Joseph A. Shaw

Joseph A. Shaw is a Professor and Director of the Optical Technology Center at Montana State University's Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering, with affiliations in Electrical & Computer Engineering, the Institute on Ecosystems, Energy Research Institute, and Montana Nanotechnology Facility. His work pioneers optical remote sensing for environmental discovery.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, 1996
• M.S. in Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, 1994
• M.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Utah, 1989
• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1987

Research Focus: Dr. Shaw designs radiometric and polarimetric imaging systems and lidars for environmental monitoring. His lab explores atmospheric optics (cloud imaging, sky polarization), ecological applications (aquatic lidar, drone-based river mapping), and natural phenomena (lunar polarization, solar eclipses), transforming scientific questions into engineering solutions.

Publication Trends: Recent work emphasizes polarization imaging for lunar/atmospheric studies, hyperspectral remote sensing for ecological monitoring (e.g., river algae), and advanced lidar for 3D insect mapping. His publications consistently bridge instrumentation innovation with field validation across Earth science domains.

Scientific Recognition: Honored with the G. G. Stokes Award (SPIE, 2019), PECASE (1999), and dual Fellow status (SPIE/Optica), Dr. Shaw's impact spans academia and industry.

• Distinguished Professor (MSU, 2020)
• Provost's Award for Graduate Mentoring (MSU, 2020)
• Stokes Award in Optical Polarization (SPIE, 2019)
• Vilho Vaisala Award (WMO, 2000)
• Fellow (SPIE, 2008)
• Fellow (Optica, 2004)

Mentorship & Funding: As a dedicated advisor (2020 Provost's Award), he secures grants from the US Air Force Research Lab, S2 Corporation, and NSF for projects including polarimetric lidar, digital holography, and hyperspectral crop monitoring.

• Polarimetric Imaging Lidar: US Air Force Research Lab
• S2/AFRL EBAC/Lidar: S2 Corp (2023-2024)
• CREWS YR4: University of Montana
• Hyperspectral Soybean Imaging: Iowa State University

Research Infrastructure: Directing the Optical Remote Sensor Laboratory (ORSL), Dr. Shaw leads a team developing cutting-edge optical systems—from infrared cloud imagers to fish-detecting lidars—supporting interdisciplinary environmental research across Montana and beyond.