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PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS CURRENT STUDENTS

Lindsay Coleman

Undergraduate Program Advisor

Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering

[email protected]

(734) 764-3282

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UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF THE ATMOSPHERE TO PREDICT THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE FUTURE IN WEATHER.

Climate and Meteorology (CLaSP)

cli·mate and me·te·o·ro·lo·gy

The study of the atmosphere, including its physical and chemical processes and characteristics.

Also Known As: Meteorologist, Space Engineer, Atmospheric Chemist, Weather Analyst, Planetary Scientist, Risk Management Specialist, Atmospheric Scientist, Climatologist, +10,000 more

A female student laughs as she bends away from a blue and green lit wall map she is writing on.

WHY CLaSP AT MICHIGAN?

Big Research: Students work with world-renowned faculty on projects ranging from climate modeling, weather forecasting tools, data analysis, and much more!

Small Community: The relatively small class size means that students get a lot of hands-on experience in the classroom and form close connections to their peers and faculty.

Diverse Environment: Our students, faculty, and staff come from all over the world. We strive for inclusivity and value all individuals, perspectives, contributions, and ideas.

 

A student shines a flashlight on a glass bowl with a pink slimy substance at the bottom.

What do Climate and Meteorology Engineers do?

We observe weather patterns and figure out what’s to come on all kinds of scales: from local to national to global weather and from the weather of today and tomorrow to the climate of the next tens and hundreds of years. We gather data to understand, to inform the public, and to influence national science policies to combat climate change.

ACADEMIC CONCENTRATIONS

  • Climate Science and Impacts Engineering

    Be a pioneer in this ever-changing world by focusing on climate science and data analytics. We will prepare you to represent climate change to professionals in many varying areas of expertise, from consulting in companies, working in industry, local governments and science policy, or in higher education.

    Classes: Climate Physics, Statistics, Climate/Climate Change, Energy/Sustainability

  • Meteorology

    This isn’t your daily weather report- this concentration isn’t just about presenting the data, it’s about predicting weather far before it ever happens. Develop computing skills to do weather prediction modeling and analysis and prepare for an ever-dynamic and ever-fluid field in weather forecasting.

    Classes: Clouds & Precipitation, Remote Sensing, Boundary Layer Meteorology, Meteorological Analysis

  • Concentrations for Climate and Meteorology majors are mandatory to declare and will be indicated on your transcript.

Concentrations for Climate and Meteorology majors are mandatory to declare and will be indicated on your transcript.

Explore Minors

ENGINEERING MINORS OTHER MINORS
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Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Studies Program (SUGS)

Complete your bachelor’s and master’s Degrees in only five years with SUGS by taking some graduate-level classes during your undergraduate years, so you can save yourself one semester and complete the masters with only two additional semesters.

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Sample Course List

First-Year

First-Year

  • Fall Semester
    • CoE Core Calculus I (Math 115)
    • CoE Core Engineering 100
    • CoE Core Chemistry (125/126 and 130 or 210 and 211)
    • Elective Intellectual Breadth
  • Winter Semester
    • CoE Core Calculus II (Math 116)
    • CoE Core Engineering 101
    • CoE Core Physics (140 and 141)
    • Elective Intellectual Breadth

Sophomore Year

Sophomore Year

  • Fall Semester
    • CoE Core Calculus III (Math 215)
    • CoE Core Physics (240 and 241)
    • Major Requirement Earth and Space System Evolution (CLIMATE 320)
    • Elective Intellectual Breadth
  • Winter Semester
    • CoE Core Differential Equations (Math 216)
    • Major Requirement Earth System Analysis (CLIMATE 323)
    • Major Requirement Earth and Space System Dynamics (CLIMATE 321)
    • Elective Intellectual Breadth

Junior Year

Junior Year

  • Fall Semester
    • Major Requirement Radiative Transfer (CLIMATE 380)
    • Major Requirement Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (CLIMATE 401)
    • Major Requirement Instrumentation for Atmospheric & Space Sciences (CLIMATE 324)
    • Major Requirement Concentration Course
    • Elective General Elective
  • Winter Semester
    • Major Requirement Atmospheric Thermodynamics (CLIMATE 350)
    • Major Requirement Weather Systems (CLIMATE 414)
    • Major Requirement Data Analysis & Visualization (CLIMATE 423)
    • Elective Technical Elective

