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About GEST
 The GEST Center
GEST Vision Statement
GEST Partners
Address
at UMBC
Address
at NASA GSFC
The GEST Center
In 2000 the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) awarded
a Cooperative Agreement to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County,
to create a center of excellence in the Earth sciences. Through this arrangement,
UMBC and its partners - Hampton University, Howard University, Caelum
Research Corporation, and Northrop Grumman Corporation - began to develop
collaborative research programs in all areas of the Earth sciences. GEST
exists under a five-year, renewable award with GSFC. This consortium between
government, university and private industry is expected not only to provide
a secure "home" for Earth scientists, but to synergistically
foster new directions in research and technology.
There are now research programs
in place in each of the GSFC Earth-Sun Exploration
Division's laboratories and divisions, divided
into Research Groups. Research scientists have
been hired under GEST at UMBC, Hampton University,
Howard University, and at Caelum Research Corporation.
They may work at any of the GSFC locations, or at their home institution. Besides full-time
research staff, GEST facilitates short-term collaborations through a visitors program, and
a visiting fellows program. In addition, GEST assists with GSFC's education and outreach mission
by managing four summer internship programs for promising students in the Earth and information
sciences.
GEST Vision Statement
The Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology Center (GEST) is dedicated to furthering
fundamental understanding of the coupled physical, chemical, and biological Earth systems and the
effects of natural and anthropogenic changes upon the environment. This knowledge will improve
our observations of, understanding of, and prediction capabilities for the Earth system, and will
foster the development of sound environmental policy. GEST consortium institutions, led by
the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will collaborate with GSFC's Earth-Sun Exploration
Division to produce vital new knowledge and to attract and train the next generation of
Earth scientists.
GEST Partners
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/
With headquarters in Greenbelt, Maryland, just
outside Washington, D.C., NASA Goddard Space
Flight Center's vision is to "... revolutionize
knowledge of the Earth and the universe though
scientific discovery from space to enhance life
on Earth." The Earth Sun Exploration Division
provides leadership in understanding the entire
Earth system and the effects of natural and
anthropogenic changes on the global environment,
by using space-based platforms to gain knowledge
about our planet. The Earth Sun Exploration
Division comprises the Goddard Institute for
Space Studies (located near Columbia University
in New York City), the Laboratory for Solar
and Space Physics, the Laboratory for Atmospheres,
and the Hydrospheric and Biospheric Sciences
Laboratory (which includes the Instrumentation
Sciences Branch at the Wallops Flight Facility
on Virginia's Eastern Shore).
University
of Maryland, Baltimore County
http://www.umbc.edu
UMBC is a young member of the University of Maryland System, but it has already become a Doctoral/Research-Extensive University in the Carnegie rankings. Located in Catonsville, Maryland, UMBC is small and personal, yet ambitious. UMBC is also home to the Joint Center for Earth Systems
Technology (JCET), GEST's sister center with GSFC. In addition, GEST faculty
have connections with the Physics, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering,
and Geography and Environmental Systems Departments.
Hampton
University
http://www.hamptonu.edu
Founded in 1868 in Hampton, Virginia to create educators and leaders of
the newly freed Black population, Hampton's symbol is the emancipation
oak. It soon became a center of education for Native Americans, and today
is a known for its multiculturalism and comprehensive educational experience.
Due in part to the university's location, Hampton's Physics Department
has strong links to the research community at NASA Goddard's Wallops Flight
Facility. This is the department with the closest links to GEST.
Howard
University
http://www.howard.edu
Veritas et utilitas (truth and service) is Howard University's motto.
Howard University is a comprehensive, research-oriented, historically
Black private university providing an educational experience of exceptional
quality to students of high academic potential with particular emphasis
upon the provision of educational opportunities to promising Black students.
Further, the University is dedicated to attracting and sustaining a cadre
of faculty who are, through their teaching and research, committed to
the development of distinguished and compassionate graduates and to the
quest for solutions to human and social problems in the United States
and throughout the world. Located in Washington, D.C., Howard was founded
over 130 years ago. GEST has links with both the Physics and Chemistry
departments, and the Howard observatory in Beltsville.
Caelum Research Corporation
http://www.caelum.com
Caelum Research Corporation is a dynamic technical services company located
in the fast-growing I-270 Technology Corridor in Maryland. Caelum provides
scientific, information technology, records management, and other support
services to government and private industry clients. Its mission is to
support applied science, engineering, and information technology functions
and to solve complex scientific and technical challenges. Caelum has served
the NASA community since its inception in 1987. Caelum not only employs
GEST research staff, but it handles the administration of GEST's student
internship programs and its short-term visitor programs.
Northrop
Grumman Corporation
http://www.northropgrumman.com
Northrop Grumman is a company defined by one word - technology. From under
the sea to outer space and into cyberspace, Northrop Grumman technologies
and products are at the forefront of 21st century defense capabilities.
More specifically, Northrop Grumman produces airborne radar systems and
information technology for the federal government. Its workforce is approximately
1s00,000. GEST has partnered with Northrop Grumman's
Electronic Systems sector, headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. The Electronic
Systems sector is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture
of defense electronics and systems, including airborne radar systems,
navigation systems, communications systems, space systems, marine systems,
logistics systems, and automation and information systems among others.
Northrop Grumman makes its airborne platforms available to GEST researchers
for instrument flights, and is willing to collaborate on flight and instrumentation
technology.
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GEST at University of Maryland Baltimore County
Mailing Address:
GEST Center
5523 Research Park Drive, Suite 320
Baltimore, MD 21228
Telephone:
410 455 6362
Fax:
410 455 8806
Directions:
From the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (295), exit at I-195 to Catonsville
and follow the signs for UMBC. As I-195 comes to an end, stay to the right
and exit to the UMBC campus. At the first stop sign, take a right and
proceed to the end of the road to Research Park Building. The GEST office
is located on the third floor. If originating from the BWI Airport, just
proceed on I-195 West as you exit the airport.
Administrative Staff Located at UMBC:
Raymond Hoff, Tom Low (half time), Mary Dawson, Danita Eichenlaub,
Amy Houghton, Camilla Hyman, Cathy Manalansan, Derek Stivers, Nina von Gunten, and Margo Young
GEST at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Mailing Address:
GEST Center
Mail Code 610.6
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD 20771
Telephone:
301 286 4403
Fax:
301 286 0574
Directions:
If you arrive from one of the DC-area airports, the best route
is via the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. From BWI, head South; from Reagan-National,
head out East through the city and turn North on the Parkway; from Washington-Dulles,
drive to the Beltway (495) past Bethesda, Silver Spring and the first
Greenbelt Road Exit, and head North on the Parkway (just one exit). From
the Parkway, take the Greenbelt Road (MD-193) exit and head East along
the Greenbelt Road. Heading North (from National or Dulles) this is a
left turn at the traffic lights following the exit. Heading South (from
BWI) you will turn left at two traffic lights. The Main Gate is about
two miles East of the Parkway; you will turn left opposite a shopping
mall (K-Mart and Ruby Tuesday), immediately after crossing Cipriano Rd.
After the left turn, bear right into the Security Office parking lot (before
entering the gate). Upon arriving at GSFC, your host will escort you from
the Badge Office. GEST is in Building 22, room 170.
Administrative Staff Located at GSFC:
Tom Low (half time), Valerie Casasanto, Grace Roscoe
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