The Cooperative Remote Sensing Science and Technology Center (CREST) was established in October 2000, under NOAA’s EPP Program. CREST has had, and continues to seek extensive engagement with

NOAA scientists to develop research programs in accordance with NOAA strategies and of significance to NOAA in three major remote sensing thrust areas: Climate and Air Quality, Coastal Remote Sensing, and Precipitation and Water Resources. CREST is thus, involved in three out of four of NOAA’s Missions (Climate, Weather & Water, Ecosystems, and in support mission). CREST research thrusts also serves as platforms to afford access to state-of-the-art facilities, education and research opportunities to graduate students from participating Minority Serving Institutions (MSI).

Research results are published in peer-reviewed journals, and refereed proceedings; students and faculty members have the opportunity to present their work in various conferences, and NOAA venues.

CREST aims to help create a pool of future workforce by training and graduating students in NOAA related sciences. Three of CREST students have already joined the NOAA workforce.

CRESTs’ long-term partnership with Raytheon has enriched CREST’s students educational and research experience through participation in join collaboration projects (e.g. GOES-R scoping project funded by Raytheon at CCNY); also yielded in a few summer internships for CREST scholars; participation on CREST committee and advisory boards, and sponsorship of conferences.

RSIS, a new industrial CREST partner, is one of the largest minority owned Information Technology companies in the Nation. A formal MOU is being executed between RSIS CREST/CUNY management to officially bring them on the board.

CREST anticipates more summer internship opportunities from its industrial partners and job opportunities for CREST students in industries as also with other federal, local and state agencies.

CREST conducts monthly seminar series (at CUNY and all partner institutions), by inviting scholarly speakers, majority of these speakers are from NOAA offices, who speak on topics congruent to NOAA and CREST sciences. These seminars are largely attended by CREST and research community within each campuses, and immensely help the students on their research projects, and also help strengthen the research collaborations.