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About

S. Osborne is a leading atmospheric scientist whose research focuses on the physical and optical properties of mineral dust and biomass-burning aerosols, with a particular emphasis on their radiative effects in the West African Sahel. As a key contributor to the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) and the Dust and Biomass-burning Experiment (DABEX), Osborne conducted groundbreaking aircraft-based measurements using the UK’s FAAM BAe-146 research aircraft. Their work provided the first detailed in-situ characterizations of dust size distribution, shape, and composition during the critical winter dry season, directly informing satellite retrievals and climate models. With highly cited papers—including a 2008 study on dust optical properties (222 citations) and a companion paper on particle morphology (200 citations)—Osborne’s research has been instrumental in constraining the direct radiative forcing of mineral dust, one of the largest uncertainties in climate science. Their 2009 intercomparison of aircraft, satellite, and ground-based measurements further demonstrated the value of multi-platform validation. Osborne’s contributions remain foundational for understanding how African dust and biomass burning influence regional and global climate.