Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Ben Johnson is a leading atmospheric scientist whose research focuses on the physical and optical properties of mineral dust and biomass burning aerosols, and their profound impact on the Earth's radiative balance. His most influential work stems from the Dust and Biomass‐burning Experiment (DABEX), where he led aircraft measurements over West Africa that provided critical, in-situ data on aerosol optical properties. This foundational research, published in 2008 and cited over 220 times, has become a benchmark for understanding dust aerosol in the Sahel. Johnson’s contributions extend to rigorous model evaluation, including assessments of the Met Office dust forecast model and satellite-based evaluations of global AeroCom models, which have exposed biases in simulating biomass burning aerosol distributions. His work is distinguished by its multi-platform approach, combining aircraft, ground-based, and satellite observations to quantify aerosol radiative effects and heating rates, as demonstrated in his analysis of a major Saharan dust storm. With over 397 total citations across his key papers, Johnson’s research is essential for improving climate models and forecasting the health and climate impacts of atmospheric aerosols.