Katherine Pitts Email & Phone Number

Washington, DC, US

Greenbelt, MD

• Recognized with multiple awards for valuable contributions to the GOES-R Mission's successI am a part of the GOES-R Program's Product Readiness and Operations team, focusing on product quality validation for all.
• Collaborating with calibration and algorithm working groups and the Flight Project to update 24 Readiness, Implementation, and Management Plan documents for GOES-T and GOES-U post-launch product tests
• Coordinating post-launch test events with the Post-Launch Test Director to meet Program requirements for product maturity review deadlines
• Conducting product validation reviews to ensure on-orbit products align with mission requirements
• Developing Python scripts to automate tasks, resulting in up to 12x time savingsI am also actively engaged in various other activities, including:
• Leading the overhaul of the GOES-R Mesoscale Mission Manager tool, enhancing its user-friendliness and flexibility for National Weather Service forecasters

• Freelance Consulting Services:
• Expertise in meteorological and air quality data acquisition, analysis, and visualization
• Conduct in-depth literature research, compile comprehensive reports, and manage files with a strong focus on quality assurance
• Skillfully maintain and update company website and craft engaging outreach materials
• Fulfill the role of Web Administrator for The EnviroComp Institute
• Designed, developed, and currently administer website for The Air Pollution Scientific Initiative

• Honored with a NASA Group Silver Achievement Medal and two NASA Group Achievement Awards for outstanding contributions to the success of the ICESat-2 missionR&D LiDAR Analyst in the Geospatial Laser Applications and.
• Innovated algorithmic solutions to automate feature extraction from LiDAR data
• Pioneered the algorithm for deriving land and vegetation heights in support of NASA's ICESat-2 mission (ATL08 product)
• Authored software user guides and contributed to algorithm theoretical basis documents
• Demonstrated versatility by assuming roles as a supervisor, technical lead, and valuable collaborator across multiple projects

• Enhanced efficiency by optimizing a filtering and gridding algorithm with MATLAB, resulting in improved data processing
• Conducted rigorous comparisons of cloud parameters derived from MODIS satellite measurements and CMIP5 model simulations, contributing valuable insights to the field
• Performed detailed analysis of overlap between Suomi NPP VIIRS and Aqua MODIS cloud products, furthering understanding of these datasets
• Shared research findings and insights with the scientific community by presenting at conferences hosted by the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS)

• Proficiently guided students in the analysis of satellite radiance and brightness temperature data, fostering their understanding of remote sensing
• Delivered instruction on the analysis of MODIS, GOES, and AIRS imagery using McIDAS-V visualization software, equipping students with essential skills for interpreting and utilizing these valuable datasets

• Provided valuable assistance to student in comprehending atmospheric temperature profile data, facilitating their grasp of meteorological concepts
• Expertly guided student in co-locating and comparing AIRS satellite data with radiosonde measurements, promoting a deeper understanding of atmospheric science

San Jose, CA

• Leveraged IDL to conduct in-depth comparisons of hydrological parameters derived from GRACE satellite measurements against CMIP3 models, contributing to the advancement of hydrological science
• Shared research findings by presenting results at renowned conferences organized by the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS), as well as the SJSU College of Science Research Day
• After graduation, continued to collaborate with the thesis committee to publish updated findings utilizing CMIP5 model output, demonstrating a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge

San Jose, CA

• Utilized MATLAB to support comprehensive data analysis related to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and its influence on coastal fog, contributing to climate research
• Assumed the responsibility of grading assignments for an undergraduate Global Climate Change class, aiding in the educational development of future climate scientists

Sunnyvale, CA

• Developed strategic route plans for ocean vessels, considering weather factors, ocean conditions, fuel efficiency, and areas of potential pirate activity, ensuring safe and efficient navigation

Sunnyvale, CA

• Consistently met stringent deadlines for the timely update of weather fronts and tropical activity products, ensuring critical information was readily available to support decision-making
• Skillfully crafted marine weather fronts on observational analysis and modeled forecast maps, enhancing the quality of weather information for maritime operations
• Leveraged satellite imagery and tropical forecast advisories to maintain accuracy and relevance in the tropical storm product
• Demonstrated strong leadership by providing comprehensive training to new personnel in both Weather Data Technician and Position Entry roles, contributing to their professional development and the team's success

Sunnyvale, CA

• Efficiently recorded vessel position and weather data from ship master messages into the database, ensuring the availability of up-to-date and accurate information
• Responsibly communicated time-sensitive messages directly to supervisors, facilitating prompt decision-making and smooth operations

• Team Lead of Climate Change Group:Recognized with a prestigious NASA Group Achievement Award as a key member of the NASA Ames Climate Adaptation Science Investigation Team for outstanding support of Agency programs.
• Acted as the primary liaison for the research group, fostering effective communication between advisors, mentors, and external collaborators
• Leveraged each team member's strengths by delegating responsibilities, providing opportunities for growth through challenging assignments, and ensuring timely production of deliverables
• Maintained a commitment to excellence by consistently delivering research results well before established deadlines
• Actively presented research findings at conferences hosted by the American Geophysical Union (AGU), American Meteorological Society (AMS), American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), and NASA Ames.
• Conducted a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of climate change on California's diverse ecosystems

• Team Lead of Climate Change Group:Recognized with a prestigious NASA Group Achievement Award as a key member of the NASA Ames Climate Adaptation Science Investigation Team for outstanding support of Agency programs.
• Acted as the primary liaison for the research group, fostering effective communication between advisors, mentors, and external collaborators
• Leveraged each team member's strengths by delegating responsibilities, providing opportunities for growth through challenging assignments, and ensuring timely production of deliverables
• Maintained a commitment to excellence by consistently delivering research results well before established deadlines
• Actively presented research findings at conferences hosted by the American Geophysical Union (AGU), American Meteorological Society (AMS), American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), and NASA Ames.
• Conducted an in-depth analysis of potential flood risk to NASA Ames Research Center under future climate projections, contributing to proactive planning and adaptation strategies

• Gathered data from NWS Daily Climate Reports for various cities within the San Francisco Bay Area, ensuring access to up-to-date weather information
• Proficiently employed WSI media software to generate on-air weather maps for the current day in the Bay Area, providing audiences with timely and accurate weather updates
• Utilized forecasting skills to predict short-term temperatures, contributing to precise and reliable weather reporting
• Designed forecast temperature maps for on-air presentation, enhancing the visual appeal and informative value of weather broadcasts

Master Of Science (Ms), Atmospheric Sciences

Thesis: Vertical Distribution of Cloud Liquid Water and Ice: A Comparison of MODIS Satellite Observations and the GISS Global Climate Model

Master Of Science (Ms), Meteorology

Thesis: Assessment of Water Storage Trends and Distributions in the Mississippi River Basin as Simulated by IPCC Models and Compared to.

Bachelor'S Degree, Radio-Television-Film

Minor: Atmospheric & Seismic Hazards