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Dr. Thomas M. Trantow
Research Associate, Geomathematics, Remote Sensing and Cryospheric Sciences Laboratory
Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering
Office Location: ECEE 127
Negribreen, Svalbard, 2017
Focus Areas
- Geomathmatics
- Cryospheric Sciences
- Numerical Modeling of Glacier Processes
- Satellite and Airborne Remote Sensing
- Algorithm Development
- Airborne Field Campaigns on Surging Glaciers
Research Interests
My current research focuses on developing algorithms to extract geophysical signals from NASA's space-based lidar altimeter missions including ICESat-2 and CALIPSO. Geophysical signals include heights of ice-surfaces, sea ice melt-ponds, atmospheric cloud heights and more. Ultimately, I am interested in understanding complex ice dynamics such as glacial surging and other instabilities that present significant uncertainties in our predictions of changes in the Earth system. To this end, much of my research has been centered on modeling surge glaciers while constraining and optimizing model parameters using the large suite of observational data currently available. Satellite observations are supplemented with airborne campaign data collected by flying a helicopter or small airplane over a glacier that is in its surge phase. Campaigns to Negribreen, Svalbard, and Bering Glacier, Alaska, are not only awe-inspiringly beautiful but also provide the necessary perspective to truly comprehend the scale and complexity of our rapidly changing cryosphere.
Education
Ph.D., Geophysics, University of Colorado Boulder, 2020
M.S., Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado Boulder, 2014
B.S., Applied Mathematical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, 2014
Professional Experience
2023 - Present, Research Associate, Geomathematics, Remote Sensing and Cryospheric Sciences Laboratory, University of Colorado,Boulder, CO
2020 - 2022, Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Geomathematics, Remote Sensing and Cryospheric Sciences Laboratory, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
2015 - 2020, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
2012 - 2014, Teaching Assistant, Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO