Associate Professor of
Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Alaska Fairbanks,
BS. Physics, 1988, BS EE 1988, Ph.D. Physics 1992.
Dr. Bristow joined the Geophysical Institute in 1998 after moving from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. He is the Principal Investigator for the Kodiak, Alaska, SuperDARN radar and Co-Principal Investigator for the King Salmon, Alaska, SuperDARN radar. Bill's research focus is in space physics and upper atmosphereic physics. He has studied a variety of topics including: atmospheric gravity waves, mesospheric winds, magnetospheric convection, and substorm phenomena.
e-mail: Bill.Bristow@gi.alaska.edu
Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering
National University
of Ireland, '86, B.E.; Case Western Reserve University, '88,
M.S.; University of Illinois '94, Ph.D.
Dr. Collins joined the institute in 1994 as a member of the space physics group. He works in the field of optical remote sensing with an emphasis on laser radar (lidar) techniques. His interests also include the structure and dynamics of the middle atmosphere. Dr. Collins also teaches in the atmospheric science program.
e-mail: rlc@gi.alaska.edu
Assistant Professor of Physics
University of Tasmania, '81, B.S., '91
Ph.D.
Dr. Conde came to the institute with a background in upper atmospheric physics and research experience in Antarctica. In 1984 while a student at the University of Adelaide's Mawson Institute for Antarctic Research, Conde traveled to Mawson, Antarctica, to operate the Mawson Institute's Fabry-Perot spectrometer for 15 months. By 1985 he became an experimental officer with the Australian Antarctic Division's upper atmospheric physics section and spent another 15 months working in Antarctica. In 1990, he began working for the Antarctic Division's Marine Science section as a computing systems officer attached to the research vessel RSV Aurora Australis and participated in three major marine science voyages from May 1990 to March 1992. Later that year, Conde began working for LaTrobe University as a research officer conducting the Mawson component of a coordinated campaign of 630 nm Fabry-Perot spectrometer observations in the southern hemisphere. He returned to sea April-May in 1993 to participate in a WOCE (World Ocean Circulation Experiment) on the RSV Aurora Australis. Conde came to the Geophysical Institute to work on the project to upgrade the optical instrumentation associated with Poker Flat Research Range.
e-mail: Mark.Conde@gi.alaska.edu
Professor of Physics, Head of the
Physics Department
University of Iowa '63,
B.A.; '64, M.S.; '69, Ph.D.
Dr. Craven is a professor of physics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he divides his time between the Geophysical Institute and the Department of Physics. Principal research activities are in aeronomy, and auroral and magnetospheric physics. He joined the faculty in the summer of 1991 after having moved from the University of Iowa. His present research includes studies of large-scale variations in thermospheric composition in the dayside hemisphere driven by magnetospheric energy deposition at auroral latitudes, large-scale auroral morphology and dynamics, and spatial mappings between the aurora and magnetotail. Academic duties in the physics department include teaching the advanced laboratory for undergraduate physics majors and the graduate course in space physics. He is author or co-author of more than 90 scientific papers. He was associate editor of the Journal of Geophysical Research (Space Physics) for the three-year period 1988-90, a member of the Management Operations Working Group for NASA's Ionosphere, Thermosphere and Mesosphere Branch (chair, 1995-96), was a member of the Board of Directors for the Alaska Space Grant Program (1992-94) and a faculty advisor to the Alaska Student Rocket Program (1992-94). He is a member of the AGU, EGS, AAAS, and the UAF Faculty Senate, of which he is president (1997-1998).
e-mail: John.Craven@gi.alaska.edu
Professor Emeritus of Physics
Reed College, '58, AB;
University of Alaska '61, MS; '68, Ph.D.
Dr. Deehr's research interests involve spectrophotometric studies of atmospheric emissions, mainly associated with observations of the dayside and nightside aurora, and the polar airglow as signatures of the coupling between the solar wind and the ionosphere. He is concerned with cooperative observing efforts in the circumpolar region, and he produces the auroral forecast as a part of his participation in the Geophysical Institute's space weather research program.
e-mail: Chuck.Deehr@gi.alaska.edu
Design Engineer
University of Alaska Fairbanks
'88, B.S.E.E.
Mr. Desrochers started work in 1989 to provide
engineering support for the Geophysical Institute. Campaign projects
worked on include CRRES in '90, SPECTRA in '95,
SPRITES in '96 and '98, FAST in '96, and APEX in '98. Also, he
developed imager systems for the Poker Flat Upgrade project in '93.
