Dr. Brent McBride
Affiliate Assistant Professor
College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences
He/Him/His/Himself
About
Dr. Brent McBride is a Research Scientist at the Earth and Space Institute at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), in Baltimore, MD, USA. He has 12 years of experience in the development of Earth-observing small satellite remote sensors. Dr. McBride leads pre-launch and on-orbit calibration and validation for the Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter (HARP2) on the NASA PACE mission, the OreSat small satellite radiometer, and the GAPMAP line of commercial polarimeters for GRASP-Earth. Prior to his appointment at ESI, Dr. McBride supported MODIS cal/val as part of the MODIS Characterization and Support Team (MCST) with SSAI/NASA GSFC.Research interests
I research new calibration and validation techniques for Earth observing remote sensors. These involve laboratory experiments, theoretical modeling, and analysis of on-orbit datasets from space, field campaigns, or ground-based instruments.I also collaborate on several instrument intercomparison studies to cross-validate radiance and polarization measurements that will be eventually used to derive global climate products.
Finally, I develop new algorithms to invert multi-angle polarimetric data for cloud and aerosol microphysical properties. This work uses radiative transfer modeling or atmospheric simulations as validation.
Teaching interests
I currently do not teach classes, though I may in the future.Potential classes:
Instrument Science - the relationship between detector measurements and physical quantities, calibration, validation, and uncertainty.
Satellites for Social Change - Honors College course that uses the multi-year observational record of several Earth science satellites to visualize markers of human activity from space (i.e. growth of ISIS, Amazon deforestation, overfishing and policy restrictions, sea ice melt, etc.). Emphasis on connecting satellite observations to society/policy.
Citizen Science for Earth Observations - explores ways to measure Earth's atmosphere and surface that are compatible with satellites, aircraft, or ground-based instruments. Emphasis on the integration and increase of science literacy in a community.
Education
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Ph D, Atmospheric Physics
— University of Maryland Baltimore County (2022) The Hyper Angular Rainbow Polarimeter: Calibration, Validation, and Advancements in Cloud Science
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MS, Atmospheric Physics
— University of Maryland Baltimore County (2017) Investigating Cloud Microphysical Properties with Hyper-Angular Imaging Polarimeter Measurements
- BS, Physics — University of Maryland Baltimore County (2014)
- Other, General Studies — Howard Community College (2011)