Scientist wins NOAA David Johnson Award
Jianglong Zhang, assistant professor, University of North Dakota Department of Atmospheric Sciences, has been selected by the National Space Club as the 2011 winner of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) David Johnson Award for path-breaking work with complex data streamed down from satellites.
This NOAA award is given annually to recognize achievements of young professionals who have shown outstanding innovation in the use of satellite data for operational environmental applications. Zhang's award citation reads: "For his pioneering role in the assimilation of satellite-retrieved aerosol data into an operational forecast model; work that has been far-reaching in both operational and climate-forecast modeling communities."
The National Space Club is a non-profit organization devoted to fostering excellence in space activity through interaction between industry and government, and through a continuing program of educational support. Awards are offered to recognize significant achievements in space science and enterprise. Read more: http://www.spaceclub.org/about.html
The NOAA David Johnson Award will be presented to Zhang during the Club's annual Robert H. Goddard Memorial Dinner, Friday, March 30, at the Washington Hilton, in Washington, D.C.
About the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration David Johnson Award:
The NOAA David Johnson Award for Outstanding Innovative Use of Earth Observation Satellite Data—the award was created in 1999 and is presented to young professionals who develop an innovative application of Earth observation satellite data that can be used for operational purposes. The nominee must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and no more than 40 years of age. The award is presented annually by the National Space Club at the Annual Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Dinner. This is a non-monetary award. Winners receive a plaque acknowledging their accomplishment. To read more go to http://www.osd.noaa.gov/johnson/awards.htm
About Jianglong Zhang:
Jianglong Zhang is currently assistant professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at UND's John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. He received his Ph.D. in atmospheric science at the University of Alabama in Huntsville in the spring of 2004. He received his master's in atmospheric science in the fall of 2000, and his bachelor's in atmospheric physics from Peking University, China in the spring of 1992.
During his dissertation research, he interacted extensively with scientists at US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Monterey and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Upon graduation, he worked as a University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) visiting scientist at the NRL Marine Meteorology Division in the Aerosol and Radiation Section. Also while in Monterey, he served as a lecturer at California State University at Monterey Bay as well as interacted extensively with students at the Naval Postgraduate School. His recent research has focused on satellite remote sensing of atmospheric aerosols and assimilating the data in near-real time into weather forecast models.
Read more about Zhang's research at http://bobcat.aero.und.edu/jzhang/index.php
Contact:
Juan Miguel Pedraza, writer/editor, UND Office of University Relations, 701.777.6571, juan.pedraza@email.und.edu
