Gregory Elsaesser's research focuses on the use of observations from multiple satellites (Aqua AIRS, GPM, TRMM) and NASA/DOE field campaigns to improve our understanding of convection and the environment in which it is developing. Knowledge gained is used to improve GISS-ModelE Earth system model (ESM) parameterizations. He maintains a close connection with the satellite observational product development community, currently serving as the NASA Co-Chair for Obs4MIPs, and maintaining the widely-used Multisensor Advanced Climatology of Liquid Water Path (MAC-LWP) record for improved cloud LWP observations in stratocumulus regimes and constraints on total LWP observations in deep convective regions.
Regarding GISS ESM development, Dr. Elsaesser recently advanced representation of convective ice and liquid and detrainment of condensate into stratiform clouds, leading to improvement in global cloud condensate simulation in the GISS Model E3 ESM. He also leads the effort at GISS to use machine learning to automate tuning of the ModelE ESM atmosphere (beginning with Model E3).