Overview
Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER) was founded in 1977 to provide a unique setting for basic and applied research in the atmospheric and related sciences. The staff of over 80 scientists and support personnel are involved in studies of remote sensing, space weather and effects research, satellite meteorology, numerical weather prediction, climatology, atmospheric chemistry, air quality and risk assessment, mathematical modeling and analysis, atmospheric sounding, oceanography, and systems engineering. With government and commercial projects spanning the range from basic research to operations and sustainment, AER develops advanced computer models, analysis tools, and databases designed for diagnostic and prognostic studies of atmospheric and oceanic dynamics, climate, composition, and radiation. AER is headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts.
In addition to our Lexington headquarters there are additional AER office locations in the United States (Albuquerque, New Mexico and Hampton, Virginia), and remote employees working in or near customer facilities (Boulder, CO; College Park, MD; Norman, OK).
AER operates an in-house computer facility centered on a Linux/UNIX server environment and supplemented by a desktop/laptop environment containing a mix of systems running Microsoft Windows, Apple MacOS, and Linux; Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides additional compute resources on an as-needed basis. Our computer and networking capabilities are sufficient for project needs while also facilitating collaboration between geographically separated team members. Our expertise in high performance computing includes running complex computer models on supercomputer facilities at agencies such as NASA, NOAA, and NSF. Our extensive experience employing cloud computing for research, development, and operational production work, includes experience containerizing software for efficient computation, the use of virtual machines on the cloud, and interaction with both cloud-computing and super-computing facilities around the world.
AER scientists and engineers routinely publish the results of their work in peer-reviewed scientific research journals. AER scientists serve with fellow university and government colleagues on numerous committees, such as those of the National Research Council. AER scientists also actively participate in the workings of professional organizations such as: the American Meteorological Association (AMS), the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (IEEE-GRSS), and the European Geophysical Union (EGU).
AER’s success is based on a solid heritage of past performance supporting national programs. In 1987, based on its groundbreaking remote sensing algorithm development and satellite sensor modeling and simulation, AER was chosen as a subcontractor to support design of elements and applications of both the civilian (NOAA) and military (DoD) polar orbiting meteorological satellite systems and later for the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (“DMSP”). Importantly in the early 1990’s, AER was the exclusive developer of science algorithms supported by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) for the Air Force’s Cloud Depiction and Forecast System (“CDFS-II”). Today these codes drive the world’s only operational satellite global cloud analysis and forecast system. AER’s demonstrated expertise was recognized in 1993 by an award from the American Meteorological Society (“AMS”) for its “Commitment to excellence, service to the public and notable contributions to atmospheric sciences.” These accomplishments laid the groundwork for AER’s selection as a key team member supporting the design phases of satellite remote sensors for the current NASA/NOAA Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) as well as in the design, implementation, and operation of the ground system for the Air Force Communication and Navigation Outage Forecast System (C/NOFS). In 2009, AER was selected, as part of the Harris Corporation team, to be the key environmental product software subcontractor for the Department of Commerce, NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite Series R (“GOES-R”) program ground system.
AER has implemented organizational, accounting, and management control processes to track progress and trends in projects using several industry-standard methodologies. The AER Headquarters in Lexington follows ISO 9001 certified processes that support continual improvement in the management of purchasing, bidding, project inception, execution, product delivery, reporting, customer satisfaction, and post project follow up. As a subsidiary of Verisk Analytics, a publicly traded company which is subject to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, AER’s accounting system and internal controls are robust. AER has extensive experience with projects that follow the principles of ANSI 748-B Earned Value Management (EVM) methodology and the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 3 methodology. These standards are requirements for a number of government contracts that AER has been awarded.
AER has the requisite experience, infrastructure and resources in engineering, information technology and environmental sciences to solve emerging weather and climate related problems of vital national importance in energy, environment, national security, and climate change.
Consulting Services
Since its founding in 1977, Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER) has successfully promoted the advancement of the scientific understanding of the environment and, working with businesses and policymakers, applied that knowledge toward the solving of real world problems. We are well known internationally for our work in assessing global environmental problems, including integration of remotely sensed data into numerical models, characterization of atmospheric radiation, stratospheric ozone depletion, and global warming. With our headquarters located in Lexington, MA, AER has close links to such institutions as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Nearly half of the AER staff hold advanced degrees, and their contributions to the atmospheric and planetary sciences are reflected in an impressive list of publications in leading scientific journals. In 1993, the American Meteorological Society selected AER to receive the Award for Outstanding Services to Meteorology by a Corporation for "commitment to scientific excellence, service to the public, and notable contributions to atmospheric science."
AER's capabilities include scientific studies to meet each client's needs in; research and development, environmental policy, instrument design and feasibility, and, financial and insurance risk management. In addition AER has capabilities and experience in: algorithm development, on-site technical support, providing satellite data, technical assessment, systems integration-aviation weather systems, project management, and consulting. AER has extensive experience in the creation and utilization of a number of simulation models including:
- Atmospheric models (including proprietary models)
- Hydrological models and processing
- All encompassing suite of systems assessment software tools
- Meteorological data processing and analysis systems
Commercial Contact
Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc. states that all commercial business practices have been fully disclosed and are current, accurate and complete as of the conclusion of negotiation.
Maria Caruso-Marini
Administrator
Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc.
131 Hartwell Avenue, Suite 200
Lexington, MA 02421
Phone: (781) 761-2288
Email: mcarusom@aer.com