Research scientist Alfonso Delgado Bonal makes important discoveries about cloud movement patterns while developing within the NASA Goddard family.
The name: Alfonso Delgado Bonal
Formal job classification: Research Scientist
organization: Meteorological and Radiation Laboratory, Science Directorate (Code 613)
What do you do and what is most exciting about your role at Goddard?
As a theoretical physicist, I study data. DSCOVR Satellite to analyze diurnal variations of cloud properties. We are exploring diurnal (daylight) cloud patterns using a single sensor.
What is your educational background?
I have an undergraduate degree in theoretical physics from the University of Salamanca, Spain. I have a Masters in Astrophysics from the University of Valencia, Spain, and a second Masters in Space Technology from the University of Alcalá, Spain. In 2015, I received my doctorate in theoretical physics from the University of Salamanca.
From 2016-2018, I held a postdoctoral fellowship with the Spanish National Research Agency. From 2018-2020, I held a postdoctoral fellowship at Goddard’s Climate and Radiation Laboratory.
I also have an undergraduate degree in economics from the Spanish Open University and an undergraduate degree in law from the University of La Rioja, Spain. I am considering going back to school for a master sis to sit at the bar.
What fascinates you about clouds?
As a child, I remember watching the clouds move. I never questioned whether these clouds moved randomly or in a pattern. one day, Sasha Marshakmy supervisor and one of my mentors asked me to determine whether clouds move randomly or in a pattern.
Clouds have a profound effect on our planet. They regulate the Earth’s energy budget. Some clouds reflect radiation that cools our planet while other clouds trap radiation that warms our planet. Cloud behavior is one of the most important factors in regulating climate change.
What is the DSCOVR satellite data telling you?
DSCOVR is the only satellite capturing data that simultaneously shows the sunlit part of the Earth. The left part of the photo is early morning and the right part of the photo is near sunset. For the first time, we can see how clouds evolve throughout the day. Other satellites only capture either a fixed time or a small area of the planet.
We discovered that clouds don’t move randomly, they move in patterns. We measure these patterns in terms of cloud fraction (the amount of sky covered by clouds), cloud height, and cloud optical thickness. Typically, in the afternoon we have maximum cloud coverage over land and minimum cloud coverage over the ocean. Also, during the afternoon, clouds are usually low and thick. There is some predictability in the general pattern of cloud movement.
Coming from Spain, what was the most unusual cultural aspect you had to adjust to when you joined your lab?
When I came from Spain, my English was not good and I did not understand the cultural aspects. My first email was from headquarters thanking the entire NASA family. The idea of a work family was somewhat unfamiliar. To me, family meant blood relatives.
After a year or two, I realized that the members of my lab were truly my family. They really care about me as a person and I feel the same way about them. We have parties where we don’t talk about work, we talk about ourselves and our family. We have people from all over the world in our lab, and we all share the same feeling of being part of the NASA family. We have a family at home and NASA also has a family.
Whenever I see Sasha, he always asks about my family and myself before talking about work. Lazarus OriopoulosSasha’s supervisor does the same. They really inspire me.
As your mentors, how did Sasha and Lazarus welcome you?
I came here from a different world. I was doing theoretical physics in Spain but my NASA postdoc involved data analysis, which is what I’m doing now. Sasha also came from a different county and also had a strong mathematical background. I felt he understood me and the challenges I faced. He made me feel very welcome and explained some cultural aspects. He made sure I understood how the lab worked, introduced me to everyone, and invited my wife and I to his house for dinner. He truly made me feel part of the NASA family.
Lazaros strikes the perfect balance between being a respectful supervisor and acting like family. She always has an office-wide winter party where everyone brings homemade food from their country. We have people from many different countries in our lab. Lazarus always checks in with me to see how I’m doing. He has created a wonderful place where we all feel like family and do great work.
Lazarus and Sasha gave me a chance when they invited me to join their lab. I have no words to thank him for believing in me when I was just a post-doc and guiding me in my career and above all, for his incredible life advice. Now they both are family to me.
What advice have your mentors given you?
Both Sasha and Lazarus taught me creativity. They both always question. Even if a question seems impossible to answer at first, eventually you will develop the tools to answer the questions. It was Sasha who asked me if clouds behave randomly or move in patterns. It has taken me a few years to answer his question and now we are making unexpected and important discoveries about clouds.
What do you do for fun?
Now that I have two young children, I enjoy spending as much time as possible with my wife and children. My wife is a biologist and I have learned a lot from her.
What book are you reading right now?
I like to read. I’m re-reading one of my favorites, “The Iliad.” My favorite book is “The Little Prince”. I read my kids a bedtime story every night and now that they’re a little older, sometimes they read me a story.
What is your biggest dream?
To see that my children have a great life and be happy.
What is your motto?
“If you’re going to try, go all the way.” – Charles Bukowski
by the Elizabeth M. Jarrell
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight CenterGreenbelt, Md.
Conversations with Goddard Q&A is a collection of profiles that highlight the breadth and depth of the talented and diverse workforce at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Dialogues have been published on average twice a month since May 2011. Read previous editions on it Goddard’s “Our People” web page.