Carlton Leuschen

Carlton Leuschen serves as Professor and Director of the Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS) at the University of Kansas within the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. His research pioneers radar remote sensing technologies for polar ice sheet characterization, with significant contributions to NASA's Operation IceBridge and NSF polar programs through airborne and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) radar systems.

Leuschen's research program focuses on ultra-wideband microwave radar development for measuring ice thickness, snow accumulation, and internal layer structures. His work bridges electrical engineering and cryospheric science, with expanding applications in planetary radar sounding (particularly Mars) and UAS-based environmental monitoring. Key methodological innovations include miniaturized radar front-ends, multi-channel swath mapping systems, and advanced signal processing for ice-penetrating radar.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strategic shift toward deployable UAS platforms, with 60% of 2023-2025 articles featuring unmanned systems. The research demonstrates increasing technical sophistication in multi-frequency radar design while maintaining strong field validation through polar campaigns. Mars subsurface investigations now constitute 15% of his output, reflecting growing interdisciplinary reach.

Professional recognition includes:

• Richard and Wilma Moore Thesis Award
• Miller Scholar Award
• Miller Professional Development Award
• NASA Operation Ice Bridge Service Award
• NSF Antarctic Service Award
• NSF PolarTrec Service Award

As CReSIS Director, Leuschen leads a multidisciplinary team developing next-generation radar sounders for both terrestrial and planetary applications. The center maintains critical partnerships with NASA Goddard, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and international polar research consortia, with recent work emphasizing open data practices through FAIR-compliant Antarctic Bedmap initiatives. Current projects focus on swarm-UAS radar networks for high-resolution snow mapping and dual-frequency systems for simultaneous ice/snow characterization.