Dr. Lewis received his B.S. degree from Norfolk State University (1999) and a M.S. degree from Georgia Institute of Technology (2002), both in physics. After teaching in the public school system for several years, he continued his education at Hampton University and received a Ph.D. in physics/atmospheric science in 2010. He is currently an assistant research scientist in the Joint Center for Earth System Technology and conducts research at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as a member of the Micropulse Lidar Network (MPLNET) science team.
Research Interest
Dr. Lewis' research interests include remote sensing of cirrus clouds and the planetary boundary layer.
Micropulse Lidar Network
A federated network of ground-based lidar systems designed to measure aerosol and cloud vertical structure
EarthCARE Cal/Val
Comparing ground-based lidar retrievals of aerosol and cloud properties to the spaceborne lidar aboard the EarthCARE satellite
2012
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Present
Assistant Research Scientist
Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research (GESTAR) II,
University of Maryland Baltimore County Conducted research in atmospheric remote sensing and boundary layer climatology using measurements from the Micropulse Lidar Network (MPLNET). Responsible for algorithm development and data quality control/quality assurance.
2010
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2012
NASA Postdoctoral Fellow
NASA Postdoctoral Program,
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Developed algorithms for the detection of cloud and boundary layer heights for use in the Micropulse Lidar Network (MPLNET). Research focuses on the validation and improvement of atmospheric models using lidar measurements.
2006
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2009
Doctoral Fellow
National Institute for Aerospace,
NASA Langley Research Center Conducted aerosol profile measurements using an airborne elastic backscatter lidar. Compared aerosol lidar profiles to aerosol optical depth measurements from the MODIS instrument aboard the Aqua/Terra satellites and in-situ PM2.5 mass concentrations in field campaigns in Virginia and the California Central Valley.
Instructor (Summer 2018)
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Co-taught a research-based internship for undergraduates in which they learned about climate change and produced videos highlighting UMBC’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality. The videos for the project, named Carbon Zero, were used on the university’s social media platforms and are located on the UMBC Sustainability Matters website.
Doctor of Philosophy (May 2010)
Hampton University: Physics/Atmospheric Science
Master of Science (May 2022)
Georgia Institute of Technology: Physics
Bachelor of Science (May 1999)
Norfolk State University: Physics/Electronics Engineering
American Geophysical Union,
2010
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Present
American Meteorological Society,
2010
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Present
IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society ,
2010
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Present
National Society of Black Physicsist,
2009
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Present
UMBC Climate Action Steering Committee
Science Software Development, GSFC Earth Science Division Performance Award (2020)
Best Senior Author Publication, GSFC Earth Science Division Performance Award (2017)
Alan Berman Research Publication Award, Naval Research Laboratory (2015, 2017)
03/01/2021 -
02/28/2025
EarthCARE Cal/Val Using the NASA Micro Pulse Lidar Network (MPLNET),
NASA Grant #80NSSC21K0560
Principle Investigator
01/01/2014 -
01/01/2017
Understanding Spatiotemporal Variability in Urban Mixed Layer Heights through Observations and Modeling,
NASA Contract #NNH14CM13C
Co-Investigator
