Douglas L. Westphal
United States Naval Research Laboratory, Naval Postgraduate School
Papers
8
Total Citations
889
H-Index
6
About
Douglas L. Westphal is a leading figure in aerosol science, whose career has been defined by pioneering advances in global aerosol prediction, data assimilation, and multi-model ensemble systems. His research centers on improving the accuracy and operational utility of aerosol forecasts, with a particular focus on integrating satellite and ground-based observations. A cornerstone of his work is the development of the Navy Aerosol Analysis Prediction System (NAAPS), where he demonstrated that assimilating data from AERONET, MODIS, and CALIOP could dramatically enhance forecasting skill. Westphal is also a driving force behind the International Cooperative for Aerosol Prediction (ICAP), where he helped create the first global operational multi-model ensemble. This consensus framework, which now includes nine models, has become a vital tool for operational centers worldwide. His most cited work, an 11-year global gridded aerosol optical thickness reanalysis (237 citations), provides a fused satellite-model product essential for climate studies. With over 890 total citations across his top papers, Westphal’s contributions have fundamentally shaped how the scientific community observes, predicts, and understands atmospheric aerosols.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2Atmospheric Aerosol Optical Properties in the Persian Gulf200 citations · 2002
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