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Michael McCarthy is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Washington, specializing in experimental physics with a focus on the dynamics of physical interactions in low-density gases and plasmas. His research interests are centered on the physical processes that occur within Earth's upper atmospheric regions and the near-Earth space environment. McCarthy's ongoing research efforts aim to understand the processes that remove high-energy electrons from the Van Allen radiation belts, which contain layers of energetic charged particles confined by Earth's magnetic field. These radiation belts pose significant challenges by exposing geosynchronous satellites to fluctuating electron doses, which can lead to aging and loss of functionality. McCarthy is particularly interested in the highly variable nature of radiation belt electron fluxes and the processes leading to their generation and loss, an area of significant scientific inquiry. He engages students in obtaining necessary measurements for these studies and aids in the design, construction, calibration, and deployment of instrumentation aboard balloons, rockets, and spacecraft platforms.
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