Meteorology and Me


Why am I interested in meteorology?

I have had an interest in meteorology ever since I was around age 12. I would watch The Weather Channel (R) all day whenever a hurricane or tornado would occur. I would even watch the NASA Channel to try to get a glimpse of what a hurricane would look like viewing it from space. From that point on my interest in meteorology began to grow and has formed into what it is today. Now I am a student at Penn State pursuing my bachelor's degree in meteorology.

Have I ever been involved with meteorological research?
My first research experience at Penn State was through the MURE (Minority Undergraduate Research Experience) program. In it for two semesters I researched weather data for a special segment on a local Penn State weather show under the supervision of Dr. Jon Nese and Pennsylvania State Climatologist Paul Knight.

The my second research experience occurred while participating in SROP (Summer Research Opportunities Program) at Penn State and involved studying the formation of ground level ozone. This work was completed under Dr. William Brune, head of Penn State’s meteorology department.

My third and latest research experience took place while participating in the SOARS (Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Sciences) program at NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) in Boulder, CO. This research involved studying the frequency of extreme events, particular flooding events under climate change.

I have recently gained an interest with the connect between business and meteorology. I would love to get the opportunity to research this connection and possibly pursue a career in this direction.

What is my most memorable weather event?

My most memorable weather event occurred during the Winter of 1999-2000. During that winter a huge snow storm hit the city of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. These areas received up to 18 inches of snow. My grandfather and I were trapped inside by all the snow and we could not go anywhere until the plowman came. It was the most snow that Chicago has received since 1967, when Chicago received 23 inches of snow in a 29-hour period.

What things have I done to get involved with meteorology?

One of the first ways I got involved with meteorology was by visiting a professional meteorologist, Phil Schwartz. Phil Schwartz is a television meteorologist for the ABC 7 News station in Chicago. He provided me with insight on how television meteorology works. I have also met other professional meteorologist such as Expert Senior Meteorologists for Accuweather Kenneth Reeves, David Dombeck, and Daniel Kottlowski.

Another way I got involved with meteorology was by joining the Penn State Campus Weather Service . This is a voluntary organization that develops forecasts for the entire state of Pennsylvania. I am a part of the radio division with the CWS where other and myself develop weather forecasts and broadcast them live over the radio.

I have also got involved with meteorological research. During the summer of 2006 I participated in SROP. The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) was program designed to allow college students to work with professors around the Penn State Campus and gain valuable research experience. While in the program I researched the formation of ground-level ozone, which is hazardous to humans, plants, and other vegetation. I helped build an atmospheric chamber to perform experiments that could give information to how ground-level ozone forms.

I have also volunteered with a local Penn State weather show called Weather World. I have been a volunteer for the show since my sophomore year. During the spring of 2007 I will be the director of the show.