PMM Science Team
Overview
The NASA Precipitation Measurement Missions (PMM) Science Team conducts scientific research (including algorithm development, mission implementation, product validation, and data utilization) in support of TRMM and GPM Missions. The team comprises scientists funded by NASA and international investigators selected by NASA on the basis of no exchange of funds.
Go To Class!
Here you will find a variety of resources to assist you in making a visit to a local school, day care center, or after school group. Make a difference in the lives of young people by sharing what you do and the excitement of learning about GPM, Earth’s freshwater resources, and the water cycle.
PMM Science Program Management Team
| Name | Organization | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Will McCarty | NASA Headquarters | GPM Program Scientist |
| Dr. George Huffman | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | GPM Project Scientist and PMM Science Team Lead |
| Dr. Erich F. Stocker | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | GPM Deputy Project Scientist for Data and Precipitation Processing System Project Manager |
| Dr. Walter A. Petersen | NASA Marshall Space Flight Center | Deputy Project Scientist, Ground Validation |
| David B. Wolff | NASA Wallops Flight Facility | GPM Ground Validation System Manager |
| Dr. Dalia B. Kirschbaum | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | GPM Associate Deputy Project Scientist for Applications |
PMM Principal Investigators and Proposal Titles (2019 - 2021)
Attendees of the 2019 PMM Science Team Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana.
| Last Name | First Name | Affiliation | Proposal Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams | Ian | Goddard Space Flight Center | Scattering Assessment for Precipitating Particles (SAPP): Evaluating and Characterizing Hydrometeor Habit and Scattering Models |
| Barros | Ana | Duke University | Microphysics, Vertical Structure and Scaling of Orographic Precipitation Across the Global Tropics |
| Berg | Wesley | Colorado State University | Enhancing Consistency and Quantifying Precipitation Uncertainties for an Evolving Radiometer Constellation |
| Chandrasekar | Chandra V. | Colorado State University | GPM Global Observations and Precipitation Microphysics: Algorithm Support, Enhancement, Cross Validation, and Application |
| Del Genio | Anthony | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | Analyses of Organized Convective System Sizes, Durations and Diabatic Heating Profiles to Inform GCM Development |
| Durden | Stephen | Jet Propulsion Laboratory | DPR Retrievals over Land – Validation and Improvement |
| Fenni | Ines | University of California, Los Angeles | Efficient and Accurate Calculation of Single-Scattering Properties of Realistic Hydrometeors for Better Interpretation of Microwave Observations |
| Foufoula-Georgiou | Efi | University of California, Irvine | Improving GPM Passive Microwave Retrieval and Multi-Sensor Merging: a Nonlocal Formulation Accounting for the 3D Structure of Rain |
| Funk | Chris | University of California, Santa Barbara | Ag Out – An Enhanced IMERG-based Agricultural Outlook System to Support Food Security and Agriculture in the Developing World |
| Gebremichael | Mekonnen | University of California, Los Angeles | Improved Application of GPM IMERG Rainfall for Maximizing Power Generation in East Africa |
| Grecu | Mircea | Morgan State University | Improved Detection and Quantification of Precipitation by the TRMM/GPM Combined Algorithm |
| Heymsfield | Gerald | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | Organizational and Structural Characterization of Precipitating System in Cold and Warm Regimes over Orographic Regions Using Observations and Models |
| Kidd | Christopher | University of Maryland, College Park | Advancing Precipitation Retrievals from Cross-Track Passive Microwave Sensors |
| Kim | Min-Jeong | Morgan State University | Satellite Data Assimilated 4D Global Precipitation Products from the GEOS System in Support of the GPM Mission |
| Kirschbaum | Dalia | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | Characterizing and Communicating Global IMERG Error Estimates for End User Applications |
| Kirstetter | Pierre-Emmanuel | University of Oklahoma, Norman | Bridging the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Level II and Level III precipitation Using Multi-Radar/Multi-Sensor-GPM (MRMS-GPM) |
