M. Joan Alexander is an atmospheric scientist known for her research on gravity waves and their role in atmospheric circulation.
Education and career
Alexander earned a B.S. in chemistry from Purdue University in 1981 and a M.S. in Astrophysical, Planetary & Atmospheric Sciences from University of Colorado, Boulder in 1989.[1] She then completed her Ph.D. in Astrophysical, Planetary & Atmospheric Sciences in 1992 from the University of Colorado, Boulder.[2]
Following her Ph.D., Alexander worked at Hughes Aircraft Company, Great Lakes Chemical Company, Martin Marietta Aerospace Corporation before moving to the University of Colorado, Boulder as a Research Assistant in 1987. In 1992 she moved to the University of Washington, first as postdoctoral faculty (1992-1994) and then as a research assistant professor. In 1998 she joined NorthWest Research Associates where she is a senior research scientist;[3] she also holds the position of Professor Adjoint at the University of Colorado, Boulder.[4]
From 2004 to 2006, Alexander was the president of the Atmospheric Sciences section of the American Geophysical Union.[5]
Research
Alexander's research interests include atmospheric dynamics, waves, convection, global circulation modeling, mesoscale modeling, satellite, aircraft, balloon-borne observations, and middle atmosphere studies.[6] Alexander's early research examined changes in atomic oxygen in the atmospheres of Venus [7] and Mars.[8] Following this period, she began examining waves in the atmosphere such as high-frequency gravity waves formed during storms.[9][10] She also established the conditions to adequately characterize gravity waves in the stratosphere,[11] how to parameterize gravity waves in climate models,[12] and how satellite imagery can be used to track atmospheric gravity waves.[13][14] Through this research, Alexander is able to link gravity waves with climate modeling[15][16] and modeling of storms.[17]
Alexander's research uses high altitude balloons that circle the globe in the stratosphere and collect data on the air and winds.[18] In 2020, Alexander received funding from the National Science Foundation to use data from balloons being launched by Loon LLC to provide internet service; the high resolution data from the balloons will allow Alexander and colleagues to track gravity waves in the atmosphere and use the resulting data to improve weather and climate models.[19][20]
