric Sciences
• Purdue University, Indiana, B.S. (1981) Chemistry

Experience:

• 2006-present: Management Council, NorthWest Research Associates, CoRA Division.
• 2003-present: Sr. Research Scientist, NorthWest Research Associates, CoRA Division.
• 1998-2003: Research Scientist, NorthWest Research Associates, CoRA Division.
• 1994-1998: Research Assistant Professor, University of Washington, Atmospheric Sciences.
• 1992-1994: Postdoctoral Faculty, University of Washington, Atmospheric Sciences.
• 1987-1992: Research Assistant, LASP, University of Colorado at Boulder.
• 1984-1987: Materials Engineer, Martin Marietta Aerospace Corp., Denver, Colorado.
• 1982-1984: Polymer Applications Chemist, Great Lakes Chemical Co., W. Lafayette, IN.
• 1981-1982: Process Engineer, Hughes Aircraft Co., El Segundo, California.

Activities, Awards, and Memberships:

• Fellow of the American Meteorological Society, 2006.
• Adjoint Associate Professor, Program for Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences, University of Colorado, 2003-present.
• Lecturer, Program for Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences, University of Colorado, 1999-2003.
• Affiliate Associate Professor, University of Washington, Atmospheric Sciences, 2003-present.
• Affiliate Assistant Professor, University of Washington, Atmospheric Sciences, 1998-2003.
• Guest Lecturer, Cambridge Summer School on Geophysical and Environmental Fluid Dynamics, 2003.
• Bjerknes Lecturer, American Geophysical Union, 2000.
• Annual Teaching Award, University of Washington, Atmospheric Sciences, 1998.
• Member, Board on Atmospheric Science and Climate, National Research Council of the National Academies, 2005-2008.
• Chair, Review Committee for the Climate Change Science Program Synthesis and Assessment Product 2.4: Trends in Emissions of Ozone Depleting Substances, Ozone Layer Recovery, and Implications for Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure, 2007.
• President, American Geophysical Union Atmospheric Sciences Section, 2004-2006.
• Council, American Geophysical Union Atmospheric Sciences Section, 2002-2006.
• Public Information Committee, American Geophysical Union Atmospheric Sciences Section, 2002-2004.
• American Meteorological Society, Atmospheric and Oceanic Fluid Dynamics Committee, 2007-2009.
• American Meteorological Society, Committee on the Middle Atmosphere, 1998-2001.
• Secretary, International Commission for Dynamical Meteorology, IAMAS, 1999-2003.
• Science Team member, Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), 2003-2008.
• Science Team member, High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS)-Aura, 1998-2008.
• Co-Investigator, Microwave Temperature Profiler instrument, Convection and Moisture Experiment (CAMEX-4) 2001, Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers (CRYSTAL-FACE) 2002, and Tropical Cloud Systems and Processes (TCSP) 2005.
• Participant, Tropical Warm Pool - International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE), 2006.
• Participant, Darwin Area Wave Experiment (DAWEX), 2001.
• Team Member, POLARIS Observational Field Campaign, 1997.
• Auxiliary Investigator STERAO Observational Field Campaign, 1996.

Current Research Interests:

• The focus of my research is on atmospheric waves and mesoscale dynamics surrounding deep convection, mountains, and the jet stream. My work involves both observational analyses and theoretical modeling to better understand the properties of atmospheric waves, their sources, and their many effects in the atmosphere. Observation techniques include satellite remote sensing, balloon-borne radiosonde observations, aircraft observations, and ground-based airglow imaging techniques. The theoretical models focus on the dynamics and thermodynamics of storms, wave propagation and wave interactions with the background atmosphere, and the global circulation and temperature structure of the middle atmosphere.