JPL Logo
A profile photo of Dr. Svetla Hristova-Veleva

Dr. Svetla Hristova-Veleva

Researcher

About

Bio

Svetla Hristova-Veleva is with the scatterometer project. Her recent work has been the development of retrieval algorithms for estimation of a variety of geophysical parameters using the passive microwave observations of the AMSR instrument on the ADEOS-II spacecraft. The purpose of the effort was to estimate the rain parameters and to provide atmospheric (rain) correction to the SeaWinds scatterometer observations that were coincident with the AMSR data. This resulted in better estimates of the scatterometer ocean surface winds in rainy conditions. Currently she is working on modeling of precipitation systems and their remotely-sensed characteristics in support of studies related to the design of a future scatterometer. Her previous research was directed toward studying the kinematics and dynamics of observed and modeled mesoscale convective systems and investigating the sensitivity of modeled storms and their remotely-sensed characteristics to the microphysical parameterization schemes used in cloud models.

Education

  • Ph. D., Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University, 2000
  • M.A., Meteorology, Texas A&M University,1994
  • B.A., Physics, Sofia University, Bulgaria, 1980

Research Interests

  • passive microwave satellite retrievals of rain and other atmospheric/sea surface parameters
  • improving scatterometer wind retrievals in rain
  • modeling of mesoscale convective systems with cloud-resolving models (WRF) - sensitivity to microphysical parameterizations
  • studying the kinematics and dynamics of mesoscale convective systems
  • hurricanes:
    • how hurricane genesis occurs
    • how it is related to the structure and evolution of the precursor mesoscale convective systems
    • how is the modeled hurricane structure and evolution dependent upon the microphysical assumptions.
    • how satellite retrievals of wind and rain in hurricanes can be improved
    • To start answering the above questions, a group at JPL is developing an “Integrated Hurricane Information System for Research” which will include high-resolution satellite observations and model outputs pertaining to: i) the thermodynamic and microphysical structure of the storms; ii) the air-sea interaction processes; iii) the larger-scale environment

Experience

Professional Experience

  • 2000–present: JPL, Radar Science and Engineering Section
  • 1999-2000: Research Associate, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University
  • 1989-1990: Research assistant, Cooperative Institute for Applied Meteorological Studies, (CIAMS), Texas A&M University
  • 1980–1988: Hydrological and Meteorological Center, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Achievements

Awards & Recognitions

  • NASA Award | a Group Achievement Award to the SeaWinds/AMSR Processing Team “For developing and demonstrating effective rain corrections and flagging for SeaWinds scatterometer winds based on Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer measurements” (2007)
  • NASA Award | NASA Board Award for the “creative development of a technological contribution which has been determined to be of significant value in the advancement of the space and aeronautical activities of NASA and is entitled: SeaWinds Level 2B Processor” (2007)
  • JPL Award | JPL's Level C Bonus Award for the development of AMSR retrieval algorithms (2004)
  • NASA Award | NASA Group Achievement Award for the SeaWinds Project Team for the outstanding contributions to the successful development and test of the SeaWinds Instrument aboard Midori 2 satellite (2004)
  • JPL Award | JPL's Award for Excellence for significant achievement in the development of advanced specialized rain radar technologies to identify precipitation events within a hurricane. (2002)
  • NASA Award | NASA Group Achievement Award to CAMEX 4 Science Team in recognition of outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the extremely successful CAMEX 4 (2001)

