• Member of the Graduate Faculty

Research Interests

Electromagnetic and acoustical signal propagation, boundary layer structure and turbulence, atmospheric effects on ecosystems, culture and history, and national science policy and ethics.

Teaching Interests

Remote sensing, data processing and interpretation, atmospheric effects on nature and people, science policy and ethics. 

For many years Dr. Thomson's principle research interests have been in remote atmospheric sensing, principally by surface-based, active and passive, acoustical and electromagnetic systems. Recently, he is devoting more attention to science and issues in "human scale" meteorology including the effects of changes in the atmosphere on health and quality of life, the atmosphere as a factor in defense strategies and issues, and the value, generally, of weather information and products to society. 

Although Dr. Thomson has been a member of the faculty in meteorology and the Graduate Program in Acoustics for nearly 30 years, he also has spent substantial time on off campus assignments including a year at the Risoe National Laboratory in Denmark, a year as the Haltiner Professor at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, two years assigned to the Office of Naval Research in Arlington, VA, and several shorter visits at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Currently, he serves on several science advisory committees at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and for the Department of Defense.

Selected Publications

Wilson, D.K., and D.W. Thomson, 1994: Acoustic tomographic monitoring of the atmospheric surface layer. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 11, 751-769. 

Han, Y., and D.W. Thomson, 1994: Multichannel microwave radiometric observations at Saipan during the 1990 Tropical Cyclone Motion Experiment. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 11, 110-121. 

Thomson, D.W., 1995, 1996, 1997: Various confidential science assessment, priority, and policy reports.
 

  EM SC 100 Info: Short Essay Form (Acrobat PDF format)