Anne R. Douglass

Douglass graduated with a B.A.in physics from Trinity, now Trinity Washington University, in 1971.[1] She then earned a M.S. in physics from the University of Minnesota (1975), where she was the only woman in her cohort.[1] She earned a Ph.D. in physics in 1980 from Iowa State University.[2] In 1981, she joined the staff at National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Goddard Space Flight Center.[1] In 2014, Douglass described science as her passion with a note that "You have to love what you do."[3][4] She began a phased retirement from NASA in 2017.[5]

Douglass used satellite measurements from NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) platform to define the mode of production for reaction chlorine species,[6] to globally map these ozone-depleting chlorine compounds,[7][8] and to model differences in the formation of atmospheric chlorine reservoirs between the northern and southern hemispheres.[9] Douglass is the co-lead for NASA Goddard Earth Observing System Chemistry Climate Model (GEOSCCM)[5][10] which enables modeling of atmospheric temperatures and ozone hole. Douglass has modeled the annual cycle and transport of ozone in the atmosphere.[11][12] Her model on the movement of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the atmosphere[13] has implications for what would have happened to the ozone layer in the absence of international agreements to reduce atmospheric CFCs levels.[14]

Douglass was the co-lead of the validation program for NASA's Aura satellite[15] which is designed to collect data on ozone, climate, and air quality.[16] In 2010, Douglass took over the project scientist position.[17] The ozone data collected by the Aura satellites plays a key role in ozone assessments which guides Douglass's participation in the Montreal Protocol.[1][18] In 2018, Douglass's research shows decreases in ozone depletion above Antarctica[19] which indicates an improvement in the ozone hole[20][21] that may fully heal by 2070.[22][23][24]

• Fellow, American Meteorological Society (1998)[25]
• Fellow, American Geophysical Union (2007)[26]
• Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal, NASA (2009)[27]
• Outstanding Leadership Medal, NASA (2012)[27]
• William Nordberg Memorial Award for Earth Science, Goddard Space Flight Center's highest award in the Earth Sciences (2013)[27]

Douglass has five children, enjoys yoga and tap dancing,[17] and was a Girl Scout leader while her children were young.[1] Douglass discusses the challenges of balancing a career and children in her contribution to Motherhood: The Elephant in the Laboratory.[28]