Brown, Gary

2004 Distinguished Alumni Award

Is recognized for his contributions to the basic theory of the scattering of electromagnetic waves from random media and rough surfaces. His theory has helped the Navy and Air Force understand the interaction of radar signals with the ocean surface. His work on the back-scattered power of downward-pointing radar has been used to estimate wind velocity that causes roughness over an ocean surface. Consequently, remotely sensed data from satellites can be used to estimate wind velocity close to the earth’s surface by monitoring radar scattering by ocean rough surfaces.