Cooperative Science Centers (CSC)

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Center Director: Name: Reza Khanbilvardi, Ph.D. Phone #: 212-650-8009 E-mail: khanbilvardi@ccny.cuny.edu Deputy Director: Name: Fred Moshary, Ph.D. Phone #: 212-650-7251 E-mail: moshary@ccny.cuny.edu Center Coordinator: Name: Shakila Merchant, Ph.D. Phone #: 212-650-8379 E-mail: merchant@ce.ccny.cuny.edu Distinguished Professor: Name: William Rossow, Ph.D. Phone #: 212-650-5389 E-mail: wbrossow@ccny.cuny.edu Distinguished Scientist: Name: Charles Vorosmarty, Ph.D. Phone #: 212-650-5017 E-mail: vorosmarty@ce.ccny.cuny.edu Technical Monitor: Name: Alfred Powell, Ph.D. Phone #: 301-763-8127 x101 E-mail: al.powell@noaa.gov

Lead Institution: The City College of The City University of New York (Hispanic Serving Institution)

Academic Partners: Lehman College, New York City College of Technology, Bronx Community College, California State University, Los Angeles, Hampton University, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, and University of Maryland at Baltimore County

NOAA Collaborative Research Partner: National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service

Other NOAA Research Partners: National Weather Service and National Ocean Service


The focus of CREST is to increase the number of educated, trained and graduated students from underrepresented communities in NOAA related science and technology. The Center’s research and training focuses on all aspects of remote sensing including: sensor development for environmental monitoring, satellite remote sensing of atmosphere and land, ground-based field measurements, data processing and analysis, modeling and forecasting. CREST’s research and training has three main thrust areas: (1) Remote sensing application for climate and air quality; (2) Remote sensing of coastal waters; and, (3) Application of satellite remote sensing in precipitation and water resources. CREST is an outstanding example of partnership between a Federal agency and academic institutions to educate and train students in the field of environmental remote sensing by conducting research consistent with NOAA’s goals and mission. The recruitment and training focuses on mentoring undergraduate, masters and doctoral students into scientific and engineering disciplines in which they can specialize in remote sensing. The program includes seminars, summer internships with NOAA and industrial partners and school-year research assistantships.
CREST has two primary goals: (1) to build and demonstrate an institutional capacity to conduct cutting edge research in remote sensing science and technology in line with NOAA’s mission goals; and, (2) to recruit, mentor and train increasing numbers of undergraduate and graduate students particularly from underrepresented communities in science, engineering and technology in areas of relevance to NOAA. Through these two goals, CREST aims to provide a diverse and well-trained future workforce for NOAA, NOAA contractors, other Federal agencies, NOAA stakeholders, academia and to develop a recruitment pipeline of students from high school through college levels and doctoral programs.