| Kulie | Mark | University of Wisconsin, Madison | GPM Snowfall Retrieval Improvements: A Multifaceted Approach Using New Algorithm Components and Ground-Based Observations |
| Kummerow | Christian | Colorado State University | Understanding GMI Observations in Orographic Precipitation Rain and Snow |
| Li | Xiaowen | Morgan State University | Active Convective Cores and Their Organization Observed by GPM Satellite and Applications to Improving Cloud-Resolving Simulations |
| Liao | Liang | University of Maryland Baltimore County | Studies on Single- and Dual-Wavelength DPR Retrievals: Algorithm Development, Evaluation and Validation |
| Liu | Chuntao | Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi | Toward Monitoring Global Intense Convection Using Assive Microwave Satellite Observations |
| Liu | Guosheng | Florida State University | Improving Algorithm Components Related to Ice and Snow for GPM Precipitation Retrievals |
| Mace | Gerald | University of Utah, Salt Lake City | Surface-Observed Precipitation over the Southern Ocean from the RV Investigator: Evaluation of Processes and Comparison with GPM |
| Martin | Elinor | University of Oklahoma, Norman | Analysis of TRMM-GPM Observations to Improve Process-Level Understanding and Modeling of Precipitation and Latent Heating in Tropical Easterly Waves |
| Matsui | Toshihisa | University of Maryland, College Park | Systematic Storm-Scale Simulations and Observations from the NASA Wallops Precipitation Research Facility |
| McPartland | Linette | Goddard Space Flight Center | Using GPM in an Optimal Estimation Lagrangian Framework (OELaF) to Quantify Moisture Transport in Arctic Cyclones |
| Nesbitt | Stephen | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Using GPM Ground Validation Data for Improved Precipitation Retrievals of Ice and Mixed Phase Precipitation |
| Oreopoulos | Lazaros | Goddard Space Flight Center | Combined Analysis of GPM and MODIS Datasets to Unveil the Climatological Relationships Between Clouds and Precipitation |
| Pettersen | Claire | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Leveraging GPM and Ground-Based Measurements to Examine High-Latitude Extreme Precipitation |
| Rapp | Anita | Texas A & M, College Station | Towards Understanding Variability in Precipitation-Anvil Area Relationships |
| Reed | Kevin | State University of New York, Stony Brook | Quantifying the Link Between Organized Convection and Extreme Precipitation |
| Rutledge | Steven | Colorado State University | Cloud Microphysical Studies and Precipitation Estimation Using GPM |
| Schumacher | Courtney | Texas A & M, College Station | Analysis of Overturning Meridional Circulations Across the Tropics Using TRMM PR and GPM DPR Observations and a GCM Precipitation Radar Simulator |
| Tanelli | Simone | Jet Propulsion Laboratory | Experimental Solver for DPR measurements Affected by Higher-Order Effects |
| Tavakoly | Ahmad | University of Maryland, College Park | Enabling the U.S. Army Streamflow Prediction Tool to Utilize GPM Products in Operation |
| Thompson | Elizabeth | University of Washington, Seattle | Comparison of Oceanic Acoustic Rain Measurements with Downscaled IMERG Rainfall for the Study of Air-Sea Interaction |
| Turk | Francis | Jet Propulsion Laboratory | Establishing Self-Consistency Amongst Precipitation Estimates from Constellation Radiometers to Account for Surface and Environmental Variability Throughout the TRMM+GPM Era |
| Williams | Christopher | University of Colorado, Boulder | Analyzing NASA Ground Validation Observations to Quantify the Impact of Precipitation Non-Uniform Beam Filling (NUBF) on Satellite Rainfall Retrieval Algorithms |
| Wood | Norman | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Investigating Orographic Snowfall Processing over Complex Terrain on the DPR Domain |
| Zhang | Fuqing | Pennsylvania State University | Advanced Hurricane Analysis and Prediction Through Convection-Allowing Ensemble Assimilation of Multi-Sensor All-Sky Satellite Radiance Observations |
PMM Principal Investigators funded under NASA Internal Work Packages
GPM Algorithm Work Packages (Jan 2018 Summary)
NASA Headquarters has authorized a new funding strategy called "Work Packages" whereby key Principal Investigators at NASA centers who are repeatedly funded under ROSES calls are preselected outside of the ROSES call. This is a listing of the approved Work Package Principal Investigators and their topics for the 10th PMM ROSES Science Team (nominally 2018-2020).
