Snow and ice albedo feedbacks are critical regulators of the global energy budget. Dr. Khan's research characterizes the radiative forcing of Light-Absorbing Particles (LAPs)—including black carbon, mineral dust, and glacial microbiota. By reducing surface albedo, these impurities enhance the absorption of shortwave solar radiation and transfer thermal energy to the snowpack, thereby accelerating melt. Her research team utilizes a multi-scale remote sensing framework to distinguish these particles via their unique spectral signatures, synthesizing in-situ biogeochemical data with multi- and hyperspectral observations from Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and satellites. This high-resolution UAS data serves to bridge the scale gap between discrete ground measurements and coarse satellite footprints, enabling the development of robust retrieval algorithms needed to parameterize cryospheric darkening in Earth System Models. She currently leads multiple initiatives advancing this work, including an NSF CAREER Award quantifying the spatiotemporal distribution of Antarctic snow algae and a NASA PACE-Science award leveraging next-generation hyperspectral satellite data to map biologically driven albedo reduction across the Greenland Ice Sheet. Complementing this biological focus, her team also characterizes the deposition of smoke-derived black carbon resulting from intensifying high-latitude wildfires.
keywords
Spectral geophysics. surface radiative forcing, uncrewed aerial systems, drone remote sensing, sensing in extreme environments, snow science, Antarctic sciences, alpine and high mountain studies
ASEN 6519 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2026
Reflects upon specialized aspects of aerospace engineering sciences. Course content is indicated in the online Schedule Planner. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. Recommended prerequisite: varies.
GEEN 1400 - Engineering Projects
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2025
First-year students solve real-world engineering design problems in interdisciplinary teams. Design projects vary by section. Curriculum focuses on iterative design process, teamwork and team dynamics, supporting design with testing and analysis, and technical writing. Completed projects are exhibited at an end-of-semester design expo. Students responsible for contributing towards their design project budget (approximately $75). Degree credit not granted for this course and ASTR 2500, ASEN 1400, ASEN 1403 and ECEN 1400.
