GML Staff

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Staff Listing

Gary is a Research Physical Scientist at NOAA’s Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML), returning to full-time research in November 2025 after serving as the laboratory’s Deputy Director. His career is rooted in 25 years of academia, including roles as Dean of Natural Sciences at St. Edward’s University and Associate Dean at Valparaiso University. Gary’s leadership at NOAA has been twice recognized with the OAR Employee of the Year Award: first in 2023 for his guidance through GML’s organizational transitions and again in 2026 for his team’s work with the summer student intern program in Boulder. A dedicated educator, he has mentored over 150 students (primarily undergraduates) on atmospheric research projects, emphasizing the development of the next generation of scientists.

Scientifically, Gary’s work focuses on stratospheric chemistry, dynamics, and air quality using trajectory modeling, satellite data, and innovative in situ instrumentation. He co-invented a patented, lightweight SO2 sensor used to monitor volcanic plumes, which contributed to his earning the Department of Commerce Silver Medal for his role in NOAA's response to the 2022 Hunga-Tonga eruption. Gary’s influence extends internationally as an editor for the BAMS State of the Climate Report and a member of the World Meteorological Organization’s Assessment of Standard Operating Procedures for OzoneSondes (ASOPOS) panel. From establishing the Tropospheric Ozone Pollution Project (TOPP) to ongoing collaborations with NASA’s SHADOZ and TICOSONDE projects, Gary remains at the forefront of monitoring and understanding atmospheric composition.

Education:

• Ph.D., Space Physics and Astronomy, Rice University (1995)
• M.S., Space Physics and Astronomy, Rice University (1992)
• A.B., Mathematics, Physics, Washington University (1989)

Awards:

• NOAA Boulder Outreach Gold Star Award - 3 stars (2024)
• Department of Commerce Silver Medal Award (2024)
• NOAA Boulder Outreach Gold Star Award - 4 stars (2023)
• NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Employee of the Year Award - Leadership (2023)
• Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Award - NOAA Ambassador’s Program (2023)
• NASA Group Achievement Award, SEAC4RS (2013)
• Fulbright Scholar, Japan - United States Educational Commission (2008–2009)
• NASA Group Achievement Award, TC4 (2008)
• NASA Group Achievement Award, UARS Team (2006)
• NASA Group Achievement Award, Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment North America Science Team (2005)
• Outstanding Faculty Award - Rice University Pre-Medical Society (2003)
• Outstanding Faculty Associate, Martel College, Rice University (2002)
• Distinguished Faculty Associate, Martel College, Rice University (2001)
• National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (1994–1997)
• Graduate Fellowship for Global Change, Department of Energy (1992 - 1994)
• Graduate Student Summer Program, USRA, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (1992)

Prior Appointments:

• NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory, Deputy Director (2024) and Acting Deputy Director (2022 - 2024)
• NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory, Ozone and Water Vapor Division Lead (2021 - 2024)
• Professor of Environmental Science and Physics, St. Edward’s University (2020–2022)
• Dean of Natural Sciences and Professor of Physics, St. Edward’s University (2014–2020)
• Associate Dean of Arts & Sciences and Professor of Physics, Valparaiso University (2010–2014)
• Assistant and Associate Professor of Physics, Valparaiso University (2004– 2006, 2006–2010)
• Weiss Instructor of Physics, Rice University (2000–2004)
• Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics, Valparaiso University (1998–2000)
• Research Assistant Professor of Physics, University of Maryland Baltimore County (1997–1998)

Recent Relevant Publications (2017 - present):

(For a full list, see my Google Scholar Page)

