HU Professor Named 2008 Virginia's Outstanding Scientist

Hampton, VA - Dr. James M. Russell III has been named a Virginia Outstanding Scientist 2008 Award recipient by Governor Timothy M. Kaine and the Science Museum of Virginia. Russell, professor and co-director of the Hampton University Center for Atmospheric Sciences, has been a part of the HU family for the past 12 years.

Russell is a pioneer in satellite atmospheric remote sensing, in studies of the ozone layer and in research on the structure, chemistry and physics of the high atmosphere. His most recent research uses data from the AIM satellite mission he leads to study mysterious "noctilucent" or night shinning clouds that form in Earth's Polar Regions, 50 miles above the Earth's surface during the summer. These clouds are changing in ways that are not understood, the most plausible explanation is that there is a connection with global change near the Earth surface. AIM is the first NASA satellite mission dedicated to the study of noctilucent clouds and the first to be led by a historically black college or university (HBCU).

"Dr. Russell is an extraordinary researcher," stated Hampton University President, Dr. William R. Harvey. "His work with AIM and other satellite missions has given the international community a better understanding of global change."

Russell is principal investigator for the HALOE satellite experiment launched September 1991, that confirmed that chlorine from manmade chlorofluorocarbons, also known as Freon, is the cause of the ozone hole. This finding settled a global controversy about the importance of human versus natural chlorine sources in ozone destruction. His data further showed that stratospheric chlorine is decreasing in accord with international Montreal Protocol regulations and that the ozone layer is beginning to recover. Russell is also principal investigator for the SABER satellite instrument launched December 2001, that studies the high atmosphere termed the mesosphere and the lower thermosphere. This is the least explored and understood region of Earth's atmosphere. Originally a three-year mission, SABER observations will continue at least through 2010.

Russell served as head of the Chemistry and Dynamics Branch and later the Theoretical Studies Branch at the NASA Langley Research Center, Atmospheric Sciences Division, before joining Hampton University in 1996. He has a bachelor's degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, a master's degree from the University of Virginia and a doctorate from the University of Michigan. He is author or co-author of more than 350 papers in scientific literature.

This is the second consecutive year an HU professor was named Virginia's Outstanding Scientist. Last year, Dr. M. Patrick McCormick, co-director and professor of the HU Center for Atmospheric Sciences, was honored with the award.