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Precise Geodetic Infrastructure: National Requirements for a Shared Resource (2010)

Chapter: Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff." National Research Council. 2010. Precise Geodetic Infrastructure: National Requirements for a Shared Resource. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12954.
×

Appendix A
Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

J. BERNARD MINSTER (Chair) is professor of geophysics at the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP) of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, and senior fellow at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. Dr. Minster’s research interests focus on imaging the Earth’s upper mantle and crust using broad-band seismic data and space-geodetic techniques; the latter is by using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and laser altimetry. He is a member of the ICESat science team, which uses the GLAS instrument to measure ice-sheet mass balance and global topographic change. He has been Principal Investigator on several proposed SAR missions in low Earth orbit, and on a proposed laser altimetry mission to Europa. He was the Nordberg Lecturer at NASA/GSFC in 1996, and was elected a fellow of the American Geophysical Union in 1990. He is the chair of the recently created Earth and Space Science Informatics focus group of the American Geophysical Union. Dr. Minster has chaired numerous NRC committees, including the Committee on Geodesy, the Committee on Geophysical and Environmental Data, as well as seven panels established to review distributed active archive centers, and he has served on numerous committees related to solid earth geophysics. He is currently vice-chair of the World Data Center (WDC) Panel of the International Council for Science (ICSU). Dr. Minster received his Ph.D. in Geophysics from the California Institute of Technology in 1974.


ZUHEIR ALTAMIMI is head of the terrestrial reference systems research group at the Laboratoire de Recherche en Géodésie of the Institut Géographique National (IGN), France. He is also a member of the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) Directing Board and of the Governing Board of the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS). He was elected President of Commission 1 (Reference Frames) of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) for the period 2007–2011, and he is head of the International Terrestrial Reference System (ITRS) Product Center of the IERS. His principal research focus is the theory and realization of terrestrial reference systems. His honors include Prix de Cartographie de l’Académie des Sciences and Chevalier dans

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff." National Research Council. 2010. Precise Geodetic Infrastructure: National Requirements for a Shared Resource. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12954.
×

l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques, and he is a fellow of the International Association of Geodesy. He received his Ph.D. in space geodesy from Paris Observatory, and his habilitation (2nd doctorate) from Paris University VI.


GEOFFREY BLEWITT is a research professor with joint appointments at the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology and the Seismological Laboratory of the University of Nevada, Reno. Previously, he was a professor in the Department of Geomatics at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Dr. Blewitt’s research focuses on space-based geodesy and the application of very high precision GPS to earth science. Dr. Blewitt is a fellow of the American Geophysical Union and the International Association of Geodesy. He received his B.Sc. in physics from Queen Mary’s College of the University of London and his Ph.D. in physics from the California Institute of Technology.


WILLIAM E. CARTER is an adjunct professor in the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering at the University of Florida and a professor in the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM). Dr. Carter’s current research interests focus on the use of advanced geodetic techniques to monitor the time variations of the orientation, gravity and topography of the Earth with sufficient accuracy to refine and discriminate among earth models and geodynamical theories. Dr. Carter previously held a range of positions at NOAA, including chief of the Geoscience Laboratory, chief of the Advanced Technology Branch, and chief of the Gravity, Astronomy, and Space Geodesy Division of the National Geodetic Survey. Dr. Carter received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, his M.S. in Geodetic Sciences from the Ohio State University, and his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona.


ANNY CAZENAVE is a Senior Scientist at the Laboratoire d’Etudes en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiale and Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales, Toulouse, France. Her research interests include satellite geodesy and applications to solid Earth, observation and climatic causes of sea level change, and large-scale land hydrology. Dr. Cazenave’s recent past and present international responsibilities include memberships on the Earth Sciences panel of the European Research Council, on the scientific panel of GGOS (Global Geodetic Observing System), and on the IPCC Working Group I (as lead author for Ocean climate and sea level; 2004–2007). She is past International Secretary of the American Geophysical Union (2002–2006), and past president of the geodesy section of the European Geosciences Union (1999–2004). Dr. Cazenave is a fellow of the American Geophysical Union, member of the French Academy of Sciences, and a foreign member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.


