USRA Earth Sciences Selected to Participate in a Range of Research Projects

The Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is very pleased to congratulate its Earth Sciences scientific and technical staff at the National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC), in Huntsville, AL, on their upcoming participation in a number of recently awarded research projects covering a range of critical scientific topics. These awards, which were made under NASA's 2008 Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) program, involve work in key scientific areas that include weather-related data modeling, use of satellite data for environmental analysis and modeling, data collection and analysis for decision support, and the impact of environmental issues on public health. For these projects USRA is partnered with Principal Investigators to provide a broad variety of technical and scientific support and expertise; for many of them USRA scientific and technical staff will also participate as Co-Investigators.

Among the projects in which USRA scientists and staff will participate are:

• Using NASA Data Models to Improve Heat Watch Warning Systems for Decision Support - USRA partnered with Dr. Daniel Johnson, Wright State University
• Enhancing Environmental Public Health Tracking with Satellite-Driven Particle Exposure Modeling and Epidemiology - USRA partnered with Dr. Yang Liu, Harvard School of Public Health
• Linking NASA Environmental Data with a National Public Health Cohort Study to Enhance Public Health Decision Making - USRA partnered with Dr. Leslie McClure, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Incorporating Space-Borne Measurements to Improve Air Quality Decision Support Systems - USRA Co-Is join PI Dr. Arastoo Pour Biazar, University of Alabama in Huntsville

Dr. Frank Curran, Director of USRA's Huntsville facility, cited the Earth Sciences division's participation in multiple awards as a clear demonstration of the Association's strong capabilities in these areas. 'The fact that we are being called upon to participate in multiple research projects over a broad span of scientifically important and topical areas is a testament to both the high quality and the depth of our expertise,' Dr. Curran said. 'We look forward to participating in these exciting efforts.'

The National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) is a collaborative research and education partnership between NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and the seven Alabama universities comprising the Space Science and Technology Alliance (SSTA), including the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). Since its founding in August 2000, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) has worked side-by-side with the MSFC Science Directorate, UAH, and other NSSTC partners, to bring resources and a national perspective to the NSSTC. Scientists and engineers from MSFC, UAH, USRA and other partners work seamlessly within the NSSTC, in collaboration with colleagues across the country and internationally, to successfully safeguard and further advance MSFC's mission in the Earth and space sciences.

Established in 1969 by the National Academy of Sciences, USRA is a private, nonprofit consortium of 104 universities offering advanced degrees in space- and aeronautics-related disciplines. USRA's mission is to conduct leading-edge research, develop innovative technologies, promote space-related education and policy, and operate premier science/technology facilities by involving universities, private industry and government.