The second edition of the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM) Mentorship program is starting. Registration is now over. If you applied to the capstone project you will be informed of acceptance status soon.

We have over 120 participants from 30 countries around the world, who will be learning from top subject matter experts on a wide array of precipitation-related topics. IMERG, DPR, ground validation, data discovery, and processing were some of the many topics discussed in the program. We expect over 25 capstone projects to be developed.

Quick links:

In 2023, the program continues to offer a unique training opportunity to users (novice to intermediate). We will also introduce exciting upgrades, for an even more interactive and competitive learning experience.

Before you continue, consider learning more about the GPM mission here.

For more information, please contact vasco.mantas /at/ dct.uc.pt or andrea.m.portier /at / nasa.gov

You can also use our contact form.

Now happening: Lecture series (March 1, 2023)
Next in the calendar: Notification of capstone acceptance (March 15, 2023)

Program description:

The second edition of the GPM Mentorship is designed to support new users from established and underrepresented user communities and provide a tailored hands-on learning experience. It will provide participants with an overview of state-of-the-art Precipitation Estimates and the first take on GPM applications to solve scientific and societal challenges. 

Unlike training programs centered around content consumption (e.g. video webinars and tutorials), the program provides both theoretical (lecture series) and practical (capstone project) training, supported by subject matter experts. The capstone project will contribute to consolidating learned skills and promote close interaction with top scientists in the GPM community.

Participants are expected to become local pivots for the dissemination of GPM products and best practices, laying the foundations of local GPM hubs.

Register!

This is a free, online learning program. Registration is now open.

Registrations for the capstone project are now closed. But you may still register for free to attend the lecture series (register here). The number of seats is limited.

Notifications of acceptance to the capstone project will be sent to applicants during the month of March.

Methods of selection: Registration will require the submission of a short CV (50% of the score) and a motivation letter (50% of the score). Preference will be given to graduate students and early-career scientists. Demonstrable ability and interest in applying the new skills to solve ‘real-world’ problems will be valued. Members of development and meteorological agencies are strongly encouraged to apply.   

50% of the seats will be assigned preferentially to participants from lower and middle-lower income countries (check list of countries here). 

Please notice that if you are from one of NASA’s designated countries (see list here), unfortunately you will not be able to participate in the capstone project portion of the program. However, you may participate in the lecture series.

Registration: January 10 – January 31, 2023

Program starts March 1, 2023

Program structure

Participants will be exposed to state-of-the-art topics on precipitation measurement missions, technologies, and applications during 5, 2-hour theoretical sessions (March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29). The sessions will be followed by the development of a project, supervised by a Subject Matter Expert (SME). The project will have a duration of 2 months and focus on topics suggested by the mentors and adjusted to the skills and interests of the students.

The outcome of the projects will be presented during a final session, which will take place on June 7, 2023 (tentative date).

Training Sessions

Participants will receive connection details (Zoom platform) via email. The agenda may change as needed. For information on the speakers, including affiliations, please scroll down to the list of mentors.

Important note: All times EST (New York time zone).

March 1 (09.00 am – 11.00 am EST): GPM Fundamentals and IMERG data discovery/access

Dr. Vasco Mantas/ Andrea Portier (Opening of the program)
Dr. Jackson Tan (GPM and IMERG V7)
Andrea Portier (GPM applications)
Dr. Andrey Savtchenko (Data discovery and access)
Dr. Chuntao Liu (Precip features database)
Q&A

March 8 (09.00 am – 11.00 am EST): Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR)

Dr. Vasco Mantas/ Andrea Portier (Opening of the lecture)
Dr. Courtney Schumacher
Dr. Aaron Funk
Dr. Mircea Grecu
Q&A

March 15 (09.00 am – 11.00 am EST): Precipitation classification and extreme events

Dr. Vasco Mantas/ Andrea Portier (Opening of the lecture)
Dr. Lisa Milani (Snow)
Dr. Becky Adams-Selin (Hail)
Dr. Mircea Grecu (Precipitation classification and extremes)
Dr. Andrey Savtchenko (extremes with IMERG)
Q&A

March 22 (09.30 am – 11.30 am EST): Bias corrections and uncertainty

Due to scheduling conflicts, this session starts and ends at a different time.

Dr. Vasco Mantas / Andrea Portier (Opening of the lecture)
Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed (NASAaccess Tool)
Dr. Vasco Mantas (use case)
Dr. Pierre Kirstetter / Dr. Yagmur Derin (ground validation and uncertainties)
Q&A

March 29 (09.00 am – 11.00 am EST): Part I: Precipitation retrievals using AI / Part II: Surface Modeling

Dr. Vasco Mantas / Andrea Portier (Opening of the lecture)
Dr. Ardeshir Ebtehaj (AI for precipitation retrievals)
Dr. Joe Turk, Dr. Sarah Ringerud and Dr. Yalei You (Precipitation and Soil Moisture)

Selected candidates will start the 2-month project under the supervision of a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on March 30.

Early June: Final session, for the presentation of project highlights and discussion of results.

List of trainers and mentors

Program leads:

Vasco Mantas (UC/CITEUC) (connect here)

Andrea Portier (NASA/SSAI) (Bio here)

Dr. Aaron Funk (Texas A&M University)

Dr. Andrey Savtchenko (NASA)

Dr. Ardeshir Ebtehaj (University of Minnesota)

Dr. Becky Adams-Selin (NASA)

Dr. Chuntao Liu (Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)

Dr. Courtney Schumacher (Texas A&M University)

Dorian Janney (NASA)

Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed (NASA)

Dr. Jackson Tan (NASA)

Dr. Joe Turk (NASA JPL)

Dr. Lisa Milani (NASA)

Dr. Mircea Grecu (NASA)

Dr. Pierre Kistetter (University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology / NOAA)

Dr. Sarah Ringerud (NASA)

Dr. Yagmur Derin (University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology)

Dr. Yalei You (UNCW)

Dr. Zhong Liu (George Mason University and NASA)

The list of speakers and mentors will continue to be updated.