1. Chang, K.L., O.R. Cooper, A. Gaudel, I. Petropavlovskikh, P. Effertz, G. Morris, and B.C. McDonald, “Challenges in detecting free tropospheric ozone trends in a sparsely sampled environment,” Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 6197-6218, doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-6197-2024, 2024.
2. Liu, C., L. Jorgensdottir, P. Walter, G.A. Morris, J.H. Flynn, and P. Kucera, “On the detection of icing conditions at altitude in conjunction with mesoscale convective complexes using balloon sondes,” Monthly Weather Rev., 151, 2397-2412, doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-23-0062.1, 2023.
3. Johnson, B.J., P. Cullis, J. Booth, I. Petropavlovskikh, G. McConville, B. Hassler, G.A. Morris, C. Sterling, S. Oltmans, “South Pole Station ozonesondes: variability and trends in the springtime Antarctic ozone hole 1986–2021,” Atmos. Chem., Phys., 23,doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3133-2023, 2023.
4. Yoon, S., A. Kotsakis, S.L. Alvarez, M.G. Spychala, E. Klovenski, P. Walter, G. Morris, E. Corrales, A. Alan, J.A. Diaz, and J.H. Flynn, “Development and testing of a novel sulfur dioxide sonde,” Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 4373-4384, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-4373-2022, 2022.
5. Tarasick, D.W., H.G.J. Smit, A.M. Thompson, G.A. Morris, J.C. Witte, J. Davies, T. Nakano, R.Van Malderen, R.M. Stauffer, B.J. Johnson, R. Stübi, S.J. Oltmans, and H. Vömel, “Improving ECC Ozonesonde Data Quality: Assessment of Current Methods and Outstanding Issues, Earth and Space Science, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019EA000914, 20 January 2021.
6. Vömel, H., H.G.J. Smit, D. Tarasick, B. Johnson, S.J. Oltmans, H. Selkirk, A.M. Thompson, R.M. Stauffer, J.C. Witte, J. Davies, R. van Malderen, G.A. Morris, T. Nakano, and R. Stübi, “A New Method to Correct the ECC Ozone Sonde Time Response and its Implications for ‘Background Current’ and Pump Efficiency,” Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 5667-5680, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-5667-2020, 2020.
7. Wilkins, J.L. B. de Foy, A.M. Thompson, D.A. Peterson, E.J. Hyer, C. Graves, J. Fishman, and G.A. Morris, “Evaluation of Stratospheric Intrusions and Biomass Burning Plumes on the Vertical Distribution of Tropospheric Ozone over the Midwestern U.S.,” Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 1JD032454, 125(18), https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JD032454, 2020.
8. Stauffer, R.M., A.M. Thompson, D.E. Kollonige, D.W. Tarasick, J.M. Davies, H. Vömel, J.C. Witte, G.A. Morris, R. van Malderen, B.J. Johnson, R.R. Querel, H.B. Selkirk R. Stübi, and H.G.J. Smit, “A Post-2013 Drop-off in Total Ozone at Half of Global Ozonesonde Stations: ECC Instrument Artifacts?” Geophys. Res. Lett., 47(11), https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL086791, 2020.
9. Edwards, R.P., M. Engle, and G. Morris, “Evaluation of El Nino-Southern Oscillation Influence on Ozone Exceedances Along the United States Gulf Coast,” Atmos. Environ., doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2019.117127, 222, 2020.
10. Thompson, A.M., H.G.J. Smit, J.C. Witte, R.M. Stauffer, B.J. Johnson, G. Morris, P. von der Gathen, R. van Maldren, J. Davies, A. Piters, M. Allart, F. Posny, R. Kivi, P. Cullis, N.T.H. Anh, E. Corrales, T. Machinini, F.R. deSilva, G. Paiman, K. Thiong’o, Z. Zainal, G.B. Brothers, K.R. Wolff, T. Nakano, R. Stübi, G. Romanens, G.J.R. Coetzee, J.A. Diaz, S. Mitro, M. Mohamad, and S.-Y. Ogino, “Ozonesonde Quality Assurance: The JOSIE-SHADOZ (2017) Experience,” Bull. Amer. Meterol. Soc., 100(1), 155 – 171, 2019.
11. Edwards, R., O. Sale, and G. Morris, “Evaluation of El Nino-Southern Oscillation Influence on 30 Years of Tropospheric Ozone Concentrations in Houston,” Atmos. Environ., 192, 72 – 83, 2018.
12. Huang, G. X. Liu, K. Chance, K. Yang, P.K. Bhartia, Z. Cai, M. Allaart, G. Ancellet, B. Calpini, G.J.R. Coetzee, E. Cuevas-Agullló, M. Cupeiro, H. DeBacker, M.K. Dubey, H.E. Fuelberg, M. Fujiwara, S. Godin-Beekmann, T.J. Hall, B. Johnson, J. Everette, R. Kivi, B. Kois, N. Komala, G. König-Langlo, G. Laneve, T. Leblanc, M. Marchand, K.R. Minschwaner, G. Morris M.J. Newchurch, S.-Y. Ogino, N. Ohkawara, A.J.M. Piters, F. Posny, R. Querel, R. Scheele, F.J. Schmidlin, R.C. Schnell, O. Schrems, H. Selkirk, M. Shiotani, P. Skrivánková, R. Stübi, G. Taha, D.W. Tarasick, A.M. Thompson, V. Thouret, M.B. Tully, R. van Malderen, “Validation of 10-year SAO OMI Ozone Profile (PROFOZ) Product Using Ozonesonde Observations,” Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10 (7), 2455 – 2475, doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-2455-2017, 2017.
13. Caicedo, V., B. Rappenglück, B. Lefer, G. Morris, D. Toledo, R. Delgado, “Comparison of Aerosol Lidar Retrieval Methods for Boundary Layer Height Detection Using Ceiliometer Aerosol Backscatter Data,” Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10 (4), 1609 – 1622, doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-1609-2017, 2017.
14. Kotsakis, A., G.A. Morris, B. Lefer, W. Jeon, A. Roy, K. Minschwaner, A.M. Thompson, and Y. Choi, “Ozone Production by Corona Discharges During a Convective Event in DISCOVER-AQ Houston,” Atmos. Environ., 161, 13 – 17, 2017.

Patent Published:

Flynn, J. and G.A. Morris, A method for directly measuring SO2 and other trace gases by electrochemical cell (ecc) sonde, United States: US20200011832A1, 2021.