Dr. K. Emma Knowland

Dr. K. Emma Knowland is a Program Manager and Program Scientist at NASA HQ in the Science Mission Directorate’s Earth Science Division, where she manages the Tropospheric Composition Program (TCP) and serves as Program Scientist for several key NASA missions, ground-based networks, and the Atmospheric Science Data Center at NASA Langley Research Center.  The TCP studies global tropospheric ozone and aerosols, including their chemical precursors and the reactions involved in their formation and transformation into other chemical compounds. TCP strives to develop an integrated observing system for tropospheric composition, which includes chemical transport models, as well as satellite, airborne, and ground-based observations of tropospheric composition. This integrated observing system is fundamental to create a better understanding of air quality and climate. 

Emma’s research interests include chemical and dynamical drivers of atmospheric composition in the troposphere and stratosphere, making her uniquely qualified to lead NASA’s tropospheric chemistry initiatives. Her extensive research background directly supports the integrated observing system approach, with expertise in data assimilation of satellite observations, atmospheric composition modeling, and the evaluation of trace gas transport in NASA’s atmospheric models using a suite of satellite and ground-based observations. She played a pivotal role as lead scientist in developing NASA’s GEOS-CF air quality forecast system, directing its transition from research and development to operational production while leading public engagement efforts. 

Emma received her BSc and MSc in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences from McGill University (Montreal, Canada) in 2006 and 2008, respectively.  She received her Ph.D. in Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences at the University of Edinburgh (Scotland) in 2015 investigating how large-scale weather systems transport pollutants on inter-hemispheric scales.  She came to NASA HQ after nearly 10 years as a research scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as part of the GESTAR Cooperative Agreement.  This combination of research excellence and operational experience positions her to strategically guide NASA’s tropospheric composition research portfolio and mission development.