Ali Omar (NASA)
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Title: Head, Lidar Science Branch
Technical Focus Areas: Lidar Science, Atmospheric Composition, Applied Science, Air Quality & Weather, Airborne Science
Mission/Project: CALIPSO, ACCP
Study Topics: Aerosols, Lidar Algorithms, Aerosol Typing
Email: Ali.H.Omar@nasa.gov
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About:
Dr. Ali Omar is the Head of the Lidar Science Branch (E304) at NASA Langley Research Center. He oversees the development of new lidar systems, their maturation for airborne and space-based platforms and the development of algorithms for converting lidar measurements to geophysical parameters. In this capacity, he provides institutional resources, scientific and engineering expertise, and guidance to enable missions, research, and technology development and general support and guidance to 63 scientists and engineers in E304. Prior to his current assignment, Dr. Omar was detailed to NASA HQ and served as the Associate Program Manager for Health & Air Quality Applications where he oversaw project progress and the application of Earth science products to various decision-making activities. As the Mission Applications Representative for PACE responsible Atmosphere & Air Quality Applications, he was responsible for integrating applications into mission requirements in the early design Phase (pre-Phase A). As the Physical Scientist at NASA LaRC, Dr. Omar is science team member of the Cloud and Aerosol Lidar Infrared imager Pathfinder Spaceborne Observations (CALIPSO) mission and led the development and testing of aerosol extinction-to-backscatter-ratio, and aerosol subtyping algorithms for its space-borne measurements. He also serves as the Principal Investigator for the AERONET System at NASA LaRC. In 2016, Dr. Omar was elected Secretary of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Global Environmental Change Section where he served 2 terms until January 2020, the AGU Macelwane Medal Committee for the 2020-2021 term. Dr. Omar is also a member of the NOAA Science Advisory Board Climate Working Group.
Publication Bibliography:
Select Publications:
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The CALIPSO automated aerosol classification and lidar ratio selection algorithm AH Omar, DM Winker, MA Vaughan, Y Hu, CR Trepte… – Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 2009
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Overview of the CALIPSO mission and CALIOP data processing algorithms DM Winker, MA Vaughan, A Omar, Y Hu, KA Powell… – Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 2009
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The CALIPSO lidar cloud and aerosol discrimination: Version 2 algorithm and initial assessment of performance Z Liu, M Vaughan, D Winker, C Kittaka, B Getzewich, R Kuehn, A Omar, … – Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 2009
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Fully automated analysis of space-based lidar data: An overview of the CALIPSO retrieval algorithms and data products MA Vaughan, SA Young, DM Winker, KA Powell, AH Omar, Z Liu, YX Hu, CA Hostetler… – Laser radar techniques for atmospheric sensing, 2004
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Development of global aerosol models using cluster analysis of Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) measurements AH Omar, JG Won, DM Winker, SC Yoon, O Dubovik… – Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 2005
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CALIPSO lidar observations of the optical properties of Saharan dust: A case study of long‐range transport Z Liu, A Omar, M Vaughan, J Hair, C Kittaka, Y Hu… – Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 2008
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CALIPSO lidar observations of the optical properties of Saharan dust: A case study of long‐range transport Z Liu, A Omar, M Vaughan, J Hair, C Kittaka, Y Hu… – Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 2008
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Dust Lidar Ratios Retrieved from the CALIOP Measurements Using the MODIS AOD as a Constraint MH Kim, SW Kim, AH Omar – Remote Sensing, 2020
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Plankton Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem mission: atmosphere measurements for air quality applications AH Omar, M Tzortziou, O Coddington, LA Remer – Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, 2018
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The CALIPSO version 4 automated aerosol classification and lidar ratio selection algorithm K Man-Hae, AH Omar, JL Tackett, MA Vaughan… – Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 2018
Professional Memberships:
- AGU
- AMS
Education:
- PhD – Civil Engineering, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana
- MS – Aeronautical Engineering, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana
- BS – Aerospace Engineering, Saint Louis University
National/International Leadership:
- NOAA Science Advisory Board Climate Working Group Member (2020- )
- Secretary, AGU Global Environmental Change Section (2015-19)
- AGU Macelwane Medal Committee for the 2020-2021 term
Hobbies/Interests:
Volleyball
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