Senior Year

Senior Year

  • Fall Semester
    • Major Requirement Earth System Modeling (CLIMATE 410)
    • Major Requirement Concentration Course
    • Elective Technical Elective
    • Elective General Elective
  • Winter Semester
    • Major Requirement Capstone Design (CLIMATE 455)
    • Major Requirement Concetration Course
    • Major Requirement Concetration Course
    • Elective Technical Elective

Individualized schedules will be made by students in consultation with an advisor who will tailor their classes to better fit the student's needs.

EDITABLE SAMPLE SCHEDULE ENGINEERING COURSE LIST U-M COURSE GUIDE

Practice Your Purpose

Apply the skills you are learning in class to the real world.

Student Engagement

Climate Blue Logo
Climate Blue
A black and white historic photo of men in heavy coats gathered at the center of a sailboat.
Greenland Expedition
5 students gather in heavy winds to pose as a tornado forms in the background
Tornado Camp

Professional Development

Students in the Michigan Geophysical Union hold award certificates
Michigan Geophysical Union
GUStO Logo
GUStO - CLaSP Graduate and Undergraduate Student Organization
AMS Local Chapter Logo
American Meteorological Society
Students gather and smile for a photo in the fall with leaves all over the ground.
Congress of Parties - United Nations Climate Change Conference

Research

Gretchen Keppel-Aleks headshot
Gretchen Keppel-Aleks & Allison Steiner: Atmospheric Biosphere Interactions
READ MORE
Joyce E Penner headshot
Joyce Penner & Perry Samson: Atmospheric Chemistry, Aerosols, & Air Quality
READ MORE
Christiane Jablonowski headshot
Christiane Jablonowski & Richard Rood: Atmospheric Dynamics
READ MORE
Eric A. Kort headshot
Eric Kort & Mark Flanner: Climate, Climate Modeling, & Climate Change
READ MORE
Ángel F. Adames-Corraliza headshot
Ángel Adames-Corraliza: Clouds & Precipitation
READ MORE
Quentin F. Stout headshot
Quentin Stout: Numerical Methods & Scientific Computing
READ MORE
Jeremy N. Bassis headshot
Jeremy Bassis & Ashley Payne: Paleoclimate
READ MORE
Xianglei Huang headshot
Xianglei Huang & Chris Ruf: Radiative Transfer, Remote Sensing & Instrumentation
READ MORE
Igor Sokolov headshot
Igor Sokolov: Statistical Methods & Data Assimilation
READ MORE

Alumni Biographies

Each of these alumni are real people who were once in your shoes, deciding a major. Explore their path and how a Michigan education set their life in motion.

  • Chris Bedford headshot
    • Christopher Bedford
    • Sailing Weather Service, LLC
  • David Wright headshot
    • David Wright
    • University of Michigan
  • Richard Wagenmaker headshot
    • Richard Wagenmaker
    • National Weather Service
  • Emily Gargulinski headshot
    • Emily Gargulinski
    • National Institute of Aerospace
  • Emily Upton headshot
    • Emily Upton
    • Modern Mill Solar
  • Kevin Reed headshot
    • Kevin Reed
    • Stony Brook University
  • Laura Briley headshot
    • Laura Briley
    • Great Lakes Integrated Sciences + Assessments (GLISA)
  • Lisa Bucci headshot
    • Lisa Bucci
    • National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Morgan Gorris headshot
    • Morgan Gorris
    • University of California, Irvine
  • Trent Frey headshot
    • Trent Frey
    • National Weather Service
Chris Bedford headshot

    Christopher Bedford

    Sailing Weather Service, LLC

David Wright headshot

    David Wright

    University of Michigan

Richard Wagenmaker headshot

    Richard Wagenmaker

    National Weather Service

Emily Gargulinski headshot

    Emily Gargulinski

    National Institute of Aerospace

Emily Upton headshot

    Emily Upton

    Modern Mill Solar

Kevin Reed headshot

    Kevin Reed

    Stony Brook University

Laura Briley headshot

    Laura Briley

    Great Lakes Integrated Sciences + Assessments (GLISA)

Lisa Bucci headshot

    Lisa Bucci

    National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration

Morgan Gorris headshot

    Morgan Gorris

    University of California, Irvine

Trent Frey headshot

    Trent Frey

    National Weather Service

Not sure what major to choose?

