Dr. Noone has developed techniques to account for isotopic fractionation in land and atmosphere components of earth system models, established the use of satellite observations of isotope ratios to describe water cycles, and developed studies that employ in situ spectroscopic measurements of isotope ratios at field sites around the world. He supports the community though coordination of scientific workshops, providing guest lectures at summer schools and public outreach events, and working with middle-schools to enhance science and climate science education.
He is a member of several NASA science teams including earth observing spacecraft and aircraft missions designed to measure the composition of the atmosphere. Professor Noone’s research takes him and his students around the world to investigate climate change: from the rainstorms lush forests of New Guinea, equatorial oases of the Galapagos, desert mountain tops in Hawaii and the endless ice fields of Greenland. He delights in teaching weather and climate in the classroom, and on his field classes observing climate.
In 2011 he was recognized by the Obama administration with a Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, which is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers. The citation was: “for innovative use of stable isotope tracers and modeling efforts directed towards an integrated understanding of the cycling of water and carbon dioxide through the atmosphere, and for actively engaging students in cutting-edge research at middle schools”
In 2019 he was awarded the Ascent Award in Atmospheric Science from the American Geophysical Union, which recognizes “exceptional mid-career scientists in the atmospheric and climate sciences fields, who demonstrate excellence in research and leadership.”
He was appointed the Buckley-Glavish Professor of Climate Physics at University of Auckland in 2020.