Bharat Rastogi

Bharat Rastogi is an Assistant Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Colorado Boulder, focusing on terrestrial carbon cycle dynamics and climate feedbacks. His research integrates ecosystem-scale measurements, regional atmospheric modeling, and remote sensing to address questions about plant-atmosphere interactions under climate change.

Education

• PhD, Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University (2018)
• M.A., Geography, University of California Santa Barbara (2013)
• M.Sc., Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia (2010)
• BSc. (H), Chemistry, University of Delhi (2009)

Research Areas

Rastogi's work spans four interrelated domains:

• Carbon Flux Modeling: Using satellite data (NASA's OCO-2) and atmospheric inversions to quantify North American carbon fluxes.
• Carbonyl Sulfide (OCS) Applications: Leveraging OCS as a proxy for ecosystem-scale photosynthesis and stomatal conductance.
• Canopy Thermal Imaging: Deploying high-frequency thermal cameras to study leaf temperature regulation and its implications for carbon-water exchange.
• Low-Cloud/Fog Analysis: Mapping spatio-temporal patterns of coastal fog using remote sensing and ground observations.

Teaching Philosophy

Rastogi emphasizes critical thinking, quantitative skills, and inclusive pedagogy. He has experience as a teaching assistant at Oregon State University and University of California Santa Barbara, incorporating active learning and flipped classroom techniques.

Labs & Collaborations

He leads the Climate Effects and Atmosphere-Surface Exchange of CO₂ (CEASE CO2) Lab, collaborating with NOAA's Global Monitoring Laboratory and institutions like the University of Minnesota and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.