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Scholarly Interest Report
         
David Alexander
Professor
Professor of Physics and Astronomy
 
e-mail:dalex@rice.edu
 
  • Ph.D. Relativistic Cosmology (1989) University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
  • B.Sc. Mathematics (1984) University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
  • B.Sc. (Hons) Natural Philosophy and Astronomy (1985) University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
 
Primary Department
   Department of Physics and Astronomy
Picture
 
Department Affiliations
 
  • Department of Physics and Astronomy
  • Rice Space Institute
  • Wiess School of Natural Sciences
  •  
    Websites
     Rice Space Institute
     Spaceport Lectures
     Rice Space Institute
     Space Frontiers Lecture Series
     Space Strategy Forum
     Alexander webpage
     Solar Group
     
    Research Areas
     Solar Physics, Space Exploration, star-planet interactions
     

    Brief Research Statement

     

    Dr. Alexander's main area of interest is the study of the dynamic solar corona via the analysis and theoretical interpretation of thermal and non-thermal radiation. His primary contributions have been in the area of solar flare and CME physics where he has developed theoretical models for the production of gamma-rays, hard X-rays, and soft X-ray line broadening. Currently, he is involved with a number of projects relating to understanding the initiation and evolution of solar flares and CMEs by exploring particle production in association with, magnetic topology, helicity injection and filament eruptions. He has recently led a study investigating the long-term behaviour of solar active regions in their build-up to large Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) events. 


    Dr. Alexander has recently started exploring a number of other areas including star-planet interactions with a focus on apply what we learn in the solar system to other extrasolar systems and to the development of novel instrumentation for earth observing.

     

    Research Interests

     

    Star-planet interactions: study of the space physics of exoplanet systems and in particular the magnetic interaction between the planets and their parent stars.


    Flares/CMEs: Energetic particle acceleration and transport; flare energetics and dynamics; thermal/non-thermal evolution; CME initiation; CME acceleration and low coronal evolution; filament eruptions and their relation to CMEs; role of sunspot rotation in creating and evolving sigmoid active regions prior to eruption; role of helicity in eruption of CMEs.


    Active Region Evolution: Role of twist and writhe helicity in the dynamical evolution of sunspots, analysis of sunspot and sunspot group rotation, statistical studies of flare producing magnetic configurations, development of source conditions in the build-up to large Solar Energetic Particle events.


    Coronal Heating: Investigation of coronal heating using data from SXT, TRACE, SOHO and STEREO; application of hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loop models to explore emission characteristics in corona; coupling of sub-photospheric physics via magnetoconvection models to coronal physics via hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loop modeling.


    Solar Energetic Particles (SEP): Exploring the solar source conditions governing the spectral distributions of high energy particles observed at 1 AU.


    Active region simulation and modeling: Simulation of EUV and Soft X-ray emission in active regions, particularly for studying coronal heating and to provide simulated data for application to image reconstruction techniques for STEREO mission,


    Stellar Cycles: Exploration of soft X-ray emission from Sun as a proxy for other active stars and, in particular, what we can learn about the apparent lack of stellar cycles in Sun-like stars.


    Laboratory astrophysics: Experimentation in laboratory of solar phenomena, particularly dynamic consequences of the interaction of magnetic plasmoids with the ambient medium; application of these results to coronal jets and CMEs.


    Magnetic reconnection: Observational evidence for presence of reconnection in solar atmospheric phenomena; examination of reconnection rates in the solar atmosphere and comparison with prevailing theories.


    Solar Sails (solar and magnetospheric missions): Application of novel vantage points attainable by solar sails to explore solar and terrestrial physics domains not easily accessible with current propulsion technologies (e.g. out-of-ecliptic missions

     
    Teaching Areas
     Solar System, Solar Physics, Space Exploration and Astronomy
     
    Selected Publications
     Abstracts
     

    Coyner, A. J. and Alexander, D. "Implications of Temporal Development of Localized Ultraviolet and Hard X-Ray Emission for Large Solar Flares." ApJ (2009) In Revision

     
     

    Tian, L and Alexander, D. "Asymmetry of helicity injection flux in emerging active regions." ApJIn Revision

     
     Refereed articles
     

    Reep, J. W.; Bradshaw, S. J.; Alexander, D. "Optimal Electron Energies for Driving Chromospheric Evaporation in Solar Flares." Astrophysical Journal, 808: 177.