Tap into our network of 85k+ engineering alumni. Do you have questions you’d like answered? Our alumni are always eager to talk about engineering.
(Current and admitted UM students only.)

Speak to an Alum
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Industries & Occupations

  • Federal Government
  • Scientific Research Laboratories
  • Broadcast Media Industry
  • Technical/Business Consulting
  • Meteorology
  • Space Sciences
  • Climate Change
  • Astronomy
  • Space Weather
  • Atmosphere
  • Planetary Sciences
A professor points to a weather map on a wall lit in green as a female student looks on

Companies

  • NASA
  • National Weather Service
  • JPL
  • meteoblue
  • Leosphere
  • National Center for Atmospheric Research
  • Ubimet
  • Ford Motor Company

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Chris Bedford headshot

Christopher Bedford

  • Sailing Weather Service, LLC
  • Chief Meteorologist

University of Michigan, BS Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, 1986
Certified Consulting Meteorologist, American Meteorological Society
Career Summary

Christopher has had a varied career, working in every field, from a large commercial weather forecasting operation to air quality meteorology. As Chief Meteorologist for the Sailing Weather Service, LLC, Christopher provides meteorological forecasting and consulting services to professional yacht racing teams not only in Boston, but for clients worldwide.

Awards

In 2004, received the US Sailing President’s Award specifically for work with the US Sailing Team at the Summer Games in Athens, Greece.
In 2009, awarded the University of Michigan College of Engineering Alumni Society Merit Award.

What excites you about your career?

Every day is a new day. No two days are alike.

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

Time dulls the dislike and only the fond memories remain. But enjoying the diversity of opportunities that U of M offered made me, in large part, the person I am today.
Favorite Student Orgs/Events/Classes: Special projects and forecasting opportunities such as the Battle Creek Hot Air Balloon Festival and Port Huron to Mackinac Race. These got be started on my career path today.

Advice to Students

Always try new things.

Get out of your comfort zone.

Challenge yourself.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I am a licensed airplane pilot and a bodybuilder using “old school” heavy compound movement weight training.

David Wright headshot

David Wright

  • University of Michigan
  • Postdoctoral Fellow

University of Michigan, BS Earth System Science & Engineering, 2009
University of Michigan, MS Atmospheric & Space Science, 2010
University of Michigan, Ph.D. Atmospheric, Oceanic, & Space Sciences, 2016
Career Summary

David is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Michigan working on dynamically coupling the latest global forecasting model to a lake hydrodynamic model to improve weather simulations in the Great Lakes region. David also taught boundary layer meteorology at UM after working as a consultant for Saildrone Inc. assimilating data collected from drones at sea into a regional weather forecasting model. David also works as a Meteorologist in Michigan Stadium to forecast and monitor weather onsite for events.

Career Timeline
  • Saildrone, Inc.
  • University of Michigan
  • CIGLR Postdoctoral Fellowship in Data Assimilation and Model Coupling
What excites you about your career?

I am excited about finding out new things about the Great Lakes. In particular, finding out how these large bodies of water influence the weather and climate over the region. It is interesting to see how small changes in the lake properties can significantly change the weather. Being able to work with models that allow us to explore how these two environments interact and investigate the unsolved mysteries over the region is exciting.

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

One of the biggest things U of M offers is the diverse resources on campus. If you are curious about something, there is probably a resource on campus that will allow you to explore it.

The only resource I did not find was the ability to teleport from central campus to north campus in the winter…

One of my most memorable moments in CLaSP (formally AOSS) was storm chasing. This was one of the first experiences of applying what was learned from countless books and PowerPoint slides and seeing the outcome of those equations.

Advice to Students

Discover what your passionate about and relate that to your school work whenever possible. It is that passion that will drive you even through the toughest projects.

What do you like to do outside of work?

