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Gerry's first project in our group was the development of a continental-scale 3-dimensional model of tropospheric ozone. This was a pioneering project. Never before had we attempted simulations involving several chemically interacting tracers. Gerry led the development of the code and was an essential force behind the success of the model. Her work laid the foundation for all of our subsequent global 3-D model simulations of complex tropospheric chemistry, in which she again played a key role. Gerry also became heavily involved in applications of the global 3-D model to aerosols and sulfur chemistry. At the same time, she contributed to the group's aircraft data analysis program by compiling the merged data bases of observations from aircraft missions and providing critical quality checks on the data. Her merged data products have now been used by many investigators outside Harvard.
Gerry was the institutional memory of our group for global 3-D modeling of atmospheric chemistry. She maintained the standard version of the model and ensured that all new developments were properly implemented in the standard code library. Considering how easy it is for different model versions to diverge, and how hard it is to then achieve reconvergence, Gerry's success in maintaining an up-to-date standard code was magnificent. Gerry standardized, modularized, and documented the different components of the code, facilitating tremendously transfers between users within the group. She served as liaison in supplying our codes to the outside world, in particular as part of Harvard's contributions to the Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) of the NASA Subsonic Aircraft Assessment (SASS).
Gerry was an invaluable resource for new students and postdocs in the group. She welcomed them upon arrival and saw to it that their hardware and software needs were met. She guided them through the intricacies of their new computing environment. She provided them with the codes they needed and taught them how to use them. She cheerfully helped them in fixing bugs and other problems. Her technical expertise, her knowledge of the codes and of terminal hardware/software, and her consistently helpful demeanor made the daunting experience of starting to work with a 3-D model a lot more smoother for many people in the group.
Gerry also designed our first group web page! The present version is still heavily imprinted with her influence. To mention a detail, the little Martian that invites you to click on "Group members" from the main page was her choice for a non-gender-specific (and a little out to space) member.
Over the past months, Gerry was excited at the prospect of starting a 3-D modeling project to investigate the effect of rising Asian emissions on air pollution in the United States. This was the kind of complex problem with strong social implications that was of so great interest to her. She was very sad that she could not carry out the project because of her frail health. We will complete it and dedicate it to her. Gerry will be sorely missed by all of us.
Daniel J. Jacob
15 December 1998
Gerry's publications in the Atmospheric Chemistry Modeling Group:
On PAD 39-B
Atmospheric Chemistry Modeling Group Home Page