     
     

    Zhu, Chunming; Liu, Rui; Alexander, David; Sun, Xudong; McAteer, R. T. James "Complex Flare Dynamics Initiated by a Filament-Filament Interaction." Astrophysical Journal, 813: 60.

     
     

    C. Zhu & D. Alexander, "Eruption of BIfurcated Solar Filament." Solar Physics, 289: 279.

     
     

    C. Zhu, X. Sun, D. Alexander and A. Daou, "The Role of Interchange Reconnection in Facilitating A Filament Eruption." Solar Physics, 289: 4533.

     
     

    Zhu, C., Liu, R., Alexander,D., Sun, X. & McAteer. R.T.J. "Complex flare dynamics initiated by a filament-filament interaction." Astrophysical JournalIn Revision

     
     

    Energy-dependent asymmetries in hard X-ray flare footpoints, A. Daou and D. Alexander, ApJ (2014)

     
     

    Eruption of a Bifurcated Solar Filament, C. Zhu and D. Alexander, Solar Physics, 289, 279 (2013)

     
     

    Coronal magnetic field misalignment angles as a measure of active region non-potentiality, C. Zhu, D. Alexander and A. Sandman, Solar Physics (2014)

     
     

    The Role of Interchange Reconnection in Facilitating Filament Eruptions, C. Zhu, D. Alexander, X. Sun and A. Daou, Solar Physics (2014)

     
     

    Evidence for non-thermal hard X-ray photon saturation in large solar flares, A. Dou, D. Alexander, Solar Physics

     
     

    Eruption of a Bifurcated Solar Filament, C. Zhu, D. Alexander, 2013, Solar Physics, in press

     
     

    Velocity Characteristics of Rotating Sunspots, C. Zhu, D. Alexander, L. Tian, 2012, Solar Physics, 278, 121

     
     

    Zhu et al., Solar Phys., 2011, DOI:10.1007/s11207-011-9923-2  

     
     

    Gilbert et al. Astrophys. J., 2011, 727, 25.

     
     

    Tian et al., Astrophys. J., 2011, 727, 28.

     
     

    Comparing spatial distributions of solar prominence mass derived from coronal absorption,  H. G. Gilbert, G. Kilper, D. Alexander, and T. Kucera, 2011, ApJ, 727, 25.

     

     
     

    On asymmetry of magnetic helicity in emerging active regions: High-resolution observations, L. Tian, P. Demoulin, D. Alexander, and C. Zhu, ApJ, 2011, 727, 28.

     

     
     

    Implications of Temporal Development of Localized Ultraviolet and Hard X-ray Emission for Large Solar Flares, Coyner, A.J. and Alexander D., Astrophys. J., 705, 554 (2009)

     
     

    Comparison of STEREO/EUVI Loops with Potential Magnetic Field Models, Sandman, A., Aschwanden, M.J., DeRosa, M., Wuelser, J.-P., and Alexander, D., Solar Phys., 259, 1 (2009)

     
     

    Spatial and Temporal Development of Fiducial Current Systems in
    Solar Flares, Daou, A and Alexander, D., Astrophys. J.

     
     

    Mass Composition in Pre-eruption Quiet Sun Filaments, Kilper, G., Gilbert, H., and Alexander, D., Astrophys. J., 704, 522 (2009)

     
     

    Asymmetry of Helicity Injection Flux in Emerging Active Regions, Tian, L. and Alexander, D., Astrophys. J., 695, 1012, (2009)

     
     

    Hard X-ray Emission in Kinking Filaments, Liu, R. and Alexander, D., Astophys. J., 697, 999 (2009)

     
     

    Asymmetric Eruptive Filaments, Liu, R., Alexander, D., and Gilbert, H., Astrophys. J., 691, 1079 (2009)

     
     

    Implosion in a Coronal Eruption, Liu, R., Wang, H., and Alexander, D., Astrophys. J., 696, 121 (2009)

     
     

    POLAR investigation of the Sun—POLARIS, Appourchaux, T. et al., Experimental Astronomy, 23, 1079 (2009)

     
     

    On the origin of asymmetric helicity injection in emerging active regions, Fan Y., Alexander, D. and Tian, L., Astrophys. J., 707, 611 (2009)

     
     

    Aschwanden, M. J. et al. "Theoretical modeling for the STEREO mission." Space Science Reviews, 136: 565.

