Belay Demoz

Belay Demoz serves as Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and Director of the Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET), with an adjunct Professor appointment at the University of Utah. Previously, he held professorship and Director of Graduate Studies positions at Howard University and worked as a NASA contractor and civil servant at Goddard Space Flight Center.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Atmospheric Physics from the University of Nevada and Desert Research Institute (1992)

Dr. Demoz's research centers on atmospheric physics instrumentation, tropospheric dynamics, and climate policy, with expertise in lidar remote sensing and mesoscale observation systems. His work addresses cloud physics, boundary layer phenomena, and the societal impacts of climate science through policy engagement. The Demoz Group conducts observation-based studies of thermodynamic processes, instrument error characterization, and trace gas effects on human health, emphasizing network design for capturing dynamic atmospheric variability.

His 2010-2014 publications reveal strong focus on observational meteorology, particularly lidar applications for boundary layer analysis, climate monitoring networks (GRUAN), and West African climate systems. Key trends include advancing remote sensing techniques for atmospheric profiling and examining climate-agriculture linkages in vulnerable regions.

Dr. Demoz has held significant leadership roles including Chair of the American Meteorological Society's Committee for Atmospheric LIDAR Application Studies (CLAS) and membership in the Atmospheric Observation Panel for Climate (AOPC) Working Group on GRUAN. He has served as Associate Editor for the Journal of Geophysical Research and Earthzine, and organized major international field campaigns including WAVES 2007, IHOP2002, and PECAN 2015.

As JCET Director, he leads collaborative research between UMBC and NASA Goddard, focusing on instrument development and climate observation strategies. His group actively investigates weak climate signals, health impacts of trace gases, and regional instrumentation deployment for optimal atmospheric monitoring.