Faculty
Jonathan J. Makela
Assistant Professor
316 Coordinated Science Lab, MC-228
1308 W. Main St.
Urbana, Illinois 61801
(217) 265-9470
Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University, 2003
Research Statement:
My research interests lie in multi-technique remote sensing of the Earth's ionosphere. I work with ground- and satellite-based instrumentation to study both the quiet-time and storm-time behavior of this region at low- and mid-latitudes. To accomplish this, I develop test and deploy suites of sensors to sites around the world. These instruments include portable imaging systems, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, and Fabry-Perot interferometers. My research group is currently working on developing new techniques and algorithms to simultaneously analyze these multiple datasets to better understand the underlying electrodynamics of instability processes in the equatorial and mid-latitude ionosphere. These instabilities can cause problems for satellite navigation and communication signals that have to propagate through them. Understanding how and when they develop will lead to more robust systems.
Research Interests:
- Ionospheric physics, especially irregularities at low- and mid-latitudes and their effects on trans-ionospheric satellite signals.
- Response of the Earth's ionosphere to geomagnetic storms.
- Optical and radio remote sensing techniques from both ground- and satellite-based platforms.
For more information:
Professor Makela's Homepage
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Teaching
- Ronald W. Pratt Faculty Outstanding Teaching Award, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2009
- List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students, ECE 450, Spring 2009
- List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students, ECE 498JM, Fall 2008
- Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students, ECE 498JM, Fall 2006
- Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students, ECE 445, Fall 2006
- Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students, ECE 437, Spring 2006
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Research
- International Union of Radio Scientists (URSI) - United States National Committee Henry G. Booker Fellowship, 2008
- Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and Russian Academy of Sciences Zeldovich Medal, 2008
- Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) Award, National Science Foundation, 2007-2012
- National Research Council Post-Doctoral Research Associateship, 2002-2004
- Outstanding Student Paper, Spring American Geophysical Union Meeting, May 2002
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, 1999-2002
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Public Service
- Member, Space Physics and Aeronomy Executive Committee, American Geophysical Union, 2008-present
- Editors' Citation for Excellence in Refereeing for Geophysical Research Letters, 2005
- Member, NSF CEDAR Science Steering Committee, 2003-2006