Who’s who
ACADEMIC STAFF
Thorwald Stein
Lecturer in clouds
Interested in convection, dynamics of clouds, turbulence and evaluation of convection and turbulence-permitting numerical models using radar observations.
Chris Westbrook
Lecturer
Interested in cloud microphysics (especially ice), radar & lidar remote-sensing methods, laboratory experiments on ice particle aerodynamics, scattering of electromagnetic waves by complex (ice) particles.
Anthony Illingworth
Emeritus Professor
Interested in use of radar to profile clouds, evaluation of operational forecast models. Scientific leader of EarthCARE mission. Developing new concepts for spaceborne observations of winds and their assimilation into NWP.
Christine Chiu
Colorado State University
Interested in radiative transfer in clouds, novel remote-sensing techniques including 3D scanning cloud radar, and optimal estimation retrieval algorithms.
Robin Hogan
Professor (part time, mostly based at ECMWF)
Interested in radiative transfer, scattering, development of variational retrieval algorithms with application to EarthCARE and other remote-sensing platforms.
RESEARCH STAFF
Shannon Mason
NCEO researcher
Developing retrieval techniques for EarthCARE, especially exploitation of Doppler capability.
Rob Thompson
Postdoctoral Research Scientist and Teaching Fellow
Research into precipitation and rainfall using dual polarisation radar. Radar correction techniques for rainfall estimation.
Karina McCusker
Post Doctoral Research Assistant
Scattering from complex ice particles, and development of fast approximate methods for solution of 3D electromagnetic scattering problems.
Ewan O'Connor
Visiting fellow, primary affiliation FMI
Developing retrieval techniques for turbulence, wind and boundary layer propertied from Doppler lidar. Evaluation of clouds, aerosol and turbulence in numerical models.
John Nicol
Based in New Zealand
Research into radar measurement techniques, especially for WIVERN wind satellite concept. Refractivity and vertical velocity retrieval using radar.
RESEARCH STUDENTS
Ben Courtier
PhD Year 3
Cloud electrification - evaluation of lightning paramterisations using ATD measurements and polarimetric radar observations
Liam Till
PhD Year 2
Updraft structures in convective clouds and the role of updraft mergers on cloud evolution using single Doppler radar.
Alexander Doyle
PhD Year 1
Understanding monsoon cloud development using Doppler weather radar and high-resolution modelling
MET OFFICE @ READING COLLEAGUES
Lee Hawkness-Smith
Radar Scientist Data Assimilation
Assimilation of radar reflectivity into numerical models providing direct observations to constrain the model.
David Simonin
Senior Scientist Data Assimilation
Assimilation of radar derived refractivity change and Doppler radar winds into numerical models
FORMER MEMBERS
Will Keat
Post Doctoral Researcher
Interested in convective initiation and storm morphology, numerical modelling of convection and dual polarisation radar
Caroline Sandford
Based at Met Office
Use of polarimetric variables to improve vertical profile corrections for operational rainfall estimation)
Mark McCorquodale
Post Doctoral Research Assistant
Using 3D-Printed analogues to understand the aerodynamics of complex ice particles.
Matt Feist
Post Doctoral Research Assistant
Turbulence measurement using radar and evaluation of turbulence-permitting numerical models.