January 2021
Dr. Paul Rosen is Project Scientist for the NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) mission. NISAR will measure Earth’s changing ecosystems, dynamic land surfaces, and ice masses, providing critical measurements for carbon cycle modeling, natural hazards research, sea level rise, groundwater exploitation, and more. With its all-weather, day/night, multi-frequency, polarimetric capability, NISAR will also support a host of other applications.
Dr. Rosen is applying 35 years of experience in Earth and planetary radar remote sensing to guiding NISAR science and the potential benefits and impact of these data in the science and applications community. This entails interacting with scientists, engineers, managers, and the public, at all levels and in many capacities. He expects NISAR to have a major impact on how science and applications are developed using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data, noting that NISAR will provide the world with an unprecedented source of data, processing tools, and educational materials. NASA’s Alaska Satellite Facility Distributed Active Archive Center (ASF DAAC) will take a leading role in NISAR data distribution and education.
August 2020
Bernd Scheuchl brings more than 25 years of experience using synthetic aperture radar remote sensing data in both industry and academia to his role as the chair of ASF’s User Working Group. As leader of the advisory board, he helps shape ASF’s role as a NASA Distributed Active Archive Center, ensuring the data are accessible for all users. Scheuchl works to coordinate ASF’s support of the upcoming NASA/ISRO SAR mission (NISAR) through development of new SAR techniques and transformative technology. As a researcher, his team’s work is at the forefront of using SAR data to study Antarctica, including producing its first continent-wide ice velocity map.
February 2020
As Director of ASF, Dr. Nettie La Belle-Hamer’s mission is to support and mentor her team of driven professionals as leaders in remote sensing and data accessibility. She applies her research background in space physics to guide the facility as it provides high-quality data to meet the evolving needs of its users. Dr. La Belle-Hamer has been a part of ASF for 19 years and was appointed Director in 2002. She is also Deputy Director of the Geophysical Institute, where she works to develop and expand the capabilities of both organizations.
October 2019
As ASF Chief Scientist, Franz J. Meyer leverages almost two decades of remote sensing research experience to act as the interface between ASF and the scientific community.
Meyer has spent his career working with space agencies around the world to develop processing techniques and methods for synthetic aperture radar, or SAR, data. These techniques have been used to explore signals related to surface deformation such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Recently, his research has expanded into the development of remote sensing-based hazard monitoring. He has led trainings around the world to help governments and organizations increase their capacity for radar techniques and hopes to transform SAR into a tool to meaningfully influence people’s lives on a daily basis.