     
     

    Daou, A.G. and Alexander, D. "Spatial and Temporal Development of Fiducial Current Systems in Solar Flares." ApJSubmitted

     
     

    Gilbert, H. R., Daou, A. G., Young, D., Tripathi, D. and Alexander D. "The Filament-Moreton Wave INteraction of 2006 December 6." ApJ, 685 (2008) : 629.

     
     

    H. R. Gilbert, D. Alexander, and R. Liu "Filament Kinking and its Implications for Eruption and Reformation." Solar Phys., 245 (2007) : 287.

     
     

    H. R. Gilbert, G. Kilper and D. Alexander "Observational Evidence Supporting Cross-field Diffusion of Neutral Material in Solar Filaments." ApJ, 671 (2007) : 978.

     
     

    Kilper, G., Gilbert, H. and Alexander, D. "Mass Composition in Pre-Eruption Quiet Sun Filaments." ApJSubmitted

     
     

    L. Tian and D. Alexander "On the Origin of Magnetic Helicity in the Solar Corona." ApJ, 673 (2008) : 532.

     
     

    L. Tian, D. Alexander, and R. Nightingale "Significant Origins of Coronal Helicity in NOAA 10030." ApJ, 684 (2008) : 747.

     
     

    Liu, R., Wang, H. and Alexander, D. "Implosion in a coronal eruption." ApJSubmitted

     
     

    R. Liu, H. R. Gilbert, D. Alexander, & Y. Su "The Effect of Magnetic Reconnection and Writhing in A Partial Filament Eruption." ApJ, 680 (2008) : 1508.

     
     

    T. Appourchaux et al. "POLAR Investigation of the Sun / POLARIS." Experimental Astronomy (2008)

     
     

    D. Alexander "Laboratory Exploration of Solar Energetic Phenomena ." Astrophys. Space Sci., 307 (2007) : 197.

     
     

    D. Alexander and A. Daou "Saturation of Nonthermal Hard X-Ray Emission in Solar Flares ." ApJ, 666 (2007) : 1268.

     
     

    D. Alexander, R. Liu, H. R. Gilbert "Hard X-ray Production in a Failed Filament Eruption ." ApJ, 653 (2007) : 719.

     
     

    H. R. Gilbert, D. Alexander, and R. Liu "Filament Kinking and its Implications for Eruption and Reformation ." Solar Phys (2008) In Press

     
     

    H. R. Gilbert, G. Kilper and D. Alexander "Observational Evidence Supporting Cross-field Diffusion of Neutral Material in Solar Filaments ." ApJIn Press

     
     

    L. Tian and D. Alexander "On the Origin of Magnetic Helicity in the Solar Corona ." ApJ (2008) In Press

     
     

    L. Tian, D. Alexander, and R. Nightingale "Significant Origins of Coronal Helicity in NOAA 10030 ." ApJ (2008) In Revision

     
     

    R. Liu, D. Alexander and H. R. Gilbert "Kink-induced Catastrophe in a Corona Eruption ." ApJ, 661 (2007) : 1260.

     
     

    R. Liu, H. R. Gilbert, D. Alexander, & Y. Su "The Effect of Magnetic Reconnection and Writhing in A Partial Filament Eruption ." ApJ (2008) In Press

     
     

    T. Appourchaux et al. "POLAR Investigation of the Sun / POLARIS ." Experimental AstronomySubmitted

     
     

    Alexander, D. "An Introduction to the Pre-CME Corona." Space Science Reviews, 123 (2006)

     
     

    Alexander, D. and Coyner, A. J. "Temporal and Spatial Relationships between Ultraviolet and Hard X-Ray Emission in Solar Flares." Astrophys. J., 640 (2006) : 505-515.

     
     

    Alexander, D., Richardson, I. G. and Zurbuchen, T. H. "A Brief History of CME Science." Space Science Reviews, 123 (2006)

     
     

    Aschwanden, M. et al. "Theoretical Modeling for the Stereo Mission." Space Science Reviews (2006)

     
     

    D. Alexander and A. G. Daou "Saturation of non-thermal hard X-ray Emission in Solar Flares." Submitted

     
     

    L. Tian, D. Alexander and R. Nightingale "Significant origins of helicity in NOAA 10030." Astrophysical Journal (2006) In Revision

     
     

    M. Macdonald, C. R. McInnes, D. Alexander and A. W. Sandman "GeoSail: Exploring the magnetosphere using a low-cost solar sail." Acta Astronautica, 59 (2006) : 757.

