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Chris Webster
Manager, Planetary Sciences Instruments Office

Education

B.Sc. (Hons) Chemical Physics, University of Reading (UK)
Ph.D. Molecular Spectroscopy, University of Bristol (UK) (1977)

Research Interests

Mars chemistry and habitability, isotope ratio biomarkers
Earth atmospheric chemistry and transport studied through in situ aircraft and balloon measurements using state-of-the-art laser spectroscopic instruments
Earth's hydrological cycle, cloud origin and water transport studied using water isotope ratios

Available Post-Doc Position

Tunable Laser Spectroscopy of Planetary Atmospheres
Opportunities exist for research that directly support the goals of NASA's Mars Exploration Program by conducting research that will (i) support an existing instrument on the MSL mission (Tunable Laser Spectrometer TLS on SAM) and (ii) develop new measurement techniques for the next-generation of tunable laser spectrometers for future planetary missions. With the Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) being designed and built for NASA's Mars Science Lab (MSL) mission, the NPP will conduct research that will form the basis for the accurate interpretation of isotopic composition data collected by the instrument in the 2010-2013 period of roving on the Martian surface. Specifically, the NPP will conduct fundamental research activities in the area of carbon and oxygen isotope fractionation, specifically the effects of the chemistry and physics of wall and surface interactions on possible isotope scrambling. Gases of interest include methane, water, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. This will have direct relevance to the measurement strategy using reference gas cells and to the observational interpretations for the data acquired during a Mars mission of several years. In addition, it is desirable that the NPP have expertise in developing new infrared laser techniques for planetary experiments, such as cavity ring down and photoacoustic spectroscopy.

Projects

MSL - Mars Science Laboratory
The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission is scheduled to land a rover to Mars in 2012, with the goal of assessing the past and present habitability of the area it explores on Mars.

Professional Experience

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (1981 - present)
- Principal Investigator, TLS on Mars Science Lab (MSL) (2005-present)
- Principal Investigator, numerous Earth and Planetary Science research grants
- Element Leader for Atmospheric Chemistry (2000-2002)
- Group Supervisor, Atmospheric Laser Spectroscopy Group (1985-present)
- Senior Research Scientist (1990-present)
- Section Manager for Earth and Oceanographic Science (1988-90)
- Senior Scientist (1981-86)
Caltech Visiting - Full Professor, Geological and Planetary Sciences (1992-1994)
Stanford University - Postdoctoral Research Associate with Dick Zare (1979-81)
Observatoire de Paris, Meudon - Postdoctoral Researcher with Francois Rostas (1977-79)
Bristol University, England - Graduate student with Prof. Richard Dixon (1974-77)

Selected Awards

NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal (2004)
Ed Stone Award for Outstanding Research Paper (2003)
NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal (1992)
NASA Group Achievement Awards (13 from 1992-present: team lead on 8)
NASA Certificates of Recognition for New Technology (12 from 1983)
Royal Society of London Student Fellowship (1977)

Selected Publications

C.R. Webster, "Measuring Methane and Its Isotopes 12CH4, 13CH4, CH3D on the Surface of Mars using in situ Laser Spectroscopy," Applied Optics, 44, 1226-1235, 2005.
A. Gettleman and C.R. Webster, "Simulations of Water Isotope Abundances in the Tropical Tropopause Layer and Implications for Stratospheric Transport," accepted J. Geophys. Res. March 2004.
T.J. Garrett, A.J. Heymsfield, M.J. McGill, D.G. Baumgardner, P.T. Bui, B.A. Ridley, C.R. Webster, and E.M. Weinstock, "Convective Generation of Cirrus Near the Tropopause," submitted to J. Geophys. Res. March 2004.
C.R. Webster, G.J. Flesch, R. Haberle, and J. Bauman, "Miniature Laser Hygrometer for Studying Mars Climate," accepted for Applied Optics, 2004.
C.R. Webster and A.J. Heymsfield, "Water Isotope Ratios D/H, 18O/16O and 17O/16O In and Out of Clouds Map Dehydration Pathways," Science, 302, 1742-1745, 5 Dec 2003.
C.R. Webster, G.J. Flesch, D.C. Scott, J. Swanson, R.D. May, W.S. Woodward, C. Gmachl, F. Capasso, D.L. Sivco, J.N. Baillargeon, A.L. Hutchinson, A.Y. Cho "Quantum cascade laser measurements of stratospheric methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O)," Applied Optics, 40, 321-326, 2001.
C.R. Webster, H.A. Michelsen, M.R. Gunson, J.J. Margitan, J.M. Russell III, G.C. Toon, and W.A. Traub, "The response of lower stratospheric HCl/Cly to volcanic aerosol: Observations from aircraft, balloon, space shuttle, and satellite instruments," J. Geophys. Res., 105, 11,711-11,719, (2000).

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