Randall V. Martin is a scientist, engineer, academic and author. He is the Raymond R. Tucker Distinguished Professor in the Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering, with a courtesy appointment in Computer Science and Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, McKelvey School of Engineering.[1]

Randall V. Martin
Occupation(s)Scientist, engineer, academic and author
Academic background
EducationBS., Electrical Engineering
MSc., Environmental Change and Management
MS., Engineering Sciences
PhD., Engineering Sciences
Alma materCornell University
Oxford University
Harvard University
Academic work
InstitutionsWashington University in St. Louis

Martin's research focuses on characterizing atmospheric composition to address environmental and public health issues through satellite remote sensing, modeling, and measurements, leading projects such as GEOS-Chem,[2] SPARTAN,[3] and contributing to health and environmental assessments.[4] His publications comprise research articles and a textbook. He was named Highly Cited Researcher by the Web of Science,[5] a highly ranked scholar by ScholarGPS[6] and was listed in the top 25 environmental scientists by Research.com.[7] He has received the 2012 Steacie Memorial Fellowship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada,[8] the 2020 American Geophysical Union Atmospheric Sciences Ascent Award,[9] and the 2024 Outstanding Faculty Award from the Washington University Graduate Student Senate.[10]

Education and early career

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Martin earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University in 1996 followed by an MSc in Environmental Change and Management from Oxford University in 1998. He later received an MS (2001) and PhD (2002) in Engineering Sciences from Harvard University, becoming a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics from 2002 to 2003.[1]

Career

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Martin continued his academic career as an assistant professor of Physics and Atmospheric Science at Dalhousie University in 2003, later becoming associate professor in 2007 and Professor in 2011. He joined Washington University in 2019, and subsequently has been serving as the Raymond R. Tucker Distinguished Professor in the Department of Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering, with a courtesy appointment in Computer Science and Engineering[11] He concurrently was a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics from 2003 to 2021.[12]

Martin has been involved in leadership of the global open-source GEOS-Chem model and its community since 2009, serving as Co-Model Scientist and co-chair of various working groups, including the GEOS-Chem High Performance (GCHP) Working Group, before becoming Model Scientist in 2022.[13] He initiated the development of global satellite-based estimates of fine particulate matter and founded the Surface Particulate Matter Network (SPARTAN) in 2012.[3] In 2019, he joined the NASA Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team (HAQAST).[14]

Research

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Martin has contributed to the field of environmental engineering and environmental science by studying the processes affecting atmospheric composition and their implications for climate and air quality, utilizing global modeling, satellite retrievals, and targeted ground-based measurements.[4]

Atmospheric chemistry

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In a collaborative study, Martin interpreted satellite observations of tropical tropospheric ozone columns with the GEOS-Chem model, explaining a prominent scientific question known as the tropical Atlantic paradox.[15] Later, he evaluated the sensitivity of atmospheric oxidants to photochemical effects of aerosols not usually included in global models.[16] Furthermore, he interpreted observations of trace-gases from three satellite platforms to provide top-down constraints on the production of nitric oxide by lightning.[17] He also co-led an investigation into the effects of natural ammonia emissions on atmospheric particles and cloud-albedo radiative effects.[18] He led the development and application of methods for inverse modeling of satellite observations to constrain anthropogenic emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.[19][20] He led the development of a new generation of the high-performance configuration of GEOS-Chem (GCHP).[21]

Satellite remote sensing

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Martin's work on satellite remote sensing has focused on enhancing the detection and analysis of atmospheric trace gases and aerosols to improve understanding of air quality and climate. He created an algorithm to retrieve the global distribution of tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from satellite observations of sunlight reflected from Earth.[22] He further developed a capability for space-based diagnosis of surface ozone sensitivity to anthropogenic emissions.[23] He proposed a method to estimate ground-level NO2 concentrations using scaling factors from GEOS-Chem applied to satellite data, validated with ground-based measurements.[24]

In 2017, Martin co-authored the textbook Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer of Planetary Atmospheres with Kelly Chance, exploring spectroscopy and radiative transfer within atmospheric and planetary science, including knowledge of how stellar or thermal radiation propagates through atmospheres, how that propagation affects radiative forcing of climate, how atmospheric pollutants and greenhouse gases produce unique spectroscopic signatures, how the properties of atmosphere may be quantitatively measured, and how those measurements relate to physical properties. A review published in the Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin stated, "This book provides this fundamental knowledge to a depth that will leave a student with the background to become capable of performing quantitative research on atmospheres."[25]

