François Hébert joined the JCSDA in August 2021 as a Project Scientist on the JEDI model interfaces team and liaison to the NOAA EMC. His initial work will improve the modeling of satellite observation operators to help prepare JEDI for operational work at NOAA.

François is a computational physicist from a background in astronomy. He has studied sedimentation in the interior of white dwarf stars, explored shock-capturing algorithms for simulations of neutron stars and accretion discs around black holes, and used ray tracing to make visually accurate simulations of what two colliding black holes would look like to an (unfortunate?) nearby astronaut. He previously tested the waters of atmospheric science as an NCAR intern, and he’s thrilled to be returning to the field with the JCSDA.

François has rotated through hobbies ranging from classical piano to competitive ballroom dance. Most recently, he spends his free time cycling uphill in search of views of mountain layers fading into the hazy distance.