Among his specialties are low light level imagers and their control
systems such as used in Aurora studies, and the design of instrumentation
data logging programs with displays utilizing networking
techniques.
email: Jim.Desrochers@gi.alaska.edu
Professor Emeritus of Geophysics
Cornell University '64,
B.S.E.E.; University of Alaska '69, M.S., '76, Ph.D.
Dr. Hallinan
has been interested primarily in the mechanisms responsible for
the characteristic shapes of auroral forms. To study these
shapes, he has developed systems for auroral imaging using
low-light-level television cameras. His other interests include
rocket-borne electron accelerators, electron beam experiments in
large vacuum chambers (> 20 m path lengths) and barium
shaped-charge injections. He has conducted auroral imaging
experiments from rockets and from the Space Shuttle.
e-mail: Tom.Hallinan@gi.alaska.edu
Optical Science Manager, Poker Flat Research Range
B.A. University of Texas, Austin, '85,
M.S. University of Alaska Fairbanks, '90, Ph.D.
University of Alaska Fairbanks, '96
Dr. Hampton returned to the Geophysical Institute
after 10 years as a Systems Engineer at Ball Aerospace and
Technologies Corp. His main interests are optical instrumentation,
and their application to studying physical systems. Current
applications include aurora and airglow, optical remote
sensing from unmaned aerial vehicles, and space based
instruments on the Deep Impact spacecraft observing stellar
transits of known extra-solar planets and an upcoming flyby
of comet Hartley-2.
e-mail:
dhampton@gi.alaska.edu
Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering;
Head Electrical Engineering Department; Director of the Alaska
Space Grant Program
B.S. University of Alaska Fairbanks 1982;
M.S. 1984, Ph.D. 1988, Stanford University. Dr. Hawkins' research interests include space
plasma physics, space systems engineering, and microwave circuit
design. His past research efforts include experimental studies of
spacecraft changing and electron-beam-emission process and
numerical simulation studies of the interaction between the solar
wind and the magnetosphere. His current research includes
development of technology for wireless power transmission at
microwave frequencies with possible future applications to
solar-powered satellites. In 1990, Dr. Hawkins established the
Alaska Student Rocket Program at UAF in which students are
involved in the design, construction, and flight testing of
sounding rocket payloads from Poker Flat Research Range. Alaska Space Grant
Program Director.
e-mail:
ffjgh@uaf.edu
Design Engineer
University of Alaska Fairbanks
'88, B.S.; University of Alaska Fairbanks '91, M.S.
Mr. Hoch began work at the institute in 1985. He has worked in a
number of positions since that time, including graduate work for a
master's degree in physics. Since 1988 he has worked to develop and
maintain the Geospace
Environment Data Display System (GEDDS), a real-time information
and display system to aid in the launch of scientific sounding rockets
from the Poker Flat Research Range. He has a strong interest in
computer assisted data presentation and visualization, and the
wide-area distribution of space-weather information. e-mail: ed.hoch@gi.alaska.edu
Professor Emeritus of Physics
National Cheng Kung
University, Taiwan '61, B.S.; Washington State University '66,
M.S.; University of California, San Diego '69, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Physics and former Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Kan
does basic research in plasma physics and space physics. His past
activities include studying waves and instabilities in space
plasmas. After joining the Geophysical Institute in 1972, he has been
involved in theoretical studies of auroral arc formation, magnetopause
and boundary layer structures, collisionless shock waves in space, and
magnetospheric substorms. Dr. Kan teaches general physics,
electrodynamics, statistical physics, plasma physics, and space
physics.
e-mail:
ffjrk@aurora.alaska.edu
Research Professor
Georg August Universität,
Göttingen, Federal Republic of Germany '81, Diplom
Geophysik; University of Alaska Fairbanks '87, Ph.D. Dr. Lummerzheim's research interest lies in the study of
auroral processes, auroral arc formation, the penetration of
auroral electrons and protons into the atmosphere, and the subsequent optical
emissions. He was at the High Altitude Observatory/National
Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado, as a visiting
scientist in 1990-93 and joined the Geophysical Institute 1993.
e-mail: lumm@gi.alaska.edu
Professor of Physics
University of California at
Los Angeles '63, B.A., '64, M.S. '70, Ph.D. Dr. Olson joined the Geophysical Institute in
1979. His research interests have included the study of
geomagnetic pulsations at high latitudes associated with the
nightside aurorae and with the dayside magnetospheric boundaries.