Global health conditions

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Martin's research has includes investigation into global health conditions as well. In an article that was selected as Paper of the Year by Environmental Health Perspectives, he and colleagues combined remote sensing with information from the GEOS-Chem model to estimate global concentrations of fine particles (PM2.5).[26] He conducted a study to assess the source sector and fuel contributions to ambient PM2.5 and attributable mortality across multiple spatial scales, suggesting substantial health benefits from replacing traditional energy sources.[27] Moreover, alongside colleagues, he identified a reversal of trends in global PM2.5 air pollution over 1998–2019, which they quantitatively attributed to regional contributions.[28]

Selected awards and honors

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  • 2012 – E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada[8]
  • 2020 – Atmospheric Sciences Ascent Award, American Geophysical Union[9]
  • 2024 – Outstanding Faculty Award, Washington University Graduate Student Senate[10]

Bibliography

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Books

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  • Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer of Planetary Atmospheres (2017) ISBN 978–0199662104

Selected articles

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  • Melanie S Hammer; Aaron van Donkelaar; Chi Li; et al. (3 June 2020). "Global Estimates and Long-Term Trends of Fine Particulate Matter Concentrations (1998-2018)". Environmental Science & Technology. doi:10.1021/ACS.EST.0C01764. ISSN 0013-936X. PMID 32491847. Wikidata Q96119672.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Randall Martin". engineering.washu.edu.
  2. ^ "GEOS-Chem Steering Committee". geoschem.github.io.
  3. ^ a b "Core Members". Spartan.
  4. ^ a b "Randall V Martin". scholar.google.com.
  5. ^ "Web of Science". www.webofscience.com.
  6. ^ "Martin named highly ranked scholar by ScholarGPS". engineering.washu.edu. May 20, 2024.
  7. ^ "Randall V. Martin: Environmental Sciences H-index & Awards - Academic Profile | Research.com".
  8. ^ a b Government of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (June 28, 2016). "NSERC - E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowships - Randall Martin". Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
  9. ^ a b "Awards - Atmospheric Sciences". connect.agu.org.
  10. ^ a b "Outstanding Faculty & Staff Awards | Graduate Student Senate | Washington University in St. Louis". gss.wustl.edu.
  11. ^ "Martin named Raymond R. Tucker Distinguished Professor". engineering.washu.edu. March 10, 2023.
  12. ^ "Atmospheres". lweb.cfa.harvard.edu.
  13. ^ "New Software Enables Atmospheric Modeling with Greater Resolution - NASA Science". science.nasa.gov.
  14. ^ "Martin, Dr. Randall". NASA HEALTH AND AIR QUALITY APPLIED SCIENCES TEAM. February 2, 2021.
  15. ^ Randall V. Martin; Arlene Fiore (2002). "Interpretation of TOMS observations of tropical tropospheric ozone with a global model and in situ observations". Journal of Geophysical Research. 107 (D18). Bibcode:2002JGRD..107.4351M. doi:10.1029/2001JD001480. ISSN 0148-0227. Wikidata Q57202573.
  16. ^ Randall V. Martin; Daniel J. Jacob; Robert M. Yantosca; Mian Chin; Paul Ginoux (5 February 2003). "Global and regional decreases in tropospheric oxidants from photochemical effects of aerosols". Journal of Geophysical Research. 108 (D3). Bibcode:2003JGRD..108.4097M. doi:10.1029/2002JD002622. ISSN 0148-0227. Wikidata Q57202561.
  17. ^ Randall V. Martin; Bastien Sauvage; Ian Folkins; Christopher E. Sioris; Christopher Boone; Peter Bernath; Jerry Ziemke (11 May 2007). "Space-based constraints on the production of nitric oxide by lightning". Journal of Geophysical Research. 112 (D9). Bibcode:2007JGRD..112.9309M. doi:10.1029/2006JD007831. ISSN 0148-0227. Wikidata Q57202529.