     
     

    N. Gopalswamy, Z. Mikif, D. Maia, D. Alexander, H. Cremades, P. Kaufmann, D. Tripathi and Y.-M. Wang "The Pre-CME Sun." Space Science Reviews, 123 (2006)

     
     

    R. Liu, D. Alexander and H. R. Gilbert "Kink-induced Catastrophe in a Filament Eruption." Submitted

     
     

    Schwenn, R.; Raymond, J. C.; Alexander, D.; Ciaravella, A.; Gopalswamy, N.; Howard, R.; Hudson, H.; Kaufmann, P.; Klassen, A.; Maia, D.; and 8 coauthors "Coronal Observations of CMEs." Space Science Reviews, 123 (2006)

     
     

    Tian, L. and Alexander, D. "Role of Sunspot and Sunspot-Group Rotation in Driving Sigmoidal Active Region Eruptions." Solar Physics, 233 (2006) : 29-43.

     
     

    D. Alexander and A. Coyner "Temporal and Spatial Relationships Between Ultraviolet and Hard X-ray Emission in Solar Flares." Astrophysical Journal, 680In Press

     
     

    K. G. McClements and David Alexander "Fokker-Planck Modelling of Asymmetric Footpoint Hard X-ray Emission in Solar Flares." Astrophysical Journal, 619 (2005) : 1153.

     
     

    L. Tian, D. Alexander, Y. Liu and J. Yang "Magnetic Twist and Writhe of Delta-Active Regions." Solar Physics, 229 (2005) : 63.

     
     

    L. Tian, Y. Liu, J. Yang and D. Alexander "The role of the kink instability of a long-lived active region AR 9604." Solar Physics, 229 (2005) : 237-253.

     
     

    L.Tian and D. Alexander "Role of sunspot and sunspot-group rotation in driving sigmoidal active region eruptions." Solar PhysicsIn Press

     
     

    Y.-K. Ko, S. Gibson, D. Alexander + 9 others "Observations of a Coronal Jet During the Third Whole Sun Month Campaign." Astrophysical Journal, 623 (2005) : 519.

     
     Articles
     

    Alexander, D. and Machuca, A. "Houston, We have a Spaceport." Room: The Space Journal, 3: 23-27.

     
     

    Isella, Andrea and 35 others "Next Generation Very Large Array Memo No. 6, Science Working Group 1: The Cradle of Life." arXiv:1510.06444 [astro-ph.SR]

     
     

    Bringing the Sun Down to Earth, D. Alexander, 2012, Physics, 5, 90

     
     

    Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectroscopy: A Key Capability for Understanding the Physics of Solar Wind Acceleration, Cranmer, S. R.; Kohl, J. L.; Alexander, D.; Bhattacharjee, A.; Breech, B. A.; Brickhouse, N. S.; Chandran, B. D. G.; Dupree, A. K.; Esser, R.; Gary, S. P.; Hollweg, J. V.; Isenberg, P. A.; Kahler, S. W.; Ko, Y. -K.; Laming, J. M.; Landi, E.; Matthaeus, W. H.; Murphy, N. A.; Oughton, S.; Raymond, J. C.; Reisenfeld, D. B.; Suess, S. T.; van Ballegooijen, A. A.; Wood, B. E., eprint arXiv:1011.2469, 2010

     
     

    Uncovering Mechanisms of Coronal Magnetism via Advanced 3D Modeling of Flares and Active Regions, Fleishman, Gregory; Gary, Dale; Nita, Gelu; Alexander, David; Aschwanden, Markus; Bastian, Tim; Hudson, Hugh; Hurford, Gordon; Kontar, Eduard; Longcope, Dana; Mikic, Zoran; DeRosa, Marc; Ryan, James; White, Stephen, eprint arXiv:1011.2800, 2010

     
     

    Solar sail propulsion: enabling new capabilities for heliophysics, Johnson, L.; Young, R.; Alhorn, D.; Heaton, A.; Vansant, T.; Campbell, B.; Pappa, R.; Keats, W.; Liewer, P. C.; Alexander, D.; Ayon, J.; Wawrzyniak, G.; Burton, R.; Carroll, D.; Matloff, G.; Kezerashvili, R. Ya., eprint arXiv:1012.5250, 2010.

