A little about me
Hi there! Thanks for stopping by. I am an Atmospheric Scientist specializing in short-term atmospheric predictability, artificial intelligence, and earth science/atmospheric data visualization. Oh, and coffee.
Detail-oriented. Innovative. Analytical. Curious.
Hi there! Thanks for stopping by. I am an Atmospheric Scientist specializing in short-term atmospheric predictability, artificial intelligence, and earth science/atmospheric data visualization. Oh, and coffee.
At the University of North Carolina Asheville, I spearheaded a research project, utilizing advanced ANNs for superior weather forecasting in the WxChallenge, outperforming more than 80% of competitors, which culminated in a collaborative publication in the Journal of Weather and Forecasting.
Meteorology is multi-faceted and one of those facets is data visualization. When I have the time, I’m taking my time to learn and understand the best practices and continuing to rethink the way we, as meteorologists, use data.
My opportunities to storm chase are few and far between, but deeply cherished. Immersing myself in what has been my life's passion since childhood, I find calmness in the eye of the storm.
Ever since my initial fascination with meteorology, I've been deeply committed to expanding my knowledge of the atmosphere and the intricacies of forecasting. Whenever possible, I dedicate time to hone my forecasting abilities, explore emerging predictive techniques, and continuously refine my skills.
During my time at the University of North Carolina Asheville, I had the pleasure of leading a successful research project that deployed multiple individual Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) in the collegiate weather forecasting challenge known as "The WxChallenge." Remarkably, these ANNs significantly outperformed conventional operational guidance, surpassing more than 80% of the active WxChallenge competitors. Following the competition and graduating, my research advisor, colleague, and I shifted our focus towards publishing our findings, which were recently featured in the Journal of Weather and Forecasting.
In the moments away from work, my master's studies, and time with my fiancé, I diligently refine my skills in atmospheric and earth data visualization. Meteorology, with its multifaceted nature, particularly highlights the critical role of effective data visualization. As I navigate through available times, I engage in a continuous learning process, exploring and understanding best practices, and re-evaluating how we, as meteorologists, utilize data in our varied applications. My passion for data visualization stems from a genuine desire to equip meteorologists with essential tools to excel in their forecasting roles. It's my firm belief that meteorologists, especially those making critical, potentially life-saving decisions, should be provided with top-tier meteorological data to support their decisions. If this is not the case, we, as data curators, have inherently failed them, underscoring a pivotal area demanding our attention and improvement in the field.
As I've noted, opportunities for storm chasing are infrequent for me, yet they provide rich experiences worth reflecting upon, such as the event depicted in the image above from an encounter in northwestern Georgia. On that particular day in July of 2018, while at my grandparents' house and anticipating storms later in the evening, KHTX (Huntsville, Alabama's WSR-88D) was unfortunately down. Utilizing KFFC's radar that evening, I identified a developing cell just a few miles NW of our location. After stepping outside to capture footage of the approaching shelf cloud, I unexpectedly began filming just moments before an EF-0 tornado developed. The screenshot above was captured shortly after I recognized the magnitude of what I was documenting, punctuated by the tornado blowing a transformer in the Lafayette, GA area. This narrative is poignant for me for two reasons: it marks the first time I witnessed a tornado in person, and despite being a mere 1.5 miles from it, I experienced an unparalleled sense of calm amidst the storm's chaos.
From the moment I became captivated by meteorology at the young age of 11, my fascination with the art and science of forecasting became the driving force behind my decision to pursue a Master of Science in Applied Meteorology. I harbor a profound passion for atmospheric predictability, and I'm perpetually driven by a desire to explore the farthest extents of what's achievable within it. When constructing my forecasts, my meticulous nature comes to the forefront. I offer unparalleled attention to detail, ensuring that no nuance or subtlety is overlooked.