American research lab the right atmosphere for UQ student

A University of Queensland researcher has travelled to the United States to extend his work into atmospheric pollution.

Michael Hewson, a PhD student from The School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management has been working at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Colorado since January.

His research investigates how pollution in the atmosphere may inhibit rainfall in South-east Queensland.

“I'm with the assimilation and modelling branch – where around 20 researchers are working away on weather models. My host for instance, is tweaking a numerical weather model forecast of extraneous nuclear power plant material movement to assist Japanese authorities,” Mr Hewson said.

His research proposes to use remote sensing, weather models and geo-statistics to map aerosol, cloud and rainfall parameters to draw his conclusions.

“My PhD project requires a mechanism to extrapolate satellite aerosol optical depth images (obtained in clear sky conditions) to that present for rainy conditions,” he said.

While in Colorado Mr Hewson also hopes to assist the National Centre for Atmospheric Research.

Originally Mr Hewson planned to conduct his work at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. However, the recent earthquake in Christchurch led him to approach the NOAA where the chemistry transport version of WRF is manufactured and transformed into meteorological and climate modelling products.

Media: Kate Swanson (07 3346 7406, k.swanson@uq.edu.au)