Alfred T. C. Chang Memorial Symposium: Speakers
On this page: Symposium Speakers | Symposium Posters | Testimonials
* If you have any memories you wish to share with us, feel free to write short anecdotes and send them to us. We just may present your stories at the symposium on October 12.
Send your stories to Debra Scott (dscott@hsb.gsfc.nasa.gov)
Symposium Speakers
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Symposium Posters
Long Chiu
Center for Earth Observing and Space Research, George Mason University and
NASA/GSFC: Code 974
Variations of Oceanic Evaporation from GSSTF2
Jiarui Dong
NASA/GSFC: Code 974
Factors Affecting the Uncertainty in Remotely Sensed Snow Water Equivalent - abstract
Ann Hsu
USDA-ARS
Evaluation of AMSR-E C-band VS X-band Data for Soil Moisture Retrieval Using Simulation
Michael Jasinski
NASA/GSFC: Code 974
Regional Calibration of Satellite-Derived Snow Depth for Continental-Scale Hydrologic Modeling by Michael Jasinski, Sanja Perica, Jeremy Stoll, and Kaye Brubaker
Richard Kelly
NASA/GSFC: Code 974
Comparison of AMSR-E Snow Depth Retrievals and Ground Measurements Over the Ob River Basin
Dennis Lettenmeier
University of Washington
Assimilating Remotely Sensed Snow Observations Into a Macroscale Hydrologic Mode - abstract
Dong-Bin Shin
GMU
Retrieval Uncertainties in Passive Microwave Rainfall Estimations as Inferred from the TRMM Observation and Simulation Data - abstract
Jim Wang
NASA/GSFC: Code 975
CoSMIR - The New Airborne Millimeter-wave Imaging Radiometer for Sensing Snowfalls and Snow Covers
Testimonials
From Robert Gurney:
Snow is a vital part of the Earth system. The feedbacks on the climate system, the changes in storage which lead to changes in runoff, which in turn affects transport of nitrogen and other chemicals, and the effect of avalanches, all point to its importance. Al Chang was one of the first people to realise that we could use satellites to derive long-term, consistent, quantitative observations of snow, and then drove forward much of the work to carry this out. He was using physically-based techniques to derive hemispheric observations of snow, much before others had even thought of similar work at the land surface. He has had a great international impact with this work, and was very well respected. At the same time, he was quiet and modest. I will miss him, as will many in the international scientific community. He was an example of all that is good about NASA's science, and I am sorry not to be able to be in Goddard with everyone to celebrate his work.
Robert Gurney
Director, NERC Environmental Systems Science Centre
University of Reading, UK
From Paul Houser:
I became head of Goddard's Hydrological Sciences Branch in 2000, at a rather young age - and I was quite intimidated by Dr. Chang. Here is a world-renowned scientist at the top of his field, who was doing cutting-edge hydrological remote sensing research when I was still in diapers! How was I, a nearly fresh-out scientist, going to supervise this great intellect? Well, Al's famously gentle, supportive and unassuming nature quickly put my fears to rest. He not only supported my management efforts, but also continuously worked towards improving teamwork within the branch and helped us to build collaboration with the international science community.
I am sure you will hear a lot about the details of Al's pioneering contributions to remote sensing and Earth science. However, I want to show you another side of Al's life. In my struggle to deal with Al's passing – to find some peace & understanding of his life – I went into his office and sat at his desk. Stacked all around and meticulously organized on the shelves and file cabinets, was the life's work of this great man. Notes and letters detailed his ideas and plans, his collaborations all over the world, and the accomplishments of his career spanning 3 decades. Various prestigious awards adorned the walls, and souvenirs from trips taken all over the world were carefully placed on the desk. But as I gazed at the bulletin board next to his computer, in a place of distinction, I discovered 3 items I want to share with you...
Al's 2001 IEEE Nametag, with Flowing Blue "Fellow" Ribbon
In 2001 Al was elected by his international science peers to be a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for his contributions to the development of microwave remote sensing of rain and snow. Becoming a fellow showed that Al had reached the top of his field, as recognized by his peers. This is the highest achievement that anyone in our branch had ever attained, and we were all proud – not only for Al, but also for our whole team.
This was clearly a special handmade birthday card from one of Al's kids. It featured a beautiful hand-drawn horse (like the one here) and was inscribed "Happy Birthday Daddy". The horse intrigued me, and after some investigation, I learned that Al was born in the year of the water horse (1942). Although I don't believe in astrology or horoscopes, I was intrigued by the accuracy of Al's water horse:
Although the year of the horse arrives every 12 years, it is only every 60 years that this birth sign will truly be repeated. This cycle of 60 years is known as the Heavenly Year or Tai Sui, and a person over 60 years old is therefore revered for having lived through the entire cosmic cycle. Philosophical, with tongue firmly in cheek, the cheerful Water Horses are open to the ironies of life. Their sense of humor permits them to laugh at things they can't control. With infinite patience, they know that most problems are really quite small in the scheme of things, and they try not to let their own personal feelings get in the way. Like all Horses, those of the Water persuasion are very career minded with a high sense of responsibility and accountability. Their years are filled with many hardworking days and nights. Careers are filled with both storm clouds and tropical tradewinds - Horses simply flow with the wind. Stability is also a big time word when it comes to Love. Love is like the many splendored thing described in song. For them, love means eternity. When they pledge undying loyalty, devotion, tenderness, and caring, they mean it. A partnership is always built on a strong foundation and, like a masterpiece, is designed for life everlasting.