     
     

    Science Objectives for an X-Ray Microcalorimeter Observing the Sun, Laming, J. Martin; Adams, J.; Alexander, D.; Aschwanden, M; Bailey, C.; Bandler, S.; Bookbinder, J.; Bradshaw, S.; Brickhouse, N.; Chervenak, J.; Christe, S.; Cirtain, J.; Cranmer, S.; Deiker, S.; DeLuca, E.; Del Zanna, G.; Dennis, B.; Doschek, G.; Eckart, M.; Fludra, A.; Finkbeiner, F.; Grigis, P.; Harrison, R.; Ji, L.; Kankelborg, C.; Kashyap, V.; Kelly, D.; Kelley, R.; Kilbourne, C.; Klimchuk, J.; Ko, Y. -K.; Landi, E.; Linton, M.; Longcope, D.; Lukin, V.; Mariska, J.; Martinez-Galarce, D.; Mason, H.; McKenzie, D.; Osten, R.; Peres, G.; Pevtsov, A.; Porter, K. Phillips F. S.; Rabin, D.; Rakowski, C.; Raymond, J.; Reale, F.; Reeves, K.; Sadleir, J.; Savin, D.; Schmelz, J.; Smith, R. K.; Smith, S.; Stern, R.; Sylwester, J.; Tripathi, D.; Ugarte-Urra, I.; Young, P.; Warren, H.; Wood, B., eprint arXiv:1011.4052, 2010.

     
     

    Solar Polar Imager: Observing Solar Activity from a New Perspective, P. C. Liewer, D. Alexander, T. Appourchaux, J. Ayon, L. Floyd, D. Hassler, A. Kosovichev, N. Lugaz, J. Leibacher, N. Murphy, M. Velli, A. Vourlidas, Astro2010, 2010.

     
     

    Particle acceleration and transport on the Sun: New Perspectives at Radio Wavelengths, T. S. Bastian, D. Alexander, G. Emslie, G. Fleishman, D. E. Gary, G. Holman, H.Hudson, G. Hurford, S. Krucker, J. Lee, J. Miller, S. White, Astro2010 paper, 2010

     
     Books
     

    The Sun (Greenwood Guides to the Universe), Greenwood Press, ISBN 0313340773

     
     

    D. Alexander "The Sun."  (2009) In Press

     
     Book chapters
     

    David Alexander and Neil Murphy "Payload Design and Sizing." The International Handbook of Space Technology

     
     

    Alexander & Murphy, International Handbook of Space Technology, 2012, Eds. M. Macdonald and V. Badescu, Springer-Verlag

     
     

    J. Raymond et al. "Coronal Mass Ejections: Coronal Observations." Space Science Series of ISSIIn Revision

     
     

    M. Aschwanden et al. "Theoretical Modeling for the STEREO Mission." Submitted

     
     

    N. Gopalswamy et al. "The Pre-CME Sun." Space Sciences Series of ISSIIn Revision

     
     Refereed conference papers
     

    Alexander, D. "Laboratory Exploration of Solar Energetic Phenomena." Astrophysics and Space Science (2006)

     
     

    D. Alexander "The Pre-CME Corona." Space Science ReviewsIn Press

     
     

    D. Alexander, I. Richardson, and T. Zurbuchen "A brief History of CME Science." Space Science ReviewsIn Press

     
     

    J. Davis et al. "MTRAP: The Magnetic Transition Region Probe." In Press

     
     Conference papers
     

    D. Alexander et al. "Solar Polar Imager: Observing Solar Activity from a New Perspective." Proceedings of SOlWind 11/SOHO 16, Whistler Mountain, June 2005.In Press

     
     Other
     

    David Alexander "Houston's contributions to humanity: Space." Houston Chronicle

     
     

    P. Liewer, D. Alexander et al. "Solar Polar Imager: Observing Solar Activity from a New Perspective." In Revision

     
    Creative Works
     Other - American Geophysical Union Slide Set
     Slide Set on Sun-Earth interaction for general use by scientists, Online,
     
    Presentations
     Conference Paper
     

    "Exploiting Space Data in Terrestrial Applications ." (9/25/2015)

     
     Invited Papers
     

    "Planetary Magnetic Fields and Exoplanet Habitability." 100 Year Starship Symposium, Houston, TX. (9/20/14)

     
     Invited Talks
     

    "Synergies in Space and Ocean: Opportunities for offshore, shipping and subsea industries." (6/24/15)

     
     

    "TEDxHouston: What will the future of space exploration look like?." (10/18/15)

     
     

    "Texas Space Landscape." (5/2/15)

     
     

