Bingqing Liu selected NASA PACE Early Adopter

Dr. Bingqing Liu of our School of Geosciences has been selected as an NASA PACE Early Adopter. The PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem) mission by NASA is poised to revolutionize our understanding of Earth's oceans and atmosphere. At its heart is the Hyperspectral Ocean Color Instrument, which will capture unprecedented detail about our planet's aquatic systems. The data generated by PACE will enable researchers to delve into the intricate dynamics of ecosystem with unmatched precision. As a member of NASA PACE Early Adopter team, Dr. Liu will play a pivotal role in enhancing data products, calibration, and validation processes, contributing to the success of the mission.

Dr. Liu will focus on "Future Scenarios of Phytoplankton Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Dynamics in Response to Climate and Restoration using PACE data". The insights gained will inform critical decisions related to environmental conservation and restoration strategies in Louisiana.

Figure caption: An unexplained oyster die-off (reported by NOLA.com), accompanied by algal blooms observed in Aqua-MODIS imagery acquired on Jan 13, 2020, occurred in Louisiana’s lower Barataria Bay, USA.

NASA's PACE mission is scheduled to launch next January, and Dr. Liu has been invited to witness this historic event at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This opportunity exemplifies the significance of Dr. Liu's involvement in this cutting-edge initiative and the department's commitment to pioneering research. Visit the NASA PACE Mission webpage to learn more about this mission.