Thomas Pongetti
Address:
4800 Oak Grove Drive
M/S TMO-
Phone:
760.249.3236Fax:
760.249.5392Curriculum Vitae:
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Laboratory Studies And Atmospheric ObservationsBiography
Thomas Pongetti is a senior technologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory specializing in ground-based atmospheric remote sensing and long-term trace gas measurements. His work focuses on developing, modernizing, and operating spectroscopic instruments that measure atmospheric composition and support Earth-observing satellite missions.
He leads field-based atmospheric measurement efforts and contributes to the development of advanced spectroscopic systems for improved trace gas retrieval. His work integrates instrument automation, laboratory spectroscopic characterization, environmental testing, and field deployment to ensure reliable, long-term atmospheric observations.
Thomas supports calibration, intercomparison, and satellite product assessment activities that strengthen the scientific value and traceability of ground-based measurements. He is particularly interested in sustaining and modernizing atmospheric observation infrastructure while advancing new instrument capabilities that improve sensitivity to key atmospheric constituents.
Education
- B.S., Physics, California State University Fullerton, with honors and distinction in physics (2001)Minor in Mathematics (2001)
- M.S., Physics, California State University Fullerton (2005)
Professional Experience
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory (2002-Present)
- Technologist (2016 - Present)
- Scientist (2009 -2016)
- Technical Staff (2006-2009)
- Technical Associate (2002 - 2006)
- California State University Fullerton (2000-2021)
- Teaching Associate - Department of Physics (2001- 2021)
- Research Associate - Physics - Optics Laboratory (2000 - 2002)
Research Interests
- Trace gas remote sensing and long-term atmospheric monitoring
- Development and field validation of spectroscopic measurement systems
- Spectropolarmetric techniques for improved atmospheric retrieval sensitivity
- Calibration, intercomparison, and satellite product assessment support
- Instrument automation and modernization of atmospheric measurement infrastructure
Selected Awards
- Voyager Award (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) for innovation in atmospheric instrument development (2025)
- NASA Group Achievement Awards for contributions to Earth Science calibration and validation efforts (2023, 2016, 2015, 2009, 2008)
- Recognition for sustained operational excellence in long-term atmospheric observation programs (2016, 2007)
Selected Publications
- Zeng, ZC., Pongetti, T., Newman, S., Oda, T., Gurney, K., Palmer, P., Yung, Y., Sander, S., Decadal decrease in Los Angeles methane emissions is much smaller than bottom-up estimates. Nature Communications 14, 5353 (2023).
- van Kempen, T. A., Rotmans, T. J., van Hees, R. M., Bruegge, C., Fu, D., Hoogeveen, R., Pongetti, T. J., Rosenberg, R., and Aben, I.: Vicarious calibration of the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) short-wave infrared (SWIR) module over the Railroad Valley Playa, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 4507–4527, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4507-2023, 2023.
- Zhang, Q., Natraj, V., Li, K.-F., Shia, R.-L., Fu, D., Pongetti, T. J., Sander, S. P., Roehl, C. M., & Yung, Y. L. (2015). Accounting for aerosol scattering in the CLARS retrieval of column-averaged CO₂ mixing ratios. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 120, 7205–7218.
- Wong, K. W., Fu, D., Pongetti, T. J., Newman, S., Kort, E. A., Duren, R., Hsu, Y.-K., Miller, C. E., Yung, Y. L., & Sander, S. P. (2015). Mapping CH₄:CO₂ ratios in Los Angeles with CLARS-FTS from Mount Wilson, California. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 15, 241–252.
- Fu, D., Pongetti, T. J., Blavier, J.-F. L., Crawford, T. J., Manatt, K. S., Toon, G. C., Wong, C., & Sander, S. P. (2014). Near-infrared remote sensing of Los Angeles trace gas distributions from a mountaintop site. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 7, 713–729.
- Wang, S., Pongetti, T. J., Sander, S. P., Spinei, E., Mount, G. H., Cede, A., & Herman, J. (2010). Direct Sun measurements of NO₂ column abundances from Table Mountain, California: Intercomparison of low- and high-resolution spectrometers. Journal of Geophysical Research, 115, D00J02.
- Wang, S., Li, K.-F., Pongetti, T. J., Sander, S. P., Yung, Y. L., Liang, M.-C., Livesey, N. J., & Santee, M. L. (2013). Atmospheric OH response to the most recent 11-year solar cycle. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110, 2023–2028.