Rob Kursinski

Rob Kursinski is a distinguished atmospheric and space science expert with over four decades of experience spanning academia, government research, and private industry. He currently serves as Chief Scientist at PlanetiQ, where he leads scientific strategy and innovation in satellite-based atmospheric sensing and weather intelligence.

Prior to joining PlanetiQ in 2015, Kursinski was Chief Scientist at Moog/BroadReach Engineering, where he advanced remote sensing technologies and atmospheric measurement systems. His work builds on a long and impactful tenure at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he spent 20 years as a Research Scientist contributing to pioneering developments in GPS radio occultation and atmospheric science.

Kursinski also held a joint professorship at the University of Arizona in Atmospheric Sciences and Planetary Sciences, mentoring the next generation of scientists while conducting influential research from 2000 to 2011.

He holds a Ph.D. in Planetary Science from the California Institute of Technology, a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Music Theory. He also completed specialized studies in microprocessor hardware, software, and digital signal processing through UCLA Extension.

Known for bridging scientific research with real-world applications, Kursinski has played a key role in advancing satellite-based weather observation technologies that improve forecasting accuracy and global climate understanding.