Webinar 10: Behind the Scenes and Looking Toward the Future
Nov. 14, 2024, 8:00 p.m. ET
Overview
As we finish celebrating the NASA / JAXA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission's 10 year anniversary, we'll take a look behind the scenes at how the GPM Outreach Team showcased the mission's science, technology, and applications over the years. We'll also look ahead to the exciting new plans for the future of NASA’s precipitation measurement missions!
Speakers
Kristen Weaver
Kristen Weaver is the Deputy Coordinator for the GLOBE Observer project, which aims to extend the long-standing citizen science and science education program Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) to non-school-based audiences. She was also previously an Outreach Specialist for the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission. Prior to her work with NASA (as a contractor with Science Systems and Applications, Inc. based out of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.), Kristen taught middle school science for eight years in Montgomery County Public Schools (Maryland) and Denver Public Schools (Colorado), with a primary focus in Earth Science. She holds an M.A. in Education and a B.S. in Computer Science and Psychology, both from the University of Denver.
Andrea Portier
Andrea Portier works at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and serves as Applications Lead for the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission. In this role, she engages with different stakeholder communities to understand how GPM data products are applied for decision-making as well as promote and educate potential users about how NASA precipitation data can benefit their work and lives. Prior to working at NASA, Andrea served as a Science Assistant at the National Science Foundation. Andrea holds a M.S. in Geological Sciences from University of Florida, and received a B.S. and a B.A. from Ohio State University in Geological Sciences and International Studies.
George Huffman
Dr. George J. Huffman is a Research Physical Scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD. He specializes in creating combinations of satellite and surface gauge data to estimate global precipitation. The resulting data sets include the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) monthly and daily products and the Global Precipitation Measurement mission’s Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG). GPM is a joint project with NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Dr. Huffman’s work includes estimating errors and evaluating extreme precipitation events, and has resulted in 156 publications (17 as first author) and numerous presentations. Dr. Huffman currently serves as Project Scientist for GPM, lead for the GPM Multi-satellite Algorithm Team, and Chief of the Mesoscale Atmospheric Processes Lab at GSFC.
After completing a B.S. in Physics at The Ohio State University (1976) and a Ph.D. in Meteorology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1982), Dr. Huffman was an Assistant Professor at University of Maryland, College Park, then moved to GSFC in 1988 where he consulted until entering government service in 2012. Recent awards include the NASA GSFC Special Act Team Award, Earth Sciences Division Lab Management, 2021; the NASA GSFC Robert H. Goddard Group Award for Science, IMERG Development Team, 2019; Fellow of the American Meteorological Society, 2019; and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, 2018.
Jacob Reed
Jacob Reed is the Digital Outreach Lead for NASA’s Disasters Program and NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement mission. In his 13 years at NASA, Reed has built and managed multiple websites including the GPM website, overseen communications campaigns, wrote and edited science articles, and developed outreach materials to educate and inspire. Reed also regularly supports NASA at science conferences and outreach events around the country, sharing Earth science with a diverse audience. Reed graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a bachelor’s in computer science. In his personal time, Reed enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, producing music, and riding his Onewheel.
Dorian Janney
Dorian Janney has a passion for sharing the wonders of NASA's science and exploration with others across all age levels! For over three decades she taught public school in both special and general education settings across all grade levels. She was an Einstein Fellow Finalist, achieved National Board Certification in Science Education, served on numerous education working groups, and has written science curriculum for the country. She now serves as the GPM Education and Outreach Coordinator, developing resources to help share the science, technology, and real-world applications of GPM with others. She is a Mentor GLOBE trainer, a member of the GLOBE Education Working Group, and supports the GLOBE field campaigns. Her most recent project is leading an effort to engage Lifelong Learners with The GLOBE Campaign’s Citizen Science efforts.