Elizabeth Middleton | Earth and Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University of Maryland, Baltimore County, MD, USA | United States

Dr. Elizabeth M. Middleton is a distinguished research scientist and senior research consultant at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), with decades of leadership in carbon dynamics, photobiology, and vegetation remote sensing, including spectroscopy and fluorescence-based satellite observation. Over her extensive career at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) , she made pioneering contributions to global-scale ecosystem monitoring and Earth observation missions. She served in several key roles, including Project Manager of the Eastern Regional Remote Sensing Applications Center, Principal Investigator for major projects such as the Boreal Ecosystem Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) in Canada and NASA’s Carbon Cycle Science Program, and Deputy Project Manager for the Large-Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA). As EO-1 Mission Scientist for NASA’s Earth Observer-1 satellite and GSFC Lead Scientist for the Hyperspectral Infrared Imager (HyspIRI) concept, she was instrumental in advancing satellite technologies for monitoring ecosystem productivity. Her research has significantly enhanced understanding of light use efficiency, vegetation fluorescence, and biosphere-atmosphere interactions. Dr. Middleton has also contributed as a member of the European Space Agency’s Fluorescence Explorer (FLEX) advisory group and as co-investigator in joint NASA/ESA field campaigns. An active member of several professional societies including ESA, AIBS, IEEE, and AGU, she has served as guest editor for multiple leading journals in remote sensing and as a reviewer and panelist for numerous scientific programs. Recognized through numerous NASA awards—including the Exceptional Service Medal and the Nordberg Award for Outstanding Earth Science—her career embodies scientific excellence and sustained contributions to advancing ecological and atmospheric research through remote sensing innovation.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Huemmrich, K. F., Campbell, P. E. K., Harding, D. J., Ranson, K. J., Wynne, R., Thomas, V., & Middleton, E. M. (2022). Evaluating approaches relating ecosystem productivity with DESIS spectral information. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLVI-1/W1-2021, 31–37.

Huemmrich, K. F., Campbell, P. K., Landis, D. R., & Middleton, E. M. (2019). Developing a common globally applicable method for optical remote sensing of ecosystem light use efficiency. Remote Sensing of Environment, 230, 111190.

Huemmrich, K. F., Campbell, P., Vargas, S. A., Sackett, S., Unger, S., May, J., Tweedie, C., Joiner, J., Yoshida, Y., & Middleton, E. (2022). Leaf-level chlorophyll fluorescence and reflectance spectra of high latitude plants. Environmental Research Communications, 4(3), 035001.

Joiner, J., Yoshida, Y., Anderson, M., Holmes, T., Hain, C., Reichle, R., Koster, R., Middleton, E., & Zeng, F. (2018). Global relationships between satellite-derived solar-induced fluorescence (SIF), traditional vegetation indices (NDVI and NDII), evapotranspiration (ET), and soil moisture anomalies. Remote Sensing of Environment, 219, 339–352

Nichol, C. J., Drolet, G., Porcar-Castell, A., Maclellan, C., Wade, T., Sabater, N., Middleton, E. M., MacLellan, C., Levula, J., Mammarella, I., Vesala, T., & Atherton, J. A. (2019). Diurnal and seasonal solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence in a boreal Scots pine canopy. Remote Sensing, 11(3), 273.

Sabater, N., Vicent, J., Alonso, L., Verrelst, J., Middleton, E. M., Atherton, J., Porcar-Castell, A., & Moreno, J. (2018). Compensation of oxygen transmittance effects for proximal sensing retrieval of canopy-leaving sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence. Remote Sensing, 10(10), 1551.

Dr. Neda Esfandiari | Synoptic Climatology | Best Researcher Award

PHD at Shahid Beheshti University’s, Iran

Dr. Neda Esfandiari, an accomplished Iranian climatologist born on September 4, 1990, holds a Ph.D. in Synoptic Climatology from Shahid Beheshti University. Her research, focusing on atmospheric rivers and their impact on heavy precipitation in Iran, earned her an excellent grade. Currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at Shahid Beheshti University’s Remote Sensing and GIS Studies Center, Neda has led an independent project exploring the effects of Atmospheric Rivers on Iran’s dry and wet periods. With a strong background in applied and synoptic climatology, she has published influential articles and actively contributed to projects addressing rural development and spatial analysis.

Professional Profiles:

Orcid profile

googlescholar profile

ResearchGate profile

LinkedIn profile

Education:

Ph.D. in Synoptic Climatology, Shahid Beheshti University (2016-2021) Thesis Title: Synoptic-Thermodynamic Analysis of Atmospheric Rivers and Their Role in Heavy Precipitation in Iran. M.Sc. in Applied Climatology, University of Tehran (2012-2014) Thesis Title: Exploring the Role of Meteorological Elements in Highrise Residential Complexes (Eskan Complexes). B.Sc. in Physical Geography, University of Tehran (2008-2012)

Latest Job Position:

Postdoctoral Researcher/Executor at Remote Sensing and GIS Studies Center, Shahid Beheshti University.

Professional Experience:

Implemented various research projects, including rural planning and development of sparse rural systems.

Research Area and Specialization

Synoptic Climatology, Applied Climatology, Extreme Phenomena

Research Focus:

Neda Esfandiari’s research spans diverse areas of nanomedicine and cancer therapy. With a focus on liposomal nanomedicine, her work explores applications for drug delivery in cancer treatment, as evidenced by her publication in Nanoscale Research Letters (2021). Additionally, she contributes to advancements in ultrasensitive pesticide detection using green carbon dots (Plos One, 2020). Neda’s expertise extends to utilizing plant virus nanoparticles for breast cancer drug delivery and investigating the cytotoxicity of carbon dots (Tumor Biology, 2016; Heliyon, 2019). Her significant contributions to cancer nanotechnology and drug delivery showcase a commitment to innovative solutions for medical challenges. #Nanomedicine #CancerTherapy #InnovativeResearch