As the father of three children (a three year old and one year old twins), one of my favorite activities is sorting primary colored shapes into their appropriate boxes. I like to think I have become pretty proficient at it. I also enjoy cooking and doing minor home improvement projects.

Richard Wagenmaker headshot

Richard Wagenmaker

  • National Weather Service
  • Meteorologist

University of Michigan, Bachelor of Science, 1982
Career Summary

Dick has been a Meteorologist and Forecaster for over 20 years, working for the National Weather Service in Michigan and Arkansas.

What excites you about your career?

Making a tangible difference in the ways my agency (National Weather Service) serves the public with life-saving weather information. There always seems to be interesting avenues for new ideas and innovation.
One of my favorite career accomplishments was helping to lead a large expansion of the Great Lakes coastal marine observation network.

Awards
  • NOAA Distinguished Career Award 2017
  • Dept. Of Commerce Bronze Medal (National Weather Service’s highest award) 2017
  • UM Merit Alumnus 2015
  • NOAA Administrators Award 2012
  • NOAA Administrators Award 2007
  • Dept. of Commerce Bronze Medal 1993
Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

Best parts, in retrospect, were the personal and career connections made along the way. U-M grads are among the most talented in the National Weather Service – and they seem to succeed at the highest levels. Even thirty-seven years later U-M grads from all classes maintain special connections across the agency – and that is really gratifying to see.

Favorite Classes

Meteorological Instrumentation classes were among my favorites, with Perry Samson and Ed Ryznar. My career didn’t exactly go down that path, but I still dabble in it on occasion.

Advice to Students

To make an impact, your talent is something to be nurtured – and everything you do going forward requires effort and preparation beyond where others may be willing to go. That process allows for taking risks without being reckless, and being innovative when others cannot.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Meteorologists usually say their jobs are their hobbies ;-). I really enjoy spending time on the golf course with my son (a Special Olympics golfer)

Emily Gargulinski headshot

Emily Gargulinski

  • National Institute of Aerospace
  • Research Scientist

University of Michigan, BSE Climate and Meteorology, 2017
University of Michigan, MSE Applied Climate, 2018
Certificate of Graduate Studies in Spatial Analysis
Career Summary

I currently work as a Research Scientist at the National Institute of Aerospace. I analyze CALIPSO satellite-derived smoke plume injection height data for wildfires in North America. I also work with both diurnal smoke plume behavior, as well as climatological wildfire patterns in the United States. Previously, I have worked as an intern at NASA Langley, doing archiving of plane fuel emissions and preparing and launching Ozone Sondes for the OWLETS 2017 campaign. In the 6 months leading up to my permanent job position, I analyzed US wildfire smoke behavior and historical burn patterns in the US.

Career Timeline
  • National Institute of Aerospace
  • NASA
What excites you about your career?

As a research scientist, I am always excited to tackle new challenges in data. Part of my job involves analyzing and graphically representing discrepancies between data products, which allows me to apply both my creative and logical skills. The data products I work on have real-life applications for people’s health and safety, so I feel motivated to analyze as much as I can to make a positive impact.

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

Ann Arbor will forever be my “hoMe”! I absolutely loved how U of M was so incorporated with the local communities and how normal it was to have and participate in diverse cultures and educational perspectives.

I loved how U of M always had some sort of event or celebration going on, and how easy it was to participate in our community. I really do believe that the encouragement and openness of my professors is what allowed me to explore and find what I liked to do.

My only regret is that I wish I had tried and participated in more school clubs and gone to more open houses in my early undergrad.

Favorite Student Org

The American Meteorological Society because it allowed my classmates and I to bond over our common climate and meteorology interests and created close-knit friendships that I still value to this day.

Favorite Class

CLIMATE 462 Instruments for Atmospheric & Space Sciences because it was hands-on building of scientific instruments and taught me the value of calibration and understanding how data is sampled. It was truly a unique class!

Advice to Students

Explore any topic you find interesting. There are so many opportunities to incorporate your interests into your class load, and by talking with other students and professors you may find a passion you never even knew was a possibility. Diversity of classes leads to better interdisciplinary solutions to future problems!

What do you like to do outside of work?

