Gerald North
Encyclopedia
Gerald R. North is Distinguished Professor and Holder of the Harold J. Haynes Endowed Chair in Geosciences at Texas A&M University
, and previous Head of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences. His interests include climate change using simplified climate models.
North was born in Sweetwater, Tennessee
to Sanford and Marjorie Hill North. He grew up in nearby Knoxville and received his Bachelor's Degree in physics
from the University of Tennessee
. In 1966, he earned a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
. After a two year post-doc at the University of Pennsylvania
, he obtained a tenure track position at the University of Missouri-St. Louis leading to full professor. He spent 1974-75 as a Senior Visiting Scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research
. He moved to NASA
Goddard Space Flight Center
in 1978 where he was the initial proposer and first Study Scientist for the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission
. He joined Texas A & M University in 1986. He is the 2008 recipient of the Jule Charney Award of the American Meteorological Society
.
His sons, Joel North and Paul North, play in the Denton, Texas
based indie band Sleep Whale on Western Vinyl
records.
He currently lives in Bryan, Texas
with his wife Laura.
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
, and previous Head of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences. His interests include climate change using simplified climate models.
North was born in Sweetwater, Tennessee
Sweetwater, Tennessee
Sweetwater is a city in Monroe and McMinn counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the most populous city in Monroe County. The population was 5,586 at the 2000 census. Sweetwater is the home of the Craighead Caverns which contains the Lost Sea, the United States' largest underground...
to Sanford and Marjorie Hill North. He grew up in nearby Knoxville and received his Bachelor's Degree in physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
from the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
. In 1966, he earned a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
. After a two year post-doc at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, he obtained a tenure track position at the University of Missouri-St. Louis leading to full professor. He spent 1974-75 as a Senior Visiting Scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research
National Center for Atmospheric Research
The National Center for Atmospheric Research has multiple facilities, including the I. M. Pei-designed Mesa Laboratory headquarters in Boulder, Colorado. NCAR is managed by the nonprofit University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and sponsored by the National Science Foundation...
. He moved to NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
Goddard Space Flight Center
Goddard Space Flight Center
The Goddard Space Flight Center is a major NASA space research laboratory established on May 1, 1959 as NASA's first space flight center. GSFC employs approximately 10,000 civil servants and contractors, and is located approximately northeast of Washington, D.C. in Greenbelt, Maryland, USA. GSFC,...
in 1978 where he was the initial proposer and first Study Scientist for the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission is a joint space mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency designed to monitor and study tropical rainfall. The term refers to both the mission itself and the satellite that the mission uses to collect data...
. He joined Texas A & M University in 1986. He is the 2008 recipient of the Jule Charney Award of the American Meteorological Society
American Meteorological Society
The American Meteorological Society promotes the development and dissemination of information and education on the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences and the advancement of their professional applications. Founded in 1919, the American Meteorological Society has a membership...
.
His sons, Joel North and Paul North, play in the Denton, Texas
Denton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
based indie band Sleep Whale on Western Vinyl
Western Vinyl
Western Vinyl is an independent record label based in Austin Texas. It was founded in 1998.-Bands and Artists Associated with Western Vinyl:*Anomoanon*Appendix Out*Balmorhea*Bexar Bexar*Botany*Bonnie Prince Billy*Callers*Carter Tanton*Chas. Mtn....
records.
He currently lives in Bryan, Texas
Bryan, Texas
Bryan is a city in Brazos County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 76,201. It is the county seat of Brazos County and is located in the heart of the Brazos Valley . It shares its border with the city of College Station, which lies to its south...
with his wife Laura.