    "The Growing Space Landscape." Purple Mountain Observatory and Nanjing University, Nanjing, China. (7/23/15)

     
     

    "The Growing Space Landscape." University of Science and Technology China, Hefei, China. (7/21/15)

     
     

    "The Growing Space Landscape." Peking University, Beijing, China. (7/15/15)

     
     

    "The Growing Space Landscape." Institute for Advanced Study, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, (07/28/2015)

     
     

    "What's new in space?." (3/18/15)

     
     

    "Texas Space Landscape." Civil Engineering Conference: CECON2014, Galveston. (9/17/14)

     
     

    "The Ellington Spaceport." Civil Engineering Conference: CECON2014, Glaveston, TX. (9/17/14)

     
     

    A Collaborative Strategy for Space, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK 

     
     

    Space Utilization Technologies: the next step in the human exploration of space, UK Space Conference (7/17/13)

     
     

    Taming the Final Frontier: Space Exploration in the 21st Century, Baumann Institute visit to Rice

     
     

    "School Science & Technology Program
    Teacher Discussion: Astronomy." (1/23/12)

     
     

    "Space Stuff." Bellaire Rotary Club, (09/13/12)

     
     

    "Space: The not-so final frontier." ISSET visit, Rice University. (4/5/12)

     
     

    "The Future of NASA's leadership in the Human and Robotic exploration of Space." West University Rotary Club, (12/27/12)

     
     

    "The Rice Space Institute: Broadening Rice's Involvement in Space." Baumann Moscow State Technical University visit, Baker Institute, Rice University. (4/17/12)

     
     

    "The Rice Space Institute." European Space Solutions Conference, London, UK. (12/4/12)

     
     

    "What it takes to do Astrophysics." REDE, Rice University. (2/15/12)

     
     

    The Sun and Emission from Solar Radiation, David Alexander, MD Anderson Space Radiation Symposium, Rice University, 4/7/10

     
     

    Non-thermal photon saturation in solar flares, David Alexander, Goddard Sapce Flight Center 6/25/10

     

     
     

    Asymmetric Flux Emergence in Active Regions: Truth and Consequences, David Alexander, Godard Space Flight Center, 6/28/10

     
     

    The Sun, David Alexander, School Science & Technology Program, Rice University, 12/9/10

     
     

    The Sun and its interaction with the Earth: The fundamentals of Space Weather, David Alexander, King Saud University, Riyadh, 3/3/10

     
     

    "The "Tell-tale" topology for CME Initiation ." SHINE, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. (August 2007)

     
     

    "Transient Events on the Sun and in the Heliosphere ." SOHO 20, Gent, Belgium. (August 2007)

     
     

    Speaker.  "Sailing into the Sunset: Solar Sail Propulsion and its Application to Solar Physics." Nelson Reginald, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. (15 June 2005)

     
     

    Speaker.  "Solar Sail Spacecraft." Saturday Physics, Rice University. (4/2/05)

     
     

    Speaker.  "Space Weather and the Sun Earth Connection." NASA Headquarters, Washington DC. (June 14 2005)

     
     Keynote Speaker
     

    "Texas Space Landscape." Houston: Gateway to the Americas, (12/2/15)

     
     

    "Bringing Space to Space City." Houston Technology Center Tech Champs, League City, TX. (7/11/14)

     
     

    "Houston Spaceport." Houston Technology Center Tech Champs, (11/14/14)

     
     

    Houston: Space City 2020, Master of Ceremonies for Houston Spaceport event hosting Commercial Spaceflight Federation

     
     

    "Taming the Final Frontier: Space Exploration in the 21st Century." (3/26/13)

     
     Lectures
     

    "HOT! HOT! HOT! - Why the Sun needs a cold one." Inaugural Houston Pint o' Science, Mongoose and Cobra. (5/18/15)

     
     

    "Misconceptions in Astronomy: REMSL Program." (1/16/2015)

     
     

    Guest Faculty.  "Solar Atmosphere and Activity." NCAR Advanced Studies Program Heliophysics Summer School, (7/6/15)

     
     

    "The Dynamic Sun." (12/2/15)

     
     

    "The Future of Space Exploration." (10/28/15)

     
     

    Guest Faculty.  "The Sun: An overview." NCAR Advanced Studies Program Heliophysics Summer School, (7/7/15)

     
     

    " Space Studies at Rice." Emerging Scholars Program, Rice University. (07/23/12) With Mike Massimino