| Principal Investigator | Title | Task Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Cecil, Daniel | Better Understanding GPM Radiometer Measurements Using Ground-Based Radar | GPM, TRMM and related satellites have observed a huge number of precipitating systems around the globe. Pairing high-quality ground-based radar data with coincident satellite observations helps us learn to better interpret the satellite data, and to apply that understanding to satellite observations from otherwise data-sparse regions. This work aims to (a) improve understanding of how different hydrometeor types (and their vertical profiles and amounts) relate to observed satellite measurements; (b) investigate precipitation retrieval quality (error characteristics and biases) associated with particular hydrometeor types or profiles; (c) investigate characteristics of precipitation systems (and their related weather and climate patterns) around the globe. Click here for more info. |
| Huffman, George | Extending the IMERG Multi-Sensor Level 3 Precipitation Product into Polar Regions |
Comprehensive science algorithm development, implementation, maintenance, and validation, including user support, for quasi-global combined-satellite precipitation estimates at fine time/space scales, both in near-real and post-real time. This work includes extending the Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) to polar regions. |
| Meneghini, Robert | Path Attenuation Estimates from the Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar |
Development, scientific enhancement and validation of the Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) Surface Reference Technique (SRT) will be pursued by extending the dual-frequency version of the method (DSRT) to the new proposed scan geometry. In addition, hybrid path attenuation estimates will be formulated by merging the SRT with the the Hitschfeld-Bordan (HB) method of attenuation correction, which performs well at light rain rates. Tests of the performance of the hybrid estimates will be done by adding new code and new output variables to existing operational codes. |
| Munchak, Stephen | Improved Representation of Active and Passive Surface Characteristics in the GPM DPR-GMI Combined Precipitation Algorithm |
Continue to improve representation of surface properties through physical and statistical models that account for correlated properties of emissivity and radar backscatter in the CORRA forward model. Integrate retrievals of surface and atmospheric state (including ocean surface wind, land emissivity, water vapor, clouds, and light precipitation) in regions where DPR does not detect precipitation. |
| Olson, William | Continued Development and Validation of Ice- and Mixed-Phase Precipitation Models for the GPM Combined Radar-Radiometer Algorithm |
The overall effort is aimed at the development, delivery, maintenance, and validation of the Combined Radar-Radiometer Algorithm (CORRA) by improving the physical parameterizations of precipitation in all phases. The science emphasis will be on the further exploitation of non-spherical ice and mixed-phase precipitation particle models, as well as particle size/habit distribution evolution simulations, to support improved descriptions of the bulk radiative properties of these precipitation types in the algorithm. Precipitation phase transitions in stratiform, convective, and near-convective regimes will be addressed. Validation of particle models will employ airborne remote sensing and in situ data from recent field campaigns, as well as GPM DPR-GMI data and coincident ground observations. |
| Petersen, Walter | Validation of GPM Precipitation Retrieval Algorithms across the Precipitation Continuum |
Existing GPM-GV field and Validation Network datasets collected in warm and cold-season regimes are used to relate 3-D precipitation character and process variability to GPM retrieval algorithm constraints and performance. GV polarimetric radar and disdrometer-derived quantities of precipitation rate/content, type (rain, snow, convective, stratiform), and size distribution are processed and analyzed to relate dominant inter- and intra-footprint scale precipitation process/parameter variability to performance and improvement of key GPM algorithm components including path integrated attenuation, non uniform beam filling, retrieval of the rain drop size distribution, and estimation of rain and snow water-equivalent rates. |
| Peters-Lidard, Christa | Dynamic Emissivity Estimates to Support Physical Precipitation Retrievals for GPM (continued) |