  18. ^ Betty Croft; G R Wentworth; R V Martin; et al. (15 November 2016). "Contribution of Arctic seabird-colony ammonia to atmospheric particles and cloud-albedo radiative effect". Nature Communications. 7: 13444. Bibcode:2016NatCo...713444C. doi:10.1038/NCOMMS13444. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 5116067. PMID 27845764. Wikidata Q28595514.
  19. ^ L. N. Lamsal; R. V. Martin; A. Padmanabhan; et al. (15 March 2011). "Application of satellite observations for timely updates to global anthropogenic NOxemission inventories". Geophysical Research Letters. 38 (5). Bibcode:2011GeoRL..38.5810L. doi:10.1029/2010GL046476. ISSN 0094-8276. Wikidata Q57202488.
  20. ^ Chulkyu Lee; Randall V. Martin; Aaron van Donkelaar; et al. (18 March 2011). "SO2emissions and lifetimes: Estimates from inverse modeling using in situ and global, space-based (SCIAMACHY and OMI) observations". Journal of Geophysical Research. 116 (D6). Bibcode:2011JGRD..116.6304L. doi:10.1029/2010JD014758. ISSN 0148-0227. Wikidata Q57202495.
  21. ^ Martin, Randall V.; Eastham, Sebastian D.; Bindle, Liam; Lundgren, Elizabeth W.; Clune, Thomas L.; Keller, Christoph A.; Downs, William; Zhang, Dandan; Lucchesi, Robert A.; Sulprizio, Melissa P.; Yantosca, Robert M.; Li, Yanshun; Estrada, Lucas; Putman, William M.; Auer, Benjamin M.; Trayanov, Atanas L.; Pawson, Steven; Jacob, Daniel J. (December 1, 2022). "Improved advection, resolution, performance, and community access in the new generation (version 13) of the high-performance GEOS-Chem global atmospheric chemistry model (GCHP)". Geoscientific Model Development. 15 (23): 8731–8748. Bibcode:2022GMD....15.8731M. doi:10.5194/gmd-15-8731-2022 – via Copernicus Online Journals.
  22. ^ Randall V. Martin; Kelly Chance; Daniel J. Jacob; et al. (2002). "An improved retrieval of tropospheric nitrogen dioxide from GOME". Journal of Geophysical Research. 107 (D20). Bibcode:2002JGRD..107.4437M. doi:10.1029/2001JD001027. ISSN 0148-0227. Wikidata Q57202572.
  23. ^ Randall V. Martin; Arlene M. Fiore; Aaron Van Donkelaar (March 2004). "Space-based diagnosis of surface ozone sensitivity to anthropogenic emissions". Geophysical Research Letters. 31 (6). Bibcode:2004GeoRL..31.6120M. doi:10.1029/2004GL019416. ISSN 0094-8276. Wikidata Q57202554.
  24. ^ L. N. Lamsal; R. V. Martin; A. van Donkelaar; M. Steinbacher; E. A. Celarier; E. Bucsela; E. J. Dunlea; J. P. Pinto (28 August 2008). "Ground-level nitrogen dioxide concentrations inferred from the satellite-borne Ozone Monitoring Instrument". Journal of Geophysical Research. 113 (D16). Bibcode:2008JGRD..11316308L. doi:10.1029/2007JD009235. ISSN 0148-0227. Wikidata Q57202512.
  25. ^ "Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin, Issue No. 150" (PDF).
  26. ^ Aaron van Donkelaar; Randall V Martin; Michael Brauer; Ralph Kahn; Robert Levy; Carolyn Verduzco; Paul J Villeneuve (1 June 2010). "Global estimates of ambient fine particulate matter concentrations from satellite-based aerosol optical depth: development and application". Environmental Health Perspectives. 118 (6): 847–855. doi:10.1289/EHP.0901623. ISSN 0091-6765. PMC 2898863. PMID 20519161. Wikidata Q33969283.
  27. ^ Erin E McDuffie; Randall V Martin; Joseph V Spadaro; et al. (14 June 2021). "Source sector and fuel contributions to ambient PM2.5 and attributable mortality across multiple spatial scales". Nature Communications. 12 (1): 3594. Bibcode:2021NatCo..12.3594M. doi:10.1038/S41467-021-23853-Y. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 8203641. PMID 34127654. Wikidata Q111108211.
  28. ^ Li, Chi; van Donkelaar, Aaron; Hammer, Melanie S.; McDuffie, Erin E.; Burnett, Richard T.; Spadaro, Joseph V.; Chatterjee, Deepangsu; Cohen, Aaron J.; Apte, Joshua S.; Southerland, Veronica A.; Anenberg, Susan C.; Brauer, Michael; Martin, Randall V. (September 2, 2023). "Reversal of trends in global fine particulate matter air pollution". Nature Communications. 14 (1): 5349. Bibcode:2023NatCo..14.5349L. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-41086-z. PMC 10475088. PMID 37660164.