     
     Panelist
     

    "

    Technology: Houston, A Gatewat for US, Latin America and Caribbean Technology Companies

    ." Houston: Gateway to the Americas, (12/2/15)

     
     

    "International Space Medicine Summit: Education." ISMS 2012, Baker Institute, Rice University. (5/19/12)

     
     

    "The State of Transatlantic Space and Opportunities for US- UK Collaboration." European Space Solutions Conference, London, UK. (12/4/12)

     
     Seminar Speaker
     

    "Categorizing solar activity and scaling to other stars." (8/31/15)

     
     

    "Star-Planet Interactions: applying space physics to extrasolar systems." Purple Mountain Observatory and Nanjing University, Nanjing, China. (07/23/2015)

     
     

    "Star-Planet Interactions: applying space physics to extrasolar systems." Peking University, Beijing. (7/15/2015)

     
     

    "Star-Planet Interactions: applying space physics to extrasolar systems." University of Science and Technology China, Hefei, China. (07/20/2015)

     
     

    "Helical Magnetic Fields at the Sun ." AEA Technology, Culham, Culham, UK. (July 2007)

     
     

    "Helical Magnetic Fields at the Sun ." Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA. (June 2007)

     
     Session Chair
     

    "Scientia Conference: Space Exploration and Human Imagination." (4/12/13)

     
     

    "Texas Commercial Space Workshop." (10/2/13)

     
     

    "100 Year Starship Symposium: Future Visions." (9/15/12)

     
     

    " Synergies between Space and Offshore Exploration ." Transatlantic Science Week, Houston, USA. (11/15/12) With Bjorn Ottar Elseth, Norwegian Space Centre

     
     Workshops
     

    "Space Medicine Workshop." Harwell, UK. (11/30/12)

     
    Editorial Positions
     Associate Editor, Journal of Geophysical Research - Space Physics. American Geophysical Union. (2009 - 2009)

     Member of the Editorial Board, ROOM: A Space Journal. Aerospace International Research Center (AIRC). (2014 - 2015)

     Member of the Editorial Board, Space Science Reviews. Springer. (2013 - 2017)

     Member of the Editorial Board, Space Science Reviews. Springer. (2012 - 2012)

     Member of the Editorial Board, Space Science Reviews. Springer. (2014 - 2015)

     Associate Editor, Jurnal of Geophysical Research - Space Physics. (2008 - 2008)

     Associate Editor, Journal of Geophysical Research - Space Physics. (2006 - 2006)

    Supervised Theses & Dissertations
     Rui Liu, Master of Science Hard X-ray Production in a Failed Filament Eruption. (2006) (Thesis or Dissertation Director)

     Gary Kilper, Master of Science Observational Analysis of the Compositional Variation in Solar Filaments. (2006) (Thesis or Dissertation Director)

     Antoun Daou, PhD Observational and Theoretical Interpretation of Energetic. (2008) (Thesis or Dissertation Director)

     Aaron Coyner, PhD Multi-wavelength Analysis of Solar Transient Phenomena. (2008) (Thesis or Dissertation Director)

     Rui Liu, PhD Dynamics of Solar Eruptive Filaments. (2008) (Thesis or Dissertation Director)

     Gary K Kilper, PhD Mass composition and dynamics in quiet Sun prominences. (2009) (Thesis or Dissertation Director)

     Anne Sandman, PhD Reconstructing the Solar Magnetic Field. (2010) (Thesis or Dissertation Director)

     Anne Sandman, PhD Magnetic Modeling of the Solar Corona . (2010) (Thesis or Dissertation Director)

     Erica Lastufka, BS Spectral Characteristics of Hard X-Ray Emission in Double Footpoint Flares. (2011) (Committee Member)

     Cristal Tan, BS D Reconstruction of erupting and kinking filaments in the co ronal magnetic field. (2014) (Thesis or Dissertation Director)

     Jeffrey Reep, PhD Solar Physics (TBD). (2014) (Committee Member)

     Kyle Chapkin, BS The Measurement of Coronal Field Misalignment Angles and their Relationship to Active Region Non-Potentiality and Subsequent Flare Productivity. (2014) (Thesis or Dissertation Director)

     Chunming Zhu, PhD Coronal helicity injection from rotating sunspots. (2014) (Thesis or Dissertation Director)

     Chunming Zhu, PhD Solar Filament Eruptions. (2014) (Thesis or Dissertation Director)

