Dr. OJ Botai

• BSc (Eds): Mathematics & Physics, Moi University-Kenya (1998)
• MSc (Engineering): Chalmers University-Sweden (April, 2005)
• MSc (Astrophysics): Rhodes University (Dec., 2005)
• PhD: University of Pretoria (2011)
  

• Short course: Introduction to remote sensing
  
• GMA 220: Remote Sensing
• GMA 320: Remote Sensing
• GMA 705: Advanced Remote Sensing
  

• Hons
  • Using radiosonde and radio occultation data for Mid-latitude tropopause structure & variability studies (completed 2012)
    
  • Urban growth & microclimate research based on remote sensing data (completed 2011)
    
  • Migration patterns of birds and their effect on power supply lines
• Masters
  • Using GPS data to study intercontinental velocities: in support of the African Reference Frame (AFREF)
  • Studying the distribution of expansive soils by use of remote sensing techniques
  • Application of remote sensing and in-situ measurements to study grazing resources
  • Lightening polarity & cloud microphysical properties
    

• Self-similar (Long-range & short-range dependence) behaviour in geodetic data
• Nonlinear processes by use of space geodetic data
• Cosmoclimatology
  
• Establishment of a geodetic VLBI analysis centre
• Atmosphere-Earth & Ocean coupling based on the combined atmosphere-Ocean angular momentum
• Earth Rotation parameters as derived from space geodetic techniques
• Space weather/Ionosphere research
• Monitoring the stability of VLBI reference radio sources
• Site dependent tropospheric modelling for SLR applications

1. Yigiletu, M. T., V. Sivakumar, J. O. Botai, and G. Mengistu (2011), Aerosol climatology over South Africa based on 10 years of Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) Data, J. Geophys. Res., doi:10.1029/2011JD016023.
2. Botai O. J., W. L. Combrinck and V. Sivakumar, (2011). Inferences of α-stable distribution in long-range dependent geodetic data, South African Journal of Geology, 114.3-4: 541-548.
3. Mahlangu K. A. and O. J. Botai (2011). Analysis of mid-latitude tropopause variability from radiosonde and radio occultation data, 27th SASAS conference, 22-23, Sept., 2011.
4. Lee-Anne S., O. J. Botai, E. De Coning, and V. Sivakumar, (2011). Comparing lightening polarity and microphysical properties over regions of high ground flash density in south Africa, 27th SASAS conference, 22-23, Sept., 2011.
5. Tesfaye M., Tsidu G. M., V. Sivakumar and O. J. Botai, (2011). Effective single scattering albedo estimation using regional climate model, 27th SASAS conference, 22-23, Sept., 2011.
6. Botai O. J., W. L. Combrinck and V. Sivakumar, H. Schuh and J. Boehm, (2010). Extracting independent local oscillatory geophysical signals by geodetic tropospheric delay, In: IVS 2010 General meeting proceedings, D. Behrend and K. D. Baver (eds). ISBN. NASA/CP-2010-215864.
7. Botai O. J., V. Sivakumar , C. J. de W. Rautenbach, and W. L. Combrinck, (2010). Multiscale organisation of water vapour in the low- and mid- tropical Africa, Advances in Geosciences, 16: 241-251.
8. Sivakumar V., D. Tefera, G. Mengistu and O. J. Botai, (2010). Mean ozone and water vapor height profiles for southern hemisphere region using Radiosonde/Ozonesonde and HALOE satellite data, Advances in Geosciences, 16: 263-270.
9. Botai O. J., W. L. Combrinck and V. Sivakumar, (2009). Assessing the degree of synchronisation between geophysical records using the method of instantaneous phase differences, In 11^th SAGA biennial technical meeting and exhibition. D. Vogt and S. Fourie (eds). ISBN. 978-0-620-44602-0: 588-593.
10. Sivakumar V., O. J. Botai, D. Moema, A. Sharma, C. Bollig and C.J. de W. Rautenbach, (2009). CSIR-NLC mobile LIDAR for atmosphere remote sensing, IEEE, Intern. geosc. Remote sens. symposium, Cape Town. ISBN. 978-1-4244-3394-0.
11. Botai O. J., W. L. Combrinck and C.J. de W. Rautenbach, (2008). Nonstationary tropospheric processes in geodetic precipitable water vapour time series, Michael G. Sideris (ed). Observing our Changing Earth, International Association of Geodesy Symposia, Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 133: 625-630, doi:. 10.1007/978-3-540-85426-5.
    
    

1. 6^th IVS General Meeting, 7^th -13^th, 2010, Hobart, TAS, Australia
   
2. 7^th Annual Inkaba yeAfrca workshop, Potsdam, 1^st-5^th Nov, 2010, Germany
   
3. First combined  Matjiesfontein workshop, 28^th Mar-  1^st Apr 2011
   
4. 8^th Annual Inkaba yeAfrica workshop@Geosynthesis, 28^th Aug- 2^nd Sept, 2011
5. International Astronautical congress, 3-7th October, Cape Town
   
6. Statistical downscaling training, Tokyo University, Japan, 13-23, October 2011
7. CSIR DPSS Space Photonics group, 5th Nov., 2011