Prof. Dara Entekhabi

The objective of research within my group is to develop understanding of coupled land-atmosphere processes. The application of this understanding is directed towards the design of skillful pediction systems. The approach begins with the characterization of relevant heterogeneous fields such as precipitation, soil moisture and vegetation. Sensors on board satellites and aircraft, surface radar, and networks of in situ instruments are used to collect data that are then converted into fields of useful variables by merging them with models. In this data assimilation process models impose physical constraints on the retrievals. Recent topics include: Land-atmosphere interaction and boundary layer processes; Dynamics of winter-time extra-tropical atmosphere and its predictability; Data Assimilation: Techniques development and applications; Land evaporation retrieval using multi-platform remotely sensed data; Sensor network model-integration closed-loop control; Surface water-groundwater interaction and hillslope hydrology.