     Jeffrey Reep, PhD Hydrodynamic Modeling of Heating Processes in Solar Flares. (2014) (Committee Member)

     Chunming Zhu, PhD Dynamics and Evolution of Solar Eruptive Prominences. (2014) (Thesis or Dissertation Director)

     William Barnes, PhD PhD Thesis: Title TBD. (2018) (Committee Member)

    Awards, Prizes, & Fellowships
     Distinguished Lecturer, Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Studies, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Technology (7/28/15)

     Scientia Fellow, Rice

     HAO Faculty Fellow, UCAR (Summer 2009)

     Faculty Fellow, National Center for Atmospheric Research (2008 - 2009)

     Kavli Frontiers Fellow, National Academy of Sciences (11/2/06)

     Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, White House (13 June 2005)

    Positions Held
     Chair, Solar Heliospheric and Interplanetary Environment, SHINE. (2010 - 2010)

     Member, Houston regional selection Committee, Marshall Scholarship. (2014 - 2014)

     Committee Member, Solar Physics Division of AAS. (2014 - 2015)

     Member, Advisory Board, SpaceCom. (2015 - 2016)

     Member, Advisory Board, High Altitude Observatory, COSMO. (2014 - 2014)

     Advisory Board Member, SpaceCom. (2014 - 2014)

     Advisor, Houston Spaceport. (2014 - 2014)

     Vice Chair Solar Physics Division, American Astronomical Society . (2013 - 2013)

     University Member Representative, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. (2012 - 2014)

     Member, Advisory Board, School of Science & Technology, Rice University. (2012 - 2014)

     Science Director, Engineering Design for Middle School Science (EDMSS) program. (2012 - 2013)

     Director, Rice Space Institute. (2012 - 2015)

     Committee Chair, Mauna Loa Solar Observatory Users Committee. (2010 - 2010)

     Committee Member, American Geophysical Union Publications Committee. (2010 - 2010)

     Committee member, American Astronomical Society Solar Physics Division Steering Committee on SPD Summer Schools. (2010 - 2010)

     Steering Committee member, SHINE. (2009 - 2009)

     Member NASA Heliophysics Subcommittee, NASA headquarters. (2010 - 2010)

     Science Advisory Panel member, NCAR/HAO COSMO. (2009 - 2009)

     Workshop Coordinator, SHINE. (2009 - 2009)

     JGR-Space Physics Editor Search Committee, American Geophysical Union. (2009 - 2009)

     Scientia Fellow, Rice University. (2014 - 2014)

     Vice-Chair American Astronomical Society Solar Physics Division , AAS. (2010 - 2010)

     JGR-Planets Editor Search Committee member, American Geophysical Union. (2010 - 2010)

     EOS Scientific Editors (4) Search Committee, American Geophysical Union. (2010 - 2010)

     Committee member, NASA Advisory Council Heliophysics Sub-committee. (2010 - 2012)

     Chair, Mauna Loa Solar Observatory Users Committee, High Altitude Observatory. (2012 - 2014)

     Committee member, American Geophysical Union Publications Committee. (2011 - 2012)

     Chair, Solar Physics Division, American Astronomical Society . (2012 - 2012)

     Committee member, High Altitude Observatory - Frontiers Steering Committee. (2012 - 2012)

     Chair, Solar Heliospheric and Interplanetary Environment, SHINE. (2010 - 2013)

     Steering Committee Member, SHINE. (2005 - 2005)

     Committee Member - SPD Summer Schools Committee, American Astronomical Society. (2006 - 2006)

     Committee Member - Solar and Heliospheric MOWG, NASA. (2006 - 2006)

     SH-MOWG committe member, NASA. (2005 - 2005)

     Member, SPA EPO Committee, American Geophysical Union. (2006 - 2006)

     Advisory Board Member: Ancient Observatories, NSA SECEF. (2005 - 2005)

     Advisory Board Member - COSMO, National Center for Atmospherc Research. (2006 - 2006)

     SHINE Workshop Coordinator, NSF-SHINE. (2005 - 2005)

     Workshop Coordinator, Solar, Heliospheric and Interplanmetary Environment (SHINE). (2006 - 2006)

     Sub-committee member for SPD EPO, AAS/Solar Physics Division. (2005 - 2005)

     Member of SPD steering committee on summer schools, AAS Solar Physics division. (2005 - 2005)

     Workshop Coordinator, SHINE. (2008 - 2008)