Research
As someone who has been involved in atmospheric research since early in my undergraduate career, I understand the importance of experiencing scientific research to improve student learning. My personal research interests are in (1) observational atmospheric data collection with a focus on boundary layer processes, as well as (2) science education research. I am particularly interested in promoting undergraduate participation in data collection and analysis, and have already mentored three (UM) undergraduate students through individual research projects.
I have currently been examining the effectiveness of using inquiry teaching in an undergraduate classroom as well as ways to improve science connections for female students through a positive self-image. I am extremely passionate about researching ways to improve science education in the future, especially at the undergraduate level.
I have currently been examining the effectiveness of using inquiry teaching in an undergraduate classroom as well as ways to improve science connections for female students through a positive self-image. I am extremely passionate about researching ways to improve science education in the future, especially at the undergraduate level.
Ph.D. Research
My Ph.D. work involved studying observations of stratiform conditions in rainbands over land in South Florida during TS Fay, Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike (2008) using multiple wavelengths of radars. Topics investigated include profiles of wind components, low-level wind structure, and small-scale variability. A portion of my dissertation work involved researching the most effective way to use this scientific data in an undergraduate meteorology class.
Clockwise from top left (a): X-band Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR, in dB, top) and vertical velocity (in m s-1, bottom) for all of Band G1, from Hurricane Gustav. Stratiform periods G1a and G1b are outlined by the dashed lines. (b): MAPR SNR and vertical velocity for all of Band G1. Again stratiform periods G1a and G1b are outlined by the dashed lines. (c): WSR-88D image from KAMX at 5:31 UTC, corresponding to the start of Band G1b. Black marker shows CSTARS location and arrow shows rainband motion. (d): MAPR SNR and vertical velocity during Band G1b. It should be noted that SNR from the MAPR and X-band are uncalibrated and are shown to show overall rainband structure, not specific reflectivity values. Negative vertical velocities represent motion towards the radar and are due to a combination of rainfall rate and actual vertical motion.
During graduate school I also had the opportunity to participate in several observational research projects in addition to my degree research, including spending 5 weeks in Iquique, Chile collecting in-situ observations of the offshore stratocumulus cloud deck. On many of these research flights I served as the Science Director, determining the best flight path for data collection.
M.S. Research
My M.S. work included participating in a 3-week research cruise in the tropical Atlantic, characterizing tropical trade-wind conditions, and studying sub-cloud turbulence with lidar. This work was part of a collaborative effort during the Rain In Cumulus Over the Ocean (RICO) field campaign.
Undergraduate Research
As an undergraduate, I was fortunate to participate in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at SUNY Stonybrook for 8 weeks during the summer of 2003. My research during this time included studying air-sea fluxes collected from daily passenger ferry crossings of Long Island Sound as part of the Sound Science program.