About me
Prakash Gautam, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator & Director, Gautam Laboratory for Aerosol Optics and Microphysics
Principal Investigator & Director, Gautam Laboratory for Aerosol Optics and Microphysics
Dr. Gautam is a physicist and aerosol optical scientist whose work bridges fundamental light–particle interaction physics with advanced Earth-observing and defense-relevant sensing technologies. He leads the Gautam Laboratory for Aerosol Optics and Microphysics at the Desert Research Institute, where his research focuses on advancing the optical characterization of aerosols across a wide range of particle types and sizes to improve satellite retrievals, atmospheric correction models, radiative impact assessments, and defense-related sensing capabilities. Dr. Gautam is also a Graduate Faculty member in the Department of Physics and the Department of Atmospheric Science at the University of Nevada, Reno, USA.
His work supports NASA Earth science objectives by strengthening the laboratory foundations that underpin airborne and spaceborne remote sensing missions. Through advanced optical measurement strategies and modeling, he advances the understanding of dust, smoke, soot, bioaerosols, and complex atmospheric particulates across local to global scales. Dr. Gautam’s research also extends to aerospace and defense applications, where precise optical sensing of airborne particles is critical for environmental intelligence, situational awareness, and next-generation photonic monitoring systems
Beyond academia, he aims to translate optical sensing concepts into scalable, field-deployable technologies through collaborations with federal agencies and industry partners. His vision is to develop intelligent optical platforms that integrate ground-based, airborne, and space-based observations for environmental monitoring, climate science, and defense-related sensing applications.
Founder & CEO, AeroPhotonix LLC
Dr. Gautam is the Founder and CEO of AeroPhotonix LLC, a photonics-driven technology company focused on developing intelligent optical sensing platforms for environmental, aerospace, and defense applications. Under his leadership, AeroPhotonix aims to translate advanced laboratory-based light scattering and photonic measurement concepts into scalable, field-ready systems. The company’s mission is to transform aerosol and airborne particle monitoring through precision optics, integrated sensor architectures, and AI-enabled data analytics, positioning AeroPhotonix as a next-generation leader in atmospheric photonics and smart environmental sensing.
Contact: Prakash.Gautam@dri.edu or prakashg@unr.edu , Phone: (1)785-317-7470