He also has carried out programs of ULF and VLF diagnostics for
ionospheric heating programs and has a strong interest in digital
signal analysis. He is a member of the American Geophysical Union
and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
e-mail: John.Olson@gi.alaska.edu
Professor of Physics
Ruhr-Universität Bochum
'83, Diplom, '87, Ph.D. Dr. Otto's major research interests are in space
plasma theory and simulation. His research interests include the
linear and nonlinear dynamics of macroscopic current carrying
plasma systems with applications in the field of solar
wind-magnetosphere interaction, magnetotail dynamics, and the
formation and evolution of discrete auroral structures. In 1992,
Dr. Otto joined the Geophysical Institute where his current work
addresses the three-dimensional evolution of the plasma and the
magnetic flux transport at the magnetospheric boundaries, the
corresponding magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, and the
formation of current filaments and thin discrete auroral arc
structures. Further information on Dr. Otto's research can be
obtained from his home
page.
e-mail:
Antonius.Otto@gi.alaska.edu
Professor Emeritus of Geophysics
West Virginia
University '48, B.S.E.E.; University of Colorado '56, M.Sc., '58,
Ph.D. Dr. Rees joined the institute in 1958 and after
several years at Queens University, Belfast, and at the
University of Colorado, he returned to the Geophysical Institute
in 1975, also teaching in the UAF physics department. He works on
a variety of upper-atmosphere physics problems, including auroral
spectroscopy, energetic particle interactions, ionospheric
electric fields, thermospheric dynamics and chemistry, and
ionospheric-magnetospheric interactions. His publications cover a
wide range of subjects related mostly to auroral physics.
e-mail: Manfred.Rees@gi.alaska.edu
Professor Emeritus of Physics and Senior
Consultant
University of Buenos Aires '52, Ph.D. Dr. Roederer has a background in high-energy
physics, cosmic rays and magnetospheric physics. His work on
numerical modeling led to a quantitative understanding of the
earth's radiation belts. He also has conducted research, taught
courses, and written a book on psychoacoustics and
neuropsychology. Dr. Roederer was Director of the Geophysical
Institute from 1977 to 1986, and Dean of the College of
Environmental Sciences from 1979 to 1982. His research interest
centers on magnetospheric plasma physics of Earth and Jupiter. He
is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science and the American Geophysical Union, corresponding member
of the Academies of Science of Argentina and Austria, Member of
the Third World Academy of Sciences, Past president of the ICSU
Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Research, and an accomplished
organist. He served as Chairman of the United States Arctic
Research Commission from 1987 to 1991.
e-mail: Juan.Roederer@gi.alaska.edu
Professor of Physics
University of Iowa '71,
B.A., '73, M.S., '76, Ph.D.
Dr. Sentman joined the Geophysical
Institute and the Physics Department of the University of Alaska
Fairbanks in September 1991. His research interests include space
plasma physics, the artificial heating of the ionosphere, and
atmospheric electricity. His past research efforts have included
the theory of electromagnetic instabilities in the terrestrial
and planetary atmospheres, the theory and measurement of global
electromagnetic resonances. His current projects include a joint
collaboration with MIT to monitor global temperature changes
using the Schumann resonances, and the study of sprites and blue
jets, upward propagating electrical discharges between the lower
atmosphere and the ionosphere. e-mail:
Davis.Sentman@gi.alaska.edu
Geophysical
Institute Director, Professor of Physics
University of Exeter '63, B.S., '67,
Ph.D. Professor Smith joined the Geophysical Institute
in July, 1984. He specializes in the study of upper-atmospheric
dynamics and auroral dynamics at high latitudes by optical
methods. He has conducted wind and temperature studies of the
thermosphere in both the Arctic and Antarctic. His interests have
extended to optical investigations of the mesosphere using the
same techniques. Studies of auroral transients have been
conducted at Svalbard. Some new projects are being developed in
the optical imaging of ionospheric convection and magnetospheric
dynamics from space. He teaches in both graduate and
undergraduate programs in the department of physics.
e-mail:
Roger.Smith@gi.alaska.edu
Professor of Geophysics
Royal Technical
University of Denmark '65, M.Sc. Professor Nielsen has a research background in
auroral and magnetospheric physics. At the institute, he has
worked mainly in auroral research. During the last 10 years, he
has been engaged in chemical release experiements, notably the
barium shaped-charge program and in auroral work. Professor
Nielsen also is teaching graduate and undergraduate courses
within the Department of Physics.
