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Shao Receives Distinguished Research Scientist Prize

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Two men pose happily holding an award
Xi Shao (on the left) receiving his award from CMNS Dean Amitabh Varshney. Photo credit: Mark Sherwood (UMD/CMNS)

The University of Maryland College of Computer, Mathematical & Natural Sciences (CMNS) held its College Award Ceremony on 1 May 2026. Among the award recipients was ESSIC/CISESS Scientist Xi Shao, honored with the Distinguished Research Scientist Prize for 2026. Shao is recognized for his more than 25 years of interdisciplinary research experience spanning space physics, imaging radiometer calibration and validation, and Global Navigation Satellite System radio occultation algorithms.

This article was put together based on scientist input.

Picture of Maureen Cribb

Maureen Cribb

Maureen Cribb has been with ESSIC since 2001, first as a faculty specialist then as a senior faculty specialist, working in Prof. Zhanqing Li’s group. She is also a member of the CISESS Coordinator team. Maureen received a B.Sc. in Applied Mathematics from Concordia University (Montréal, Canada) and a Diploma in Meteorology from Dalhousie University (Halifax, Canada). After a stint as a data analyst at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography near Halifax, she earned an M.Sc. in Atmospheric Science from Dalhousie, investigating the influence of the three-dimensional structure of clouds on the atmospheric absorption of solar radiation under the supervision of Prof. Qiang Fu. She lives, works, and plays in College Park, i.e., biking around on the hiker/biker trails, exploring the local food scene, and watching footie at sports restaurants in the area.

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