Dr. Mark L. Adrian NASA/GSFC, Code 673 Greenbelt, MD 20771 Phone: (301) 286-6674 Fax: (301) 286-1433 Email: Mark.L.Adrian@nasa.gov

PRESENT POSITION:

Astrophysicist, Geospace Physics Laboratory
Heliophysics Science Division
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

EDUCATION:

B.S., Physics, The University of Iowa, 1989
M.S., Physics, The University of Iowa, 1993
Ph.D., Physics, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, 2000

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Dr. Adrian's research interests are wide-ranging, focused primarily upon the energization/acceleration of thermal to low-energy electrons throughout the heliosphere.  He continues analysis of data from the Sounding of the Cleft Ion Fountain Energization Region (SCIFER - NASA 40.006) sounding rocket, probing the physics of high-latitude particle acceleration.  In particular, Dr. Adrian continues analysis of data obtained using the Thermal Electron Capped Hemisphere Spectrometer (TECHS) flown on SCIFER in order to quantify the role of the thermal electron distribution in the formation of ion conics and outflows in the cusp.  Dr. Adrian has also initiated research in the area plasmaspheric dynamics conducting an analysis of data provided by the Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Camera and the Radio Plasma Imager (RPI) aboard the Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) satellite in order to quantify the development and evolution of embedded plasmaspheric density channels as well as the plasmapause in its entirety.  Dr. Adrian continues to pursue interests in the development of plasma diagnostic hardware through continuing analysis of the TECHS design concept, as well as development of plasma diagnostics for the solar wind composition, neutral atmospheres and the plasmas associated with the development of sprites above convective thunderstorms.

Dr. Adrian is currently the Instrument Scientist for the Fast Plasma Instrument (FPI) scheduled to launch aboard the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) satellite constellation in 2014.  Additionally, Dr. Adrian is the Instrument Lead for the Dual Electron Spectrometer (DES) component of FPI.  Dr. Adrian also serves as Deputy Project Scientist for the Polar satellite mission.

EXPERIENCE:

2004-present -- Astrophysicist, Geospace Physics Laboratory, NASA/GSFC
2002-2004 -- Research Scientist, The University of Alabama in Huntsville
2000-2002 -- Research Associate, National Research Council, NASA/MSFC

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

1. Adrian, M.L., D.L. Gallagher, L.A. Avanov, IMAGE EUV observation of radially bifurcated plasmaspheric features: First observations of a possible standing ULF waveform in the inner magnetosphere, J. Geophys. Res., 109(A1), A01203, 10.1029/2003JA009974, 2004.


2. Adrian, M.L., The density-potential (Ne-VS/C) relation in the high-latitude prenoon ionosphere, Phys. Plasmas, 9(2), 602, 2001, DOI: 10.1063/1.1415423.


3. Pollock, C.J., V.N. Coffey, J.D. England, N.G. Martinez, and M.L. Adrian, Thermal Electron Capped Hemisphere Spectrometer (TECHS) for Ionospheric Studies, in Measurement Techniques in Space Plasmas: Particles, Geophysical Monograph, 102, R.F. Pfaff, J.E. Borovsky, and D.T. Young, editors, page 201, American Geophysical Union, Washington, D.C., 1998.