William Patzert

JPL Research Scientist, Oceanography

Jet Propulsion Laboratory
M/S 300-323
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109
wpatzert@jpl.nasa.gov
Personal Website

Education

B.S., Physics & Mathematics, Purdue University at West Lafayette, Indiana (1964)
Ph.D. Oceanography, University of Hawaii at Honolulu (1972)

Research Interests

• Developing improvements in climate forecasting over North America and elsewhere using NASA-generated global data in concert with longer climate records of land-based temperature & precipitation.
• Analysis and interpretation of global TOPEX Poseidon/Jason sea level height data for the scientific community, "practical customers" and the general public.
• Communicating advice to societal customers that benefit from NASA/JPL-generated climate forecasts.

Professional Experience

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

• Research Scientist (Oceanography), (1983-present)
• Conduct research on the ocean's role in climate variability and publication of scientific/popular articles NASA/JPL media spokesperson for ocean- and climate-related space activities. Responsibilities include working for various NASA/JPL projects and being a member of NASA science teams.
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory Detailee to NASA Headquarters (1983-86 and 1990-93)
• NASA Headquarters Program Manager for Physical Oceanography and Ocean Dynamics Program Scientist, NASA's Scatterometer (NSCAT) & U.S./France TOPEX/Poseidon Missions
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory Detailee to NOAA Headquarters (1994-1996) Helped develop long-term, coordinated U.S. strategy for ocean, earth & atmospheric remote sensing

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Univer. of California, San Diego, Research Oceanographer (1972-83). Conducted research to understand the ocean's role in climate, participated in numerous oceanographic expeditions.