This work will provide dynamic emissivity estimates over land surfaces to support physical precipitation retrievals for GPM. The dynamic emissivity approaches include physical variables such as leaf area index and soil moisture as well as empirical combinations of channel brightness temperatures, including their time variations. These global emissivity estimates are to be integrated and tested within the GMI GPROF algorithm. |
| Tao, Wei-Kuo | Advancing the Retrieval of Latent Heating for PMM with Improved Simulations of Convective, Synoptic, and Cold Season Systems and their Associated Microphysical and Precipitation Processes |
This work includes improving simulations/models for a wide range of precipitating cloud systems, from weak, unorganized isolated rain showers to intense mesoscale convective precipitation systems to large-scale synoptic snow storms, and their associated precipitation structures, latent heat release profiles and cloud microphysical processes. Data from GPM field campaigns will be used to validate and improve the microphysical processes in the high-resolution numerical models. Consequently, this work also expands and improves the performance of the Goddard Convective-Stratiform Heating (CSH) algorithm for the TRMM and GPM eras by using the improved model simulated latent heating, radiation and surface rain/snowfall data. |
PMM / GPM International Collaborator Team
Leveraging of GPM international partner research activities and infrastructure enables coordinated global precipitation remote sensing research and ground validation activities to be conducted. Here “global” refers to both geography and precipitation regime- enabling gap-filling observations and complementary research to more completely validate satellite observations around the globe. Within this framework specific collaborations between PMM Science Team investigators, GPM GV, and international partners have been sought. Currently active * collaborations are outlined in the below table.
| Country | Investigators | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | P. Salio | Ground validation of in a sub-tropical convective precipitation environment |
| Australia | P. May, A. Protat | Land/Sea-based direct GV, precipitation process studies and field measurements in the southern hemisphere tropics and mid-latitudes |
| Austria | J. Fuchsberger, G. Kirchenghast, S. O | Ground validation and rain variability in the mid-latitudes using the dense WegenerNet network |
| Belgium | S. Lhermitte | Snow process studies and measurement, Antarctica |
| Brazil | L. Machado, D. Vila, C. Angelis | Ground validation and storm system process studies in the tropics/sub-tropics, field measurements |
| Canada | D. Hudak, P. Joe (WMO) | Ground validation, snow process studies and field measurements in the mid and high-latitudes |
| Colombia | G. Poveda | Validation of the TRMM and GPM precipitation products using information from raingauges in Colombia |
| European Union (ECMWF) | P. Bauer, A. Geer | GPM data for model data assimilation |
| Finland | A.-M. Harri, D. Moisseev, A. von Lerber | Ground validation, snow process studies and field measurements, High-Latitudes |
| France | R. Roca, N. Viltard, F. Aires | Megha Tropiques Mission, data and algorithms, global land surface emission (Aires) |
| France | G. Delrieu | Cooperation in the Hydrological Cycle Mediterranean Experiment |
| Italy | G. Pannegrossi, V. Levizzani (IPWG), L. Baldina, S. Puca, G. Vulpiani | HSAF precipitation retrieval algorithms, ground-validation, GV radar calibration/measurement practices, mid-latitude Mediterranean region |
| Korea | G. Ryu, G. Lee, S. Joo | Ground validation, precipitation process studies and field measurement (rain, orographic snow), mid-latitudes land/sea. |
| Korea | KD. Ahn, G. Lee and S. Joo | ICE-POP collaboration in study of winter precipitation |
|
Netherlands |
H. Leijnse (KNMI), R. Uijlenhoet | Validation of Satellite Based Precipitation Estimates in the Netherlands |
| Portugal | Vasco Mantas | Ground validation, ecologic applications, dissemination tools. |
| Spain | F. Tapiador | Ground Validation, precipitation character and variability, field measurements, mid-latitudes |
| Switzerland | A. Berne | Ground validation, precipitation field measurements, Alpine orographic snow processes, mid-latitudes |
| United Kingdom | A. Battaglia | Active/passive radiative modeling, multiple scattering processes, field measurements, physical ground-validation |
| United Kingdom | J. Crosier | GPM Validation in the United Kingdom |
* Note: The formal list of collaborators is dynamic, often a function of partner funding status and guided research focus.