Dr. Ramakrishna Nemani

  
Senior Research Scientist
Biospheric Sciences Branch
Mail Stop: 242-4
NASA Ames Research Center
Moffett Field, CA 94035
Phone: (650) 604-5574
Fax: (650) 604-4680
ramakrishna dot r dot nemani at nasa dot gov

Experience

Twenty five years of experience in theory and application of optical remote sensing, numerical bio-geochemical modeling, climatology and ocean-atmosphere-land coupling. Served as a team member for NASA/EOS/MODIS land team from 1991 to present, in-charge of developing algorithms for vegetation leaf area, net primary production and land surface evaporation. Developed computer code in C and IDL for analysis and image processing of AVHRR, MODIS, SMI, TOVS data. Researched long-term land-atmosphere interactions at local to global scales. Proposed and developed a real-time ecosystem modeling system, integrating surface weather and satellite data. Conducted field campaigns for validating MODIS data. Developed externally funded research programs. Published over 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals. Taught graduate classes and served on graduate research committees. Served as consultant for a number of national and international research organizations. Presented research at national and international meetings. Served as deputy director of a research laboratory for 8 years prior to joining NASA, now directing a group of 10 scientists conducting research related to NASA’s Earth science missions.

Education

Ph.D, Ecological Modeling and Remote Sensing, 1987
University of Montana, Missoula, MT, U.S.A
Dissertation: Mapping forest evapo-transpiration and photosynthesis by coupling satellite data with ecosystem simulation.
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Steven W. Running

M.S., Applied Meteorology, 1982
Punjab Agri. University, Ludhiana, India
Thesis: Influence of shelterbelts on the microclimate and yield of groundnut crop.
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Harpal Singh Mavi

B.S, Agriculture, 1979
A.P. Agcl. University, Hyderabad, India

Professional Experience

Senior Research Scientist, NASA, 2003-present
Research Associate Professor, 1996-2002
NTSG/School of Forestry, University of Montana

National Research Council Fellow, 1997-1998
NASA/Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA

Research Assistant Professor, 1991-1995
NTSG/School of Forestry, University of Montana

Post-Doctoral Fellow, 1990-1991
Department of Geography, University of Toronto, Canada

Awards and Fellowships

National Research Council fellowship, 1997
NASA performance awards 2004, 2005 and 2006
NASA Ames Research Center Scientist of the year 2006

Programs / Missions

Member NASA MODIS Science team
Member NASA/USGS Landsat Science team
Member National Phenology Network

Publications