The Team
Gravity Wave Zoo has been developed by the Upper Atmosphere - Space Environment Astrophysics group at Arizona State University, USA.
Research Team
Jessica Berkheimer - Jessica is an astrophysics Ph.D. student at Arizona State University, working with Dr. Katrina Bossert to study atmospheric gravity waves and their role in transporting momentum throughout the Earth's atmosphere. Jessica uses an O.H. airglow imager located at the Poker Flat Research Range in Fairbanks, Alaska, to capture images of gravity waves, instabilities, and breaking near an altitude of 86 km. Jessica loves doing outreach and getting people interested and involved in science.
Katrina Bossert - Dr. Katrina Bossert is a space physicist who studies dynamics in the near-space region. She uses optical remote sensing instrumentation to examine coupling between the lower atmosphere and thermosphere-ionosphere system. She received her B.S./M.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder and her Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder. She joined ASU after two years as an assistant professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her current projects include investigating the effects of terrestrial weather on space weather and studying the implications of wave breakdown and turbulence in the spacecraft reentry region.
Jessica Norrell combines ground-based instruments and satellite data to observe atmospheric
perturbations in Earth's thermosphere and ionosphere. She received her B.A. in Astronomy-Physics from Boston University in 2021, where she worked extensively with their network of imagers to study red airglow. Current research involves gravity wave observations via multiple satellites, all-sky imagers, and lidar, focusing on events over North America. Additional interests include atmospheric dynamics on other planets, particularly the generation of waves in the Venusian atmosphere.
Sophie is an Astrophysics PhD Candidate working with Dr. Bossert on lower atmospheric drivers of atmospheric dynamics on Earth, including gravity waves. She is interested in better understanding gravity wave dynamics and how they evolve into upper regions of the atmosphere, such as the thermosphere. She uses observational data from ground-based and satellite instruments to study short-term and seasonal atmospheric behavior; remote sensing and reanalysis tools are powerful devices to gain information from the troposphere to the thermosphere. In her free time, she enjoys singing, playing soccer, and cuddling with her pet cat, Thomas.
Karina Muñoz is a returning student at Arizona State University. She earned her BS in Science, Technology, and Society with a minor in Digital Audience in 2021. Currently, Karina is pursuing a second BS in Astronomical and Planetary Sciences. Her research experience includes conducting multispectral observations and calibrations with the MSL/Mastcam team for the Curiosity and Perseverance Rovers, as well as engaging in astronomical imaging and studying exoplanet transits. Karina's interests extend to astronomy education programs, as well as the study of stellar evolution and compact objects.
Tyler Karasinski is an astrophysics Ph.D. student working with the Near-Earth Space Sensing Group under Dr. Katrina Bossert at Arizona State University. He studies seasonal variability in atmospheric gravity waves and their relationship to sudden stratospheric warming, as well as other atmospheric phenomena. Originally from the east coast, Tyler received his B.S. in physics from St. Lawrence University where he studied the masses of hydrogen-rich spiral galaxies. Tyler is passionate about science education and outreach. In his free time, he enjoys music, hiking, and going outside to explore.
Denise Thorsen - Alaska State University
Richard Collins - Alaska State University
Jintai Li - Alaska State University