Publications

  1. Hristova-Veleva, S. M., P. S. Callahan, R. S. Dunbar, B. W. Stiles, S. H. Yueh, J. N. Huddleston, S. V. Hsiao, G. Neumann, M. H. Freilich, B. A. Vanhoff, W.-Y. Tsai, R. W. Gaston, E. Rodriguez and David E. Weissman, 2007: “Revealing the winds under the rain. Part I: Passive Microwave Rain Retrievals Using a New, Observations-Based, Parameterization of Sub-satellite Rain Variability and Intensity”, ready to be submitted to the Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology
  2. Hristova-Veleva, S. M., P. S. Callahan, R. S. Dunbar, B. W. Stiles, S. H. Yueh, J. N. Huddleston, S. V. Hsiao, G. Neumann, M. H. Freilich, B. A. Vanhoff, W.-Y. Tsai, R. W. Gaston, E. Rodriguez and D. E. Weissman 2007: “Passive microwave rain retrievals using a new, observations-based, parameterization of sub-satellite rain variability”, 14th Symposium on Met. Observations and Instrumentation - 87th AMS conference, San Antonio, TX, 14-18 January
  3. Hristova-Veleva, S., P. S. Callahan, R. S. Dunbar, B. W. Stiles, S. H. Yueh, J. N. Hudleston, S. V. Hsiao, G. Neumann, M. H. Freilich, B. A. Vanhoff, W.-Y. Tsai, W. L. Poulsen, R. W. Gaston and E. Rodriguez, 2006: “Multi-sensor Observations of Hurricanes During 2003: Collocated Retrievals of Rain and Rain-Corrected Near-Surface Wind from the SeaWinds Scatterometer and AMSR”, AGU - 2006 Fall Meeting, Dec 11-15 2006, San Francisco, CA, USA
  4. Biggerstaff, M., Eun-Kyoung Seo, Svetla M. Hristova-Veleva, and Kwang-Yul Kim, 2006: “ Impact of Cloud Model Microphysics on Passive Microwave Retrievals of Cloud Properties. Part I: Model Comparison Using EOF Analyses”, Journal of Applied Meteor. and Clim., Volume 45, Issue 7, pp. 930–954
  5. Weissman, D. E., S. Hristova-Veleva and P. Callahan, 2006: "SeaWinds Scatterometer Wind Vector Retrievals for Hurricane Claudette Using AMSR and NEXRAD To Perform Corrections for Precipitation Effects: Comparison of AMSR and NEXRAD retrievals of rain", MTS/IEEE Oceans'06, Boston, Massachusetts, September 2006.
  6. Hristova-Veleva, S. M., P. S. Callahan, R. S. Dunbar, S. H. Yueh, B. W. Stiles, J. N. Huddleston, S. V. Hsiao, G. Neumann, M. H. Freilich, B. A. Vanhoff, W.-Y. Tsai, and R. W. Gaston, 2006: “Revealing the SeaWinds ocean vector winds under the rain using AMSR. Part I: The physical approach” 14th Conference on Satellite Meteorology and Oceanography, Atlanta, Georgia, January 29–February 2.
  7. Stiles, B. W., J. N. Huddleston, S. M. Hristova-Veleva , R. S. Dunbar, M. H. Freilich, B.A. Van Hoff, S. H. Yueh, S. V. Hsiao, G. Neumann, P. S. Callahan, R. W. Gaston, and W.Y. Tsai, 2006: “Revealing the SeaWinds ocean vector winds under the rain using AMSR. Part II: The empirical approach” 14th Conference on Satellite Meteorology and Oceanography, Atlanta, Georgia, January 29–February 2.
  8. Weissman, D. E., S. Hristova-Veleva, and P. Callahan, 2006: “SeaWinds Scatterometer Wind Vector Retrievals Within Hurricanes Using AMSR and NEXRAD To Perform Corrections for Precipitation Effects: Comparison of AMSR and NEXRAD retrievals of rain”, IGARSS 2006
  9. Laupattarakasem, Pet , W. Linwood Jones, Khalil Ahmad, Svetla Veleva: “Calibration /Validation of the SeaWinds Radiometer Rain Rate Algorithm.”, MTS/IEEE Oceans 2005, September 19-23 2005, Washington, D.C., USA
  10. Hristova-Veleva, S. M., 2000: ”Impact of microphysical parameterizations on simulated storm evolution and remotely-sensed characteristics”, Ph.D. Thesis Texas A&M University, pp 201
  11. Biggerstaff, M.I., and S.M. Hristova-Veleva, 1995: ``Texas A&M University's WWW-based radar and mesoscale laboratory exercises for undergraduate and graduate education', Preprints 27th Intl. Conf. Radar Met,. October 95, Vail CO, pp 55-57.
  12. Hristova-Veleva, S. M., and M.I. Biggerstaff: ``Interactions between the convective region and a mesoscale vortex in a midlatitude squall line system', Preprints 6th Conf. MesoScale Procs., July 94, Portland OR, pp 399-402, 1994.
  13. Hristova-Veleva, S.M., and M.I. Biggerstaff: ``Convective variability associated with a mesoscale vortex in a midlatitude squall line system', Preprints 26th Intl. Conf. Radar Met., May 93, Norman OK, pp 74-76, 1993.