Waleed Abdalati

Director, CIRES, University of Colorado

Waleed Abdalati is the director of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado and a professor in the university’s Department of Geography. CIRES, established through a cooperative agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is a diverse institute that focuses on understanding the Earth system and its components, as well as the human relationship with our environment. His research interests are in the use of satellite and airborne remote sensing techniques, integrated with in situ observations and modeling, to understand how and why the Earth's glaciers and ice sheets are changing and the implications for sea level rise. In addition to his academic experience, he has a wide range of experience in various positions at NASA that includes research scientist (1997–2000), program manager (2000–2005), manager of a 50-person research group (2004–2008), and most recently NASA Chief Scientist (2011–2012). From 1986–1990, he worked as an engineer in the aerospace and defense fields. Waleed received a BS in mechanical engineering from Syracuse University in 1986, an MS in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado in 1991, and a PhD in geography from the University of Colorado in 1996.