Sam spends alot of time measuring how aerosol and clouds interact with sunlight to quantify how they affect current and future climate.

My research is focused on cloud and aerosol remote sensing and improvements to measurement techniques and sampling strategies. I am interested in quantifying cloud and aerosol properties in areas difficult to sample from satellite to evaluate their radiative effect on climate and refine process understanding. In this context, I combine remote sensing products of clouds and aerosol from satellite, ground-based, and airborne measurements, while focusing on hyperspectral measurements of transmitted sunlight. I use observations and their interpretations, developed new measurement technologies, and implemented new retrieval methodologies to further the understanding of climate radiative effects. Linking technical aspects of instrument and technology development with remote sensing and process understanding is one of my strong interests. To advance measurement and sampling of the atmosphere, I’ve spent my time planning out research flights and to optimize sampling, through building new tools and interfacing between research pilots and science objectives.