Steven Miller – Professor
Email: steven.miller@colostate.edu
Education
Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science – 2000 – Colorado State University
M.S. in Atmospheric Science – 1997 – Colorado State University
B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering – 1995 – University of California, San Diego
Career Overview
Steve Miller is a professor in Colorado State University’s Department of Atmospheric Science, where he also serves as the director of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA). From 2007-2021 he was a senior research scientist and deputy director at CIRA, developing physical algorithms and imagery for National Weather Service forecasters. Prior to his return to CSU, he worked at the Naval Research Laboratory in Monterey, California, from 2000-2007, where he developed numerous satellite applications in support of Coalition forces responding to the 9/11 attacks.
Teaching Interests
- Radiative transfer and environmental remote sensing fundamental theory
- Satellite meteorological applications, imagery/algorithm development
- Low-light visible sensing of the nocturnal environment
Research Interests
Professor Miller’s work, both in the Naval Research Laboratory and at CSU, has focused on meteorological satellite data algorithm development spanning a wide variety of research and applied topics. Among his interests: utilization of low-light visible sensors to study nocturnal phenomena, including nighttime cloud/aerosol detection and microphysical properties, the study of atmospheric gravity waves in airglow, the study of human behaviors and factors via nighttime artificial lights, and the pursuit of marine bioluminescence. His algorithm development interests include physically-based enhancements of environmental parameters (e.g., dust storms, clouds, wildland fires and smoke, snow/ice, vegetation, and ocean surface). As director of the NOAA Cooperative Institute, there is an applied-research, forecaster emphasis to his research, including the development of value-added imagery and observation/model-fusion, decision-support tools for assisting operational forecasters, decision makers, and stakeholders ranging from the National Weather Service to the Department of Defense.
Positions
- Professor, Colorado State University Department of Atmospheric Science graduate school, and director, Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA), 2021-present
- Senior research scientist and deputy director, Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, 2007-2021
- Senior satellite meteorologist, Naval Research Laboratory, Marine Meteorology Division, Monterey, CA, 2000-2007
- Graduate research assistant, Colorado State University Department of Atmospheric Science, 1995-2000
Awards
- Colorado Laboratories (CO-LABS) Governor’s Award for High-Impact Research, for “pioneering the development of an algorithm to display true-color imagery for the new era of geostationary satellites” (GeoColor), 2017
- NASA Group Achievement Award, presented to the GOES-R team for “excellence resulting in the successful GOES-R satellite launch, providing the nation’s foundation for the world’s highest quality weather monitoring and forecasting,” 2017
- CSU College of Engineering faculty and staff awards: Outstanding Administrative Professional Researcher, 2016
- NASA Group Achievement Award, presented to the Suomi NPP VIIRS Cal/Val team, 2012
- Alan Berman Research Publication Award: “Near Real-Time Applications of CloudSat Data,” 2009
- NOAA-David Johnson Award, National Space Club, 2007
- NASA Group Achievement Award, presented to the Naval Research Laboratory Monterey team for Tropical Cloud Systems and Processes intensive airborne science field campaign, 2006
- Alan Berman Research Publication Award for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences paper: “Detection of a Bioluminescent Milky Sea from Space” by Miller et al., 2005
- NASA Group Achievement Award, presented to the NOAA/NASA/DoD team for MODIS Near Real-Time Processing Effort (NRTPE), 2003
- Technology Transfer Award for transition of Satellite FOCUS page to Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center, Naval Research Laboratory, Monterey, CA, 2002