HERB DRAGERT is a senior research scientist with the Geological Survey of Canada and also holds an adjunct professor position with the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of Victoria. His principal area of research has been the study of crustal deformation within active seismic areas on the west coast of Canada using geodetic techniques such as leveling, precise gravity, laser-ranging trilateration, and GPS. Under his direction, the Geological Survey of Canada established the Western Canada Deformation Array, the first continuous GPS network in Canada for the express purpose of monitoring crustal motions. Data from this network provided the key information which led to the discovery of slow earthquakes and “Episodic Tremor and Slip” in the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Dr. Dragert led Canadian involvement in the Plate Boundary Observatory under the EarthScope Program, which has resulted in more intensive crustal deformation monitoring along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. He served on the UNAVCO Board of Directors from 2003–2006 and he was the Canadian Geophysical Union’s J. Tuzo Wilson medalist for 2007. Dr. Dragert received his B.Sc. in mathematics and physics from the University of Toronto and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in geophysics from the University of British Columbia.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff." National Research Council. 2010. Precise Geodetic Infrastructure: National Requirements for a Shared Resource. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12954.
×

THOMAS A. HERRING is professor of geophysics in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. Dr. Herring’s research includes using Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) and global positioning system (GPS) data to develop geophysically-based models of changes in rotation of the Earth and global deformations; developing kinematic models of deformations in California and Central Asia; and developing improved models and analysis systems for VLBI and GPS. He has served on numerous NRC committees, including the U.S. National Committee for the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, the Committee on Geodesy, and the Committee on Earth Gravity from Space. He is a fellow of the American Geophysical Union, a fellow of the International Association of Geodesy, and he was the European Geophysical Union’s Vening-Meinesz Medalist for 2007. Dr. Herring received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from the University of Queensland and his Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences from MIT.


KRISTINE M. LARSON is a professor of aerospace engineering sciences at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Dr. Larson’s research focuses on using high precision GPS techniques to address a range of geophysical issues that include measuring and interpreting crustal deformation as well as developing new techniques, including measuring soil moisture. She has studied plate boundary zone deformation in Alaska, Nepal, Tibet, Ethiopia, California, and Mexico. Dr. Larson’s research has also emphasized engineering development by pushing the temporal sampling of GPS to subdaily intervals. She served as editor for Geophysical Research Letters from 2001-2004. Dr. Larson received her A.B. in Engineering Sciences from Harvard and her Ph.D. in Geophysics from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego.


JOHN C. RIES is a senior research scientist at the Center for Space Research at the University of Texas at Austin. His research interests include orbit mechanics, geodesy, relativity, and the application of computers and computational techniques to the solution of problems in those areas. He has worked with laser range, altimeter, and Doppler data from numerous satellites including LAGEOS-1/-2, Starlette, Stella, Ajisai, SeaSat, ERS-1/-2, SPOT-2, TOPEX/POSEIDON, and Jason-1. His current research efforts are focused on improving gravity model determination for the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and reference frame determination from laser ranging data. He is a member of the International DORIS Service Governing Board and the Gravity Probe-B Science Advisory Committee. He is a fellow of the International Association of Geodesy and a recipient of the NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in mathematics from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, and his Ph.D. from the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at the University of Texas at Austin.


DAVID T. SANDWELL is professor of geophysics at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Sandwell’s research focuses on using satellite altimetry to analyze marine gravity anomalies, predict and measure seafloor topography, and the development and application of synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR). Prior to his appointment at SIO, Dr. Sandwell was a research scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, and a research geophysicist at the National Geodetic Survey. He is currently chair of the Western North America InSAR Consortium. Dr. Sandwell was the 2004 George P. Woollard Awardee of the Geological Society of America. He is a fellow of the Geological Society of America and the American Geophysical Union. Dr. Sandwell has served on a numerous NRC committees, including the Committee on Geodesy, the U.S. National Committee for the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, and the U.S. Geodynamics Committee. He received his B.S. from the University of Connecticut, his M.S. and his Ph.D. in geophysics and space physics from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff." National Research Council. 2010. Precise Geodetic Infrastructure: National Requirements for a Shared Resource. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12954.
×

JOHN M. WAHR is professor of physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is also a fellow at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado and Distinguished Visiting Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Dr. Wahr’s research is focused on time-variable gravity and its earth science applications, the geological and geophysical applications of InSAR, and numerous climate related areas. He has previously served on the NRC’s Committee on Earth Studies. Dr. Wahr was awarded the Vening Meinesz Medal in 2004 from the European Geosciences Union, and he is a fellow of the American Geophysical Union. Dr. Wahr received his B.S. in physics and mathematics from the University of Michigan and his M.S. and Ph.D. in physics from the University of Colorado.

Liaison from Committee on Seismology and Geodynamics

JAMES L. DAVIS is a Lamont Research Professor and Director of the Geodesy Laboratory at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University. Dr. Davis’s research interests broadly involve positional and physical geodesy using space and satellite techniques. These include applications of space geodesy to studies of geophysics, climate change, and remote sensing of the atmosphere, as well as the development and geophysical applications of permanent GPS networks and research and development of technology aimed at the improvement of the accuracy of space geodetic systems. He received his B.S. in physics from Michigan State University and his Ph.D. from MIT. He is member of the NASA GRACE mission science team, an AGU Fellow, and is past President of AGU’s Geodesy Section.

