NWRA Company Overview

NorthWest Research Associates, Inc., (NWRA) is a small scientific research group with a primary focus in the geophysical sciences that includes, but is not limited to: oceanography, sea-ice mechanics, and atmospheric, ionospheric, and solar physics. NWRA is owned and operated by the Principal Investigators of the company and has over 70 employees in four office locations.

NWRA Mission Statement: To provide an environment for unencumbered science, in which scientists and engineers can achieve excellence in basic and applied research.

The NWRA team provides:

• Leadership - NWRA’s management personnel possess advanced technical skills and knowledge coupled with leadership and management skills. This combination of skills integrates practical technical experience into the management of technology-based enterprises.
• Team atmosphere - NWRA's mission is to identify and research novel ideas in the geosciences arena.
• Expertise - NWRA is comprised of innovative research scientists, engineers, scientific programmers and technical staff.
• Commitment - NWRA's administrative personnel to having open communication, producing quality work, and maintaining standards.

In addition to the Corporate headquarters in Redmond, Washington, NWRA has employees in Boulder, Colorado; Monterey, California; and in Tucson, Arizona.

Seattle Division Research Areas
Atmosphere Ed Andreas Mark Baldwin Tim Dunkerton Pascale Lelong Gad Levy Larry Mahrt David Ortland Robert Robins Richard Scott Ocean and Earth Ed Andreas Max Coon Donald Delisi David Lai Pascale Lelong Gad Levy Joan Oltman-Shay Lee Piper Matthew Pruis Robert Robins Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Ed Andreas Sergey Fridman Mark Hausman Dennis Knepp LJ Nickisch Chad Spooner		Ionosphere Sergey Fridman Dennis Knepp LJ Nickisch James Secan Sea Ice Ed Andreas Max Coon Gad Levy Matthew Pruis Instruments and Software George Mellman Joan Oltman-Shay Robert Robins James Secan Francis Smith Chad Spooner

CoRA Division Research Areas
Atmosphere Joan Alexander Patricia Franke David Fritts Rolf Hertenstein Diego Janches Ruth Lieberman Ralph Milliff Dennis Riggin Sharon Vadas-Arendt Ling Wang Bifford Williams Instruments and Software Patricia Franke Diego Janches Bifford Williams		Solar Graham Barnes Aaron Birch Douglas Braun KD Leka Charles Lindsey Thomas Lund Joseph Werne Martin Woodard Ocean Joan Alexander Ruth Lieberman Ralph Milliff Jan Morzel Robert Stockwell Fluid Dynamics Patricia Franke Dan Goldstein Rolf Hertenstein Ruth Lieberman Ling Wang

Example Science Endeavors

• Solar Physics (1.5 x 10⁸ KM up)
• Observation and model studies of the Sun's interior (helioseismology) - far-side imaging.
• Observation and model studies of solar magnetic fields, specializing in active regions and solar flares/Coronal Mass Ejections.
• Ionosphere (100 KM up)
• Observation and model studies on the effect of solar activity on the ionosphere.
• Modeling of electron density distribution & associated radio wave propagation effects.
• Mesosphere & Stratosphere (10-100 KM up)
• Theoretical, model, and ovservation studies of planetary and gravity waves and the effects on climate.
• Methods for estimating winds and temperatures remotely (satellite retrieval methods).
• Troposphere (mostly breathable stuff)
• Observational studies of the vertical coupling with Stratosphere/Mesosphere planetary waves: climate and weather prediction.
• Observational studies of tropical planetary waves with moisture.
• Ocean-Atmosphere Boundary Layer
• Remote sensing of ocean surface winds, biological activity, surface-gravity waves.
• Sea Ice
• Development of sea-ice dynamic models for climate studies and for forecasting.
• Oceanography
• Observation studies in nearshore waves, currents, and morphodynamics.
• Observation and model studies of internal waves and turbulence.
• Ocean Bottom
• Hot Thermal Vents: Observational studies of mass and energy transport into and out of the crust.
• Classical fluid dynamics
• Laboratory, modeling, and observational studies of turbulence and vortices.
• Applications of Geophysical Signal Processing
• Inverse methods applied to ECG signals for the purpose of identifying certain rhythmic disorders.