Dr. Yoram J. Kaufman was a distinguished Senior Fellow and Atmospheric Scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center who made seminal contributions to Earth observation science throughout his career. He earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in physics from the Technion - Israeli Institute of Technology in Israel and completed his Ph.D. in Physics at Tel-Aviv University in 1979. Joining NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in 1979 through an N.R.C. fellowship award, he established himself as a leading expert in atmospheric science over his 27-year career at the institution. During his tenure, he served in critical leadership roles including Project Scientist for the Earth Observing System's Terra mission from 1997 to 2001, overseeing the scientific aspects through its successful December 1999 launch.
Dr. Kaufman pioneered groundbreaking methodologies for remote sensing of atmospheric aerosols, particularly developing the first techniques to determine aerosol optical properties over land surfaces using MODIS satellite data, which represented a major advancement beyond previous ocean-focused approaches. His theoretical and experimental research on atmospheric radiative transfer significantly advanced understanding of aerosol interactions with clouds and radiation, their impact on climate systems, and their relationship to sources such as biomass burning. He conducted influential field experiments including the Smoke/Sulfate, Clouds and Radiation (SCAR) studies in both Brazil and the United States to characterize smoke aerosol properties and their effects. With over 150 refereed publications, his work illuminated the complex role of aerosols as double agents in the climate system, demonstrating their dual nature as both cooling and warming agents depending on composition and location.
Beyond his technical contributions, Dr. Kaufman served as program manager for NASA's Earth Observatory Website from its inception in April 1999 through January 2006, shaping one of the most influential public-facing Earth science platforms. Recognized as an AGU Fellow and AMS Fellow, he received prestigious honors including the NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement and the NASA/GSFC Nordberg Award for Earth Sciences. His untimely death on May 31, 2006, following a bicycle accident near the Goddard campus, prompted a global tribute with multiple satellite instruments observing a minute of data silence in his honor. Dr. Kaufman's seminal work continues to underpin modern climate models and aerosol monitoring systems, leaving an enduring legacy in atmospheric science that guides ongoing research into Earth's climate system and the complex role of atmospheric particles.