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL STAFF

DAVID A. FEARY is a Senior Program Officer with the NRC’s Board on Earth Sciences and Resources. He earned his Ph.D. at the Australian National University before spending 15 years as a research scientist with the marine program at the Australian Geological Survey Organization (now Geoscience Australia). During this time he participated in numerous research cruises—many as chief or co-chief scientist—and most recently was co-chief scientist for Ocean Drilling Program Leg 182. His research activities have focused on the role of climate as a primary control on carbonate reef formation and improved understanding of cool-water carbonate depositional processes.


LEA A. SHANLEY is a Postdoctoral Fellow with the NRC’s Board on Earth Sciences and Resources. Prior to this, she served in a Senate office as a Congressional Science Fellow, sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the American Society of Agronomy—Crop Science Society of America—Soil Science Society of America. Her research activities at the University of Wisconsin-Madison focused on geography and applied participatory mapping; this research engaged resource-dependent, coastal and tribal communities in the development and application of geospatial technology and remote sensing, and in the adoption of appropriate data policies, to support coastal and comprehensive land use planning, natural resource management, and agriculture. In addition, she served on a leadership team under the Wisconsin State Geographic Information Officer to facilitate the establishment of the Wisconsin Geographic Information Coordination Council.


ERIC EDKIN is a Senior Program Assistant with the NRC Board on Earth Sciences and Resources. He began working for the National Academies in 2009 and has primarily supported the board on a broad array of Earth resources, geographical sciences, and mapping sciences issues.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff." National Research Council. 2010. Precise Geodetic Infrastructure: National Requirements for a Shared Resource. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12954.
×

COURTNEY R. GIBBS is a Program Associate with the NRC Board on Earth Sciences and Resources. She received her degree in graphic design from the Pittsburgh Technical Institute in 2000 and began working for the National Academies in 2004. Prior to her work with the board, Ms. Gibbs supported the Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board and the former Board on Radiation Effects Research.


NICHOLAS D. ROGERS is a Financial and Research Associate with the NRC Board on Earth Sciences and Resources. He received a B.A. in history, with a focus on the history of science and early American history, from Western Connecticut State University in 2004. He began working for the National Academies in 2006 and has primarily supported the board on a broad array of Earth resources, mapping, and geographical sciences issues.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff." National Research Council. 2010. Precise Geodetic Infrastructure: National Requirements for a Shared Resource. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12954.
×

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff." National Research Council. 2010. Precise Geodetic Infrastructure: National Requirements for a Shared Resource. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12954.
×
Page 123
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff." National Research Council. 2010. Precise Geodetic Infrastructure: National Requirements for a Shared Resource. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12954.
×
Page 124
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff." National Research Council. 2010. Precise Geodetic Infrastructure: National Requirements for a Shared Resource. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12954.
×
Page 125
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff." National Research Council. 2010. Precise Geodetic Infrastructure: National Requirements for a Shared Resource. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12954.
×
Page 126
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff." National Research Council. 2010. Precise Geodetic Infrastructure: National Requirements for a Shared Resource. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12954.
×
Page 127
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff." National Research Council. 2010. Precise Geodetic Infrastructure: National Requirements for a Shared Resource. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12954.
×
Page 128
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Geodesy is the science of accurately measuring and understanding three fundamental properties of Earth: its geometric shape, its orientation in space, and its gravity field, as well as the changes of these properties with time. Over the past half century, the United States, in cooperation with international partners, has led the development of geodetic techniques and instrumentation. Geodetic observing systems provide a significant benefit to society in a wide array of military, research, civil, and commercial areas, including sea level change monitoring, autonomous navigation, tighter low flying routes for strategic aircraft, precision agriculture, civil surveying, earthquake monitoring, forest structural mapping and biomass estimation, and improved floodplain mapping.

Recognizing the growing reliance of a wide range of scientific and societal endeavors on infrastructure for precise geodesy, and recognizing geodetic infrastructure as a shared national resource, this book provides an independent assessment of the benefits provided by geodetic observations and networks, as well as a plan for the future development and support of the infrastructure needed to meet the demand for increasingly greater precision. Precise Geodetic Infrastructure makes a series of focused recommendations for upgrading and improving specific elements of the infrastructure, for enhancing the role of the United States in international geodetic services, for evaluating the requirements for a geodetic workforce for the coming decades, and for providing national coordination and advocacy for the various agencies and organizations that contribute to the geodetic infrastructure.

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