Duane Waliser is Chief Scientist of the Earth Science and Technology Directorate at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, which formulates, develops, and operates a wide range of Earth science remote sensing instruments for NASA’s airborne and satellite program. His research interests lie in Earth system process understanding, weather-climate linkages and their prediction; and interactions between the Earth’s water, energy and carbon cycles. His recent focus at JPL involves working within NASA and across agencies to enable and enhance societal benefits from our growing understanding, observing and modeling capabilities of the Earth System. He received a B.S. in physics and a B.S. in computer science from Oregon State University in 1985, an M.S. in physics from UC San Diego in 1987, and his Ph.D. in physical oceanography from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego in 1992.

B.S. Physics Oregon State University, 1985.

B.S. Computer Science Oregon State University, 1985.

M.S. Physics University of California, San Diego (UCSD), 1987.

Ph.D. Physical Oceanography Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD, 1992.

Earth System Science; Environment, Society and Resilience; Satellite Mission Formulation and Applications; Earth and Environmental Modeling, Climate Dynamics and Change; Global Water Cycle; Weather-Climate Linkages & Extremes

• Earth Science  | Climate Change Science And Adaptation
• Earth Science  | Natural Hazards, Including Extreme Weather Events, Wildfires, Earthquakes, Etc.
• Earth Science  | Oceans, Sea Level Rise, And Coastal Management
• Earth Science  | Water Cycle, Hydrology, Including Freshwater Availability And Resource Management
• Earth Science  | Atmospheric Physics And Weather Processes

• Earth Satellite Continuity  
• Resilience Studies and Planning  
• Urban Digital Twin Development  

2010 - Present: Chief Scientist, Earth Science and Technology Directorate, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA.

2007 - Present: Senior Research Scientist, Science Division, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, CA.

2007 - Present: Adjunct Professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and Fellow of the Joint Institute for Regional Earth System Science and Engineering, U. California, Los Angeles, CA.

2004 - Present: Visiting Associate, Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA.

2004 - 2007: Principal Scientist, Water and Carbon Cycle Group, Science Division, JPL, Pasadena, CA.

1999 - 2004 Associate Professor, Institute for Terrestrial and Planetary Atmospheres (ITPA), Marine Science Research Center (MSRC), State University of New York (SUNY), Stony Brook.

1993 - 1999: Assistant Professor, IPTA, MSRC, SUNY, Stony Brook.

1992 - 1993: Postdoctoral Associate, Atmospheric Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA.

• Professional Society and External Organization Awards | American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) | Losey Atmospheric Science Award (2024)
• NASA Award | Blue Marble Award | NASA Climate Adaptation Science Investigators Workgroup Initiative (2024)
• JPL Fellowship | For sustained and major impact on the direction of Earth science as an outstanding researcher and an international science leader in areas spanning tropical meteorology, convection, and the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO); atmospheric rivers and the global water & energy cycles; and sub-seasonal to seasonal climate prediction. (2022)
• Professional Society and External Organization Awards | California Department of Water Resources | Climate Science Service Award (2017)
• JPL Award | JPL People Leadership Award (2014)
• Professional Society and External Organization Awards | American Meteorological Society | Fellow (2014)
• JPL Award | JPL Magellan Award, Earth Science and Technology Leadership, Science (2012)
• NASA Award | NASA Exceptional Achievement Award | Weather and Climate Prediction Leadership (2010)
• Senior Research Scientist | Climate dynamics and modeling (2007)
• JPL Principal Designation | 8000 - Earth Science And Technology (2004)