Research Scientist III

ian.baker@colostate.edu

Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere
Colorado State University
1375 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1375

(970)556-8646

CIRA 45

My research sits in the space between Ecology and Atmospheric Science. I study the interaction of the atmosphere and terrestrial biosphere with regard to the exchange of momentum, energy, water and trace gases between the land and atmosphere.  I am interested in carbon cycle dynamics on spatial scales from plant to planet and temporal scales from the diurnal to multidecadal. I employ a variety of tools in these studies: computer models, and surface-, airborne-, and satellite-based observations. I am particularly interested in reconciling optimized models of carbon flux (inversions) with our best hypotheses of ecosystem behavior, as represented by processed-based models. I have experience with utilizing novel methods and observations to constrain our understanding of biophysics, in both observational and modeling frameworks. These include studies of the fractionation of carbon isotopes (12C/13C) during photosynthesis, Solar-Induced Fluorescence (SIF), and the exchange of Carbonyl Sulfide (OCS, a CO2 analog) at the land surface.