The third item I want to share is this poem that I found hanging in the most prominent location in Al's office; I later discovered it was a gift from Al's wife:"Take Time"
Take time to Work – It is the price of success.
Take time to Think – It is the source of power.
Take time to Play – It is the secret of youth.
Take time to Read your Bible –
It is the foundation of knowledge and feeds the soul.
Take time to Worship – It is the highway of
reverence and washes the dust of earth from our eyes.
Take time to Help and Enjoy Friends – It is the source of happiness.
Take time to Love – It is the one sacrament of life.
Take time to Dream – It hitches the soul to the stars.
Take time to Laugh – It is the singing that helps with life's loads.
Take time to Pray: It rids us of our excess baggage.
Take time to Plan – It is the secret of being able to have time
to take time for the first ten things.
Anyone who knew Al would recognize that he lived his life by this inspiring code. He took time to work hard, think hard, and play hard. He took time for his friends and family. And I feel fortunate that I knew Al and that he took time to know me.
I am sorry that I am unable to be at this special symposium, so I hope this tribute somehow communicates my great adoration for Al’s life and work.
Dr. Paul R. Houser
Head, Hydrological Sciences Branch
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
From Dr. C. H. Sui:
I spent more than ten years in Goddard Space Flight Center before taking the current post in the newly established Institute of Hydrological Sciences at National Central University (NCU), Taiwan. During the Goddard time, I became familiar with Al both in science and in a personal relationship. His dedicated research in microwave remote sensing is well recognized so that need not be elaborated more here. What I miss most from his passing is the loss of a warm and considerate scientist/friend. I also feel that the remote sensing research community in Taiwan has lost a long-time supporter. Since I started working in Taiwan about 3 years ago, I began to realize that Al had communications with some faculty members in NCU from the very beginning when the university established the Center for Space and Remote Sensing Research (CSRSR) 20 years ago. I myself had several Email exchanges with Al in the past two years. He has been very responsive to my requests and questions. I received many valuable suggestions and warm encouragements from him concerning the development of new research programs here at NCU.
Al made his last visit of the NCU in mid-April this year when he was invited by the CSRSR in the celebration of the 20 anniversary. He gave an invited seminar on “Remote sensing for hydrologic research and applications” in the afternoon of April 16. He gave a well organized and very informative speech. I was so interested in some of the research mentioned in the talk that I asked him for a copy of the presentation. He kindly gave me a CD. When I looked at the CD, I realized that he has prepared very rich information for the visit that is enough for several talks. In fact, I was about to ask him to give a seminar in our institute, but failed to do so due to the tight seminar schedules already arranged. I really regret that I failed to do so.
During his last visit here, I met him twice and had many discussions about our on-going research activities. I was interested in his water balance study for the upper Yantze River basin using the snow water equivalent data. I am also interested in the snow depth data over Tibet and Eurasia and its usage in climate studies. It turned out that Al just started the study of Yantze River Basin. He has been trying to compare the GTS SD data with areal microwave snow depth. He produced a paper that may become a part of the IAHS red book. About Tibet, he extracted the TMI/PR/VIRS data in Tibet area in the winter, as well as snow data extracted from SMMR and SSM/I measurements. He also collects related information over Tibet and Eurasia. He expressed an interest in a joint research. I was excited that we would work together on this possible project. But then the sudden death of Al made this impossible. I felt sad and lonely.
But I feel fortunate to have met him. I did tell him that his scientific advice to us has been very valuable, that his dedication and knowledge is what we need to emulate. I also invited him to spend an extended period with us at NCU to inspire young faculty members in remote sensing and hydrology to perform quantitative estimates of hydrological parameters and processes. Although Al is no longer with us, we will continue using his data and following his research in the studies of hydrology and climate, especially in East Asia. In this sense, Al will be with us.
Dr. C. H. Sui
Institute of Hydrological Sciences
National Central University
From Dr. Andrew Tait:
I remember when I first met Dr. Alfred T.C. Chang. It was 1995, in Boulder, at an IUGG conference. I was a real greenhorn student (all the way from New Zealand) working my waythrough a PhD on using passive microwave radiation to estimate snow depth. My literature review chapter was packed full of Chang et al references. And now I had to give a talk - with him in the audience! I thought I was going to be grilled over a hot flame! But I wasn't, of course (because Al wasn't like that). In fact, I remember him saying "good work" to me after the session. Well, that was high praise indeed. Six years later I worked with Al, Dorothy, and Jim at Goddard. It was a great time in my life and I will always treasure my memories of those years.
Dr. Andrew Tait
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd
Wellington New Zealand