Andrew Pepper
Atmospheric Physicist And Sounding Rocketeer
Summary
Ph.D. (Defended) with research projects historically funded by the NSF, NASA, and ONR. Adept at utilizing computer interfaces for data evaluation purposes, contributing scientist to two sounding Rocket Campaigns, and Incoherent Scatter Radar enthusiast.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant
Clemson University
8 2019 - Current
- Researcher with participation in two NSF/NASA funded Sounding Rocket Campaigns (INCAA 2022 & VortEx 2023). Assimilating incoherent scatter radar data with in-situ measurements.
- Performed statistical, qualitative, and quantitative analysis. Authored and co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles, technical reports, and conference presentations.
- Recorded data and maintained source documentation following good documentation and storage practices for 15+ years of data.
Intern
Naval Research Laboratory
06.2024 - 09.2024
- Led validation of a novel ionospheric data assimilation model, using massive incoherent scatter radar (ISR) dataset.
- Demonstrated up to 75% improvement in key ionospheric parameters (NmF2, hmF2) over the background model.
- Compared ANCHOR’s performance to existing models (e.g., PyIRI, PyIRTAM) to assess accuracy and refine data assimilation techniques for ionospheric nowcasting.
Representative
NSF/CEDAR Science Steering Committee
06.2022 - 06.2024
- Discussed program information with science leadership committee for yearly meeting of 400 researchers as well as planning student centered activities.
- Facilitated student engagement by providing accurate and timely information during the week. Helped organize workshops centered around CEDAR science.
Education
Ph.D. - Atmospheric & Ionospheric Physics
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 05.2019 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Physics, Astronomy
University of Missouri
Kansas City, MO 08.2016 - 06.2019
Bachelor of Science - Cellular Biology
University of Missouri - Kansas City
Kansas City, MO 09.2014 - 05.2016
Skills
Multitasking, critical thinking, and problem solving
Statistical data analysis and numerical recipes
Python, MATLAB, LaTex, Autodesk
Agile framework understanding
Public speaking and collaboration in a team enviroment
High performance computing and system building
Systems integration and testing
Affiliations
- ISSI Workshop Contributor (2025)
- CEDAR Science Steering Committee (Student Representative)
- American Geophysical Union and Americal Physical Society
- ROSES Proposal Review Panel Member
- Heliophysics Guest Investigator Panel Member
Selected Publications
- Pepper, A. M., Forsythe, V., McDonald, S. E., & Zawdie, K. A. (2024). Validation of ANCHOR Ionospheric Data Assimilation Model Using Incoherent Scatter Radars. https://doi.org/10.22541/essoar.172710673.31295431/v1
- Kaeppler, S. R., Pepper, A. M., Larsen, M. F., Lehmacher, G. A., et al., (2023, December 12). Sounding rocket observations of ion-neutral coupling in the e-region. AGU. https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm23/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/1391621
- Lehmacher, G. A., Larsen, M. F., Pepper, A.M., Chau, J. L., et al., (2023, December 14). Observation of Mesoscale dynamics and instabilities in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere using multiple tracer releases during the VortEX campaign. AGU - AGU23. https:// agu.confex.com/agu/fm23/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/1314715
- Kaeppler, S. R., Markowski, D. G., Pepper, A. M., Troyer, R., Jaynes, A. N., Varney, R. H., & Hampton, D. (2023). Data-driven empirical conductance relations during auroral precipitation using incoherent scatter radar and all sky imagers. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 128, e2023JA031764. https:// doi.org/10.1029/2023JA031764
Timeline
Intern
Naval Research Laboratory
06.2024 - 09.2024
Representative
NSF/CEDAR Science Steering Committee
06.2022 - 06.2024
Ph.D. - Atmospheric & Ionospheric Physics
Clemson University
05.2019 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Physics, Astronomy
University of Missouri
08.2016 - 06.2019
Bachelor of Science - Cellular Biology
University of Missouri - Kansas City
09.2014 - 05.2016
Graduate Research Assistant
Clemson University
8 2019 - Current