Mark Spychala

I am currently an Observatory Manager for the US. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility. I lead operations for the Southern Great Plains (SGP) site in Lamont, OK and for the Bankhead National Forest (BNF) deployment of the Third ARM Mobile Facility (AMF3) in Northern Alabama. As observatory manager, I work to ensure safe and effective operations and support the scientific assets deployed by ARM at each site.

With over a decade of experience in atmospheric and environmental instrumentation deployed across various ecosystems from wetland streams to desert playas to snow swept alpine mountains, I specialize in the support of remote sensing and in situ measurement systems for long-term observation. I work with teams at Argonne and other labs and universities in areas such as data security and integrity, engineering and site design, and scientific collaboration and guidance. By coordinating field campaigns, regular instrument maintenance calibration, and continuous quality improvement program (CQIP) visits to each site, I work with our contractors to maintain high quality, reliable, and scientifically rigorous data for ARM.

My current focus is centered on the scalability of field operations and improving the reliability, safety, and scientific value of observation networks through improved design and deployment. I continue to work to advance the capabilities of ARM through cross-lab coordination and documentation to support the operations at BNF and SGP.