Faculty
Gary R. Swenson
Professor
315A Coordinated Science Lab, MC-228
1308 W. Main St.
Urbana, Illinois 61801
(217) 333-4232
Ph.D. Aeronomy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 1975
Research Statement:
Current research is the development of upper atmospheric research tools, including lidar, imaging, and interferometry. Application of these tools to measurements of upper atmospheric dynamics and chemistry from ground, aircraft, and spacecraft platforms. Spacecraft investigations of Earth and Mars atmospheres are in development and planning.
Teaching Statement:
The design experiences for Seniors in EE and Interdisciplinary in the College have continued to be a focus of my interest in maintaining a high standard of expectation and experiences for our students. Management of the support from selected capable and energetic Teaching Assistants, laboratory resources, communication tools (web), and staff are all important aspects to maintain the high standards for these courses, including ECE445 and ENG491. Prof. Scott Carney has been a strong, supporting advisor and participated as an Instructor this past year. Prof. Jon Makela also has been involved to support during travel conflicts. We are a team, and the strong support within the department from staff, especially Dan Mast, help keep the standards high.
Ethics is important in the classroom. This past year, we had two students from the Spring 07, and one from the Summer 07, guilty of Student Conduct issues including cheating and plagiarism. I felt the process the University has instituted for handling the process was fair and efficient. I'm hopeful these events will not be a regular experience. As part of early lecture material, we are advising the students of consequences of violations in ethics.
Undergrad advising has been especially rewarding. David Rockwood is an ECE Junior, and is being initiated as a Knight of St. Patrick. These are the academic rewards we cherish as instructors.
Research Interests:
- Remote sensing of the atmosphere from ground based, aircraft, and spacecraft using optical methods. Also, space environment issues with a particular emphasis on spacecraft glows.
- Atmosphere dynamics in the Mesosphere, Lower Thermosphere, with a primary emphasis on Atmospheric Gravity Waves. Remote sensing techniques using resonant and Raleigh lidar as well as passive remote sensing atmospheric emissions.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities:
Three undergraduates were involved in our Research Group, in the development of new receivers for our Na wind/temperature lidar. The students were Ben Graf, Tony Mangognia, and Ben Krop. Ben Graf and Tony Mangognia are now graduate students. There contributions were outstanding as was the professional engineering problem solving experiences in working with our group. Tony is the lead TA for ECE 445 this semester.
For more information:
Space Science and Remote Sensing
Other Instructional Activities
- Prelims and Final Exams, 2007. Supported Prelims for Purvesh Thakker and David Scott Anderson. Final exam support for Joe Comberiate, (EE), Tyler Ralston (EE), Adam Zysk (EE), Yeukui Yang (Atmospheric Science). MS thesis for Austin Kirchhoff.
Journal Articles
- Nikoukar, R., G. Swenson, A. Z. Liu, and F. Kamalabadi, [2007], On the variability of the mesosphere OH emission profiles, J. Geophys. Res., Vol 112, doi:10.1029/2007JD008601.