Miller is the director of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere. His research focuses on satellite-based remote sensing of the Earth and atmosphere system.

Miller uses a wide assortment of sensor technologies, including active/passive systems spanning the optical to microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. His mineral dust detection algorithms for MODIS and SeaWiFS, developed during his 7-year stint at the Naval Research Laboratory, were among the first to exploit blue-band absorption properties.

In 2005, Miller published the first satellite detection of a widespread bioluminescence phenomenon using the DSMP Operational Linescan System. In 2021, he was the lead author on a groundbreaking paper confirming the existence of legendary “milky seas,” an elusive and rare display of bioluminescence in the Earth oceans, finally captured through CIRA observations from the Day/Night Band sensor and surface measurements.

Miller earned his B.Sc. in electrical and computer engineering from the University of California, San Diego. He then studied Atmospheric Science at Colorado State, earning his M.S. and Ph.D.