HURRICANE, AIR QUALITY RESEARCH RECEIVES
BOOST AT UH
Atmospheric Sciences Program Recognized by Prestigious National
Group UCAR
HOUSTON, Nov. 4, 2005 – A unanimous vote from the University
Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), naming the University
of Houston as its newest member, will give a boost to UH’s
already notable research into hurricanes and pollution.
Through research of the Earth’s climate, the sun and weather
patterns, UCAR’s mission includes expanding the capabilities
of universities with regard to understanding the behavior of atmospheric
and related systems, as well as fostering the transfer of knowledge
and technology among institutions for the betterment of life on
Earth. UCAR also manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research
(NCAR), the federally funded research and development center dedicated
to exploring and understanding the atmosphere and its interactions
with the sun, oceans, biosphere and mankind.
UH is now one of only five UCAR members in Texas.
“UCAR’s membership is comprised of universities in
the United States that do important work on atmospheric sciences,
such as meteorology, climate modeling and atmospheric chemistry,”
said John Bear, dean of the UH College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
(NSM). “UH’s membership demonstrates the dedication
and high level of research being done on the challenging issues
in this field. We are committed to enhancing research and education
in the atmospheric, environmental, mathematical and geophysical
sciences and are currently investigating the Earth’s atmospheric
environment through sophisticated computational tools and state-of-the-art
instrumentation.”
While a number of factors led UCAR to its recent decision, perhaps
one of the most compelling has been the growth of research in the
atmospheric sciences at UH in the last few years. While NSM’s
geosciences department has been leading the effort, the college’s
physics, mathematics and chemistry programs also have contributed
significantly.
Most notably, the Institute for Multi-dimensional Air Quality Studies
(IMAQS), a diverse group of researchers from the fields of geoscience,
math, computer science and chemistry, has been the integrating force
for UH’s atmospheric sciences research becoming a contender
for UCAR membership. Using premier scientific tools to understand
the complex issues of air quality and climate change, this institute’s
modeling and measurement efforts address critical components simultaneously
that include emissions inventories, meteorology and atmospheric
chemistry. Current IMAQS project sponsors include the EPA, NOAA,
NSF, NASA, USDA and the State of Texas.
Contributions from the physics department include the UH Upper
Atmospheric Research Program that conducts research in areas ranging
from atmospheric electricity to space physics. A primary objective
of this group is to provide a source of qualified, trained personnel
to the space-oriented employers in the Houston area. Equally important,
contributions from the UH Aerosol Research Program in the math department
focus on projects dedicated to the modeling and simulation of atmospheric
aerosols, which result in pollution that affects climate, human
health and crops.
“During our membership committee’s visit to UH in September,
we were very impressed by the scope and quality of the research
program, as well as by the faculty and students and the across-the-board
dedication of the UH administration to continued growth and support
of the atmospheric sciences program,” said Richard Anthes,
president of UCAR. “They are clearly addressing many of the
important scientific questions of our time, and I’m confident
that society will benefit greatly from work being done at UH. It
will be interesting to watch the growth in this program, and we
look forward to working closely with them in the years ahead. We’re
proud to have UH as our 69th member of UCAR.”
While the members of the UH atmospheric science group will continue
to pursue their diverse research interests, their efforts also will
be coordinated to prepare for the August 2006 Texas Air Quality
Study – II (TexAQS-II). This study will involve multiple aircraft
and several ground sites throughout the region, with two new UH
ground stations fully operational by early 2006, as well as hosting
scientists from other universities and research labs at the university’s
two existing tower facilities – the UH Moody Tower Atmospheric
Chemistry Facility and the UH Coastal Center Flux Facility, both
of which measure meteorological and air chemistry, allowing researchers
to gain a better understanding of the unique challenges facing Houston’s
atmospheric environment. UH’s Moody Tower site has, in fact,
been designated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
as a super site for sophisticated atmospheric chemistry and meteorological
measurements. Ultimately, the TexAQS-II will allow institutions
like UH to serve as a neutral party, offering unbiased scientific
analysis needed to educate both the general public and politicians
on how to potentially solve air quality issues in the most cost-effective
manner.
With a core of faculty, research scientists and students already
pursuing research in the atmospheric sciences, UH is looking to
expand its degree offerings. Undergraduate degrees are offered in
earth sciences, geophysics and environmental sciences through NSM
with an option in one of three specializations of atmospheric chemistry,
environmental modeling or atmospheric science. Membership in UCAR
will assist UH in attracting top-notch scholars, as well as offering
additional options to current graduate students, with an M.S. and
Ph.D. option exclusively in atmospheric science expected to be approved
by the UH Board of Regents and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board within the year. Currently, master’s and doctoral degrees
in atmospheric science are offered under the umbrella of geophysics.
“I am delighted that the University of Houston has been elected
as a full member of UCAR, which is an extraordinarily important
group in the atmospheric sciences community,” said Donald
Foss, UH senior vice president and provost. “This election
is testimony to the high regard the profession has for UH scientists.
It will allow faculty at our university to help shape the future
of this key research area on the national and international level.”
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research
and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers
and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university
in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and
service with more than 35,000 students.
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