Susan Kizer has been supporting the NASA LaRC Science Directorate for over 20 years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Old Dominion University, but found that the atmospheric science community at NASA Langley better fit her personality and desire to make a difference. She has since taken Master-level courses in atmospheric science at Hampton University.
She began supporting NASA Earth Sciences by translating science updates to algorithm changes for the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System ERBE-like subsystem. Then, before the first SAGE III instrument was launched, she adapted SAGE I data products to the then current SAGE II algorithms in preparation for the SAGE III Meteor mission. She prepared the Cross-track Infrared Microwave Sounding Suite (CrIS and ATMS) level 2 science data algorithms for the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership launch and prepared Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) science data algorithms. She has now returned to the SAGE mission by joining the SAGE III/ISS data validation team.
She is dedicated to validating the SAGE III/ISS ozone and water vapor data products particularly with in-situ data from ozone sondes and LIDAR instruments stationed globally. Being a part of the SAGE legacy of stratospheric ozone monitoring has been quite rewarding for her. She has had exciting opportunities to represent SAGE III/ISS nationally and internationally. For example, representing the current SAGE III/ISS data at the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics General Assembly in Montreal during the 30th anniversary of the first Montreal Protocol Assessment of Stratospheric Ozone.
Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. You will most-likely see her cheering on her sons at a baseball field.