e-mail:
Hans.Nielsen@gi.alaska.edu
Professor Emeritus of Physics
Haverford College
'57, B.A.; Massachusetts Institute of Technology '59, M.S. Professor Swift joined the Geophysical Institute in
1963. His background is in theoretical research and numerical
simulation of fluids and plasmas. His past work is in ionospheric
physics, radio wave propagation, and simulation of convective flow in
porous media. He was the coordinator of the summer intern program for
undergraduates from 1987 to 1993. His recent research efforts include
using methods of numerical simulation to understand magnetospheric
processes responsible for auroral and geomagnetic storm phenomena. He
has contributed to the analysis of barium injection experiments in
space. He is engaged in a collaborative effort to develop a global-scale numerical model
of the earth's magnetosphere using a hybrid code and is
developing numerical techniques to simulate performance of
high-powered microwave devices. Professor Swift has taught graduate
courses in electricity and magnetism, mathematical physics, classical
mechanics, and has developed a course in methods of numerical
simulation.
e-mail:
Dan.Swift@gi.alaska.edu
Assistant Professor of
Physics
United States Military Academy, B.S.,
Engineering Physics, 1986;
University of Alaska Fairbanks, Ph.D. 1997. Dr. Szuberla joined the Geophysical Institute and the
Physics Department of the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2005.
His research interests include atmospheric infrasound and digital
signal processing. He studies various geophysical and man-made
sources of infrasound and the array processing techniques required to
detect and characterize them. His current projects
center on infrasound-based nuclear explosion monitoring as part of the
verification regime of the Comprehensive
Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
e-mail:
cas@gi.alaska.edu
Professor of Physics
University of Adelaide '69,
B.S.; La Trobe University '72, M.S.; University of Alaska '76,
Ph.D. Dr. Watkins was previously with the Australian
Antarctic Research Program, MIT Lincoln Lab and Haystack
Observatory, working on various upper atmosphere research
problems. His primary interests are ionosphere research using
incoherent scatter radar troposphere/stratosphere studies using
turbulence scatter radar, numerical modeling of the ionosphere and
wave propagation, and ionospheric mosdification using high-power
HF waves.
e-mail:
please consult the
web page.
Professor Emeritus of Geophysics
University of California
at Los Angeles '55, A.B.; University of Alaska '60, M.S., '64,
Ph.D. Dr. Wescott has a background of research in solid
earth geophysics and space physics. His past activities include
research in telluric currents, auroral audibility,
magnetoconjugate phenomena, electrodynamics of the ionosphere and
magnetosphere, auroral induced corrosion in arctic pipelines,
earthquake prediction, and geothermal resource exploration. After
joining the Geophysical Institute in 1958, he investigated a wide
range of magnetically conjugate geophysical phenomena. He is
currently involved in auroral and magnetospheric electric field
studies and plasma physics experiments using barium and calcium
plasma rocket injections. The most exciting current project, a
joint collaboration with Davis Sentman, is investigating optical
flashes in the upper atmosphere to 90 km above mesoscale
thunderstorms; red-colored "Sprites" and "Blue
Jets." Dr. Wescott teaches courses in geophysical methods
and field geophysical prospecting.
e-mail:
Gene.Wescott@gi.alaska.edu
Associate Professor of Physics
Ruhr-Universität Bochum 1985 Diplom,
1989 Ph.D.; Ludwig-Maximilians Universität Munich 2000 Habilitation
Dr. Wiechen was previously lecturer for Geophysics at the University of
Munich. Before that, he was senior research scientist at the Max Planck
Institiute for Extraterrestrial Physics, the Astrophysical Institute of
the University of Munich, the Max-Planck Institute for Aeronomy in Lindau,
and the Institute for Theoretical Physics of the University of Bochum. His
main interests are the theory and numerical modeling and simulation of
space plasmas.
e-mail:
hew@gi.alaska.edu
Professor of Physics Emeritus
Case Institute of Technology '51, B.S.;
University of New Mexico '56, M.S.; University of Alaska '63, Ph.D. Background of research in glaciology, cosmic rays, and
auroral-magnetic phenomena. Wintered over in Antarctica during the
International Geophysical Year and participated in the 1600 mile
Victoria Land traverse. His recent work concenrs the study of
infrasonic waves associated with the aurora, volcanic eruptions, and
marine storms. He received a congressional gold medal for saving a
man's life in Antarctica in 1958.
e-mail:
crw@gi.alaska.edu
Last updated: March 2008
Questions? Comments? Please send E-mail to
lumm@gi.alaska.edu
CHARLES S. DEEHR
JIM DESROCHERS
THOMAS J. HALLINAN
DON L. HAMPTON
JOSEPH G. HAWKINS
EDWARD L. HOCH
JOHN V. OLSON
MANFRED H. REES
HANS STENBAEK-NIELSEN
EUGENE M. WESCOTT
CHARLES R. WILSON