1st E-mail | 2nd Phone
M-F 8 am to 5 pm
Howdy, I'm Mark Mesarch a Senior Web\Database Specialist for the School of Natural Resources.
I've worked for the university since 1989 in mostly the agricultural meteorology research area, as well as, earth science education, atmospheric deposition measurements, database management/design and website management/design.
The major aspect of the agricultural meteorology research includes canopy reflectance, bidirectional reflectance and leaf optical properties. These are all related to remote sensing measurements. Our research sites have included areas close to my office on East Campus to the ARDC research site near Ithaca, NE to the Konza Prairie near Manhattan, KS to northern Oklahoma to north of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada to Kursk, Russia. Leaf optical refers to how light interacts with leaves and other plant parts. Light can either be reflected, transmitted or absorbed. The amount of light that is absorbed relates to the plants ability to photosynthesis. We cannot measure how much light is absorbed so we measure the amount that is reflected and transmitted; then we can calculate the amount that is absorbed. Our leaf optical measurements have ranged from corn and soybean leaves to pine needles. Our most recent research is part of the Carbon Sequestration Program (CSP) which looks at using typical farm management practices as a way of increasing carbon stored in the plants and soil. These "sinks" of carbon may help reduce global warming caused by the greenhouse effect.
I also have been the site supervisor for the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) that monitors precipitation chemistry. Most people are familiar with the term "acid rain." Our NADP site is one of over 250 sites across the US that collects weekly precipitation samples every Tuesday morning.
I enjoy working for the School because I have been allowed to use my talents and move in different directions as my learning and research continues.
Outside of my job at the university, I am an avid bicycler. In 2022, I completed my 15th trip of the Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska (BRAN) since 1984. I am also an avid supporter of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Women's Volleyball Team. I am a guest lighting designer at the Lincoln Community Playhouse and occasionally "walk the boards" as an actor, too. In the April 2013 I won the Best Lighting Design Award for the Region V Festival of the Association of Community Theaters in Fargo ND for my work with LCP production of "Doubt." I sing with the Lincoln Choral Artists.
Currently this page only displays grants that were awarded on 1/1/ 2009 to the present. If a grant was awarded prior to 1/1/ 2009 and is still active, it will not be displayed on this page.