I really enjoy exploring local parks and nature trails. I feel like I connect more with my job and get more meaning from it when I can see the ecosystems that are represented as numbers in my work. Observing nature’s beauty reminds me of why climate change study is so important!

Emily Upton headshot

Emily Upton

  • Modern Mill Solar
  • Solar Electrician

University of Michigan, BSE Earth System Science & Engineering, 2017
University of Michigan, MSE Applied Climate Engineering, 2018
Career Summary

For the last few months, I have been working as a solar electrician for a small startup named Modern Mill Solar in Royal Oak, MI in order to learn how to install and maintain residential solar projects. My next career goal is to work in rural regions of developing countries to bring clean, reliable, and affordable energy to regions that have not had access to it yet, or regions that seem like might use fossil fuels if other options are not available. For this reason, I am spending the next two years learning the ropes of renewable energy design and installation, so that when I am 25, I can apply for field positions with the U.N. volunteer program.

Previously, I was an Associate Project Officer working as the first office member facilitating the growth of the Integrated Global Greenhouse Gas Information System (IG3IS) within the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.

What excites you about your career?

The opportunity to work on the global multi-faceted issue that is climate change, and knowing that because it is multi-faceted, my career can have several and varied pasts.

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

I like the small college feel of the CLaSP department, with the big college resources of UM. I felt the CLaSP department was a dynamic, innovative, and supportive team that I learned a ton from and I hope to contribute to as I continue my career.

Favorite Student Orgs: UMAMS, Climate Blue, Michigan GIVErs

Favorite Classes: CLaSP 480, CLaSP 530, CLaSP 370, Environ 365 (International Climate Policy)

Advice to Students

Do as much as you can while you are at U of M. There are so many incredible people, resources, and ideas constantly surrounding you on that campus. Take advantage of them by going to office hours and getting to know your professors, attending as many panels and special events as possible, joining student organizations that push your professional and social boundaries, etc. This will help you figure out who you are, what you want out of life, and how your own skills can best contribute to society.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Running, mountain climbing (I climbed Kilimanjaro in Tanzania & Salkantay and Machu Picchu in Peru), studying language (I studied Spanish and French and I am looking to study Swahili and Arabic next), and volunteering

Kevin Reed headshot

Kevin Reed

  • Stony Brook University
  • Assistant Professor

University of Michigan, BS Physics, 2006
University of Michigan, MS Atmospheric and Space Science, 2009
University of Michigan, Ph.D. in Atmospheric and Space Science, 2012
Graduate Certificate in Science, Technology, and Public Policy
Career Summary

It wasn’t until the end of my time at U-M that I begin to realize that with a Michigan education you can tailor your career to your interests, expertise and personal motivations. In my “hat” as a researcher, I focus on investigating how extreme events, such a hurricanes, may be altered in a changing climate. This includes understanding the capability of current and next-generation climate models to simulate extreme weather events. This is really exciting to me because most living species on Earth have been impacted by extreme weather at some point and in some way. Therefore, understanding how extreme weather events change is of great societal importance. When coupled with my interests and experience in public policy and applications of scientific research, I have been able to develop a research group at Stony Brook University that places an emphasize on producing actionable science with real impacts for risk, people, cities, policies, etc. This excites me because I not only get to witness the application of scientific research in action, I get to work with graduate students who are passionate about making their own mark on societally relevant research!

Awards
  • Runner-up Poster Competition, 2014 Climate Symposium
  • Awarded NCAR Advanced Study Program Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013-2014)
  • Selected for American Geophysical Union Congressional Science Fellowship (2012-2013)
  • 2012 ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award Honorable Mention, University of Michigan
Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

Despite living in Ann Arbor and attending U-M for 9 years, I have more likes than dislikes and think very fondly of that era of my career/life. Each year that goes by the more and more I appreciate my experiences in my department, at the university, and in the AA community more broadly. These experiences had a big influence not only my career, but on how I have grown personally.

I am a UM “lifer” as evidenced by the fact that I am still a season football ticket holder with frequent trips back to AA in the Fall. Nothing beats a Fall Saturday in Ann Arbor! Furthermore, I have become a persistent unofficial spokesperson to all who will listen on the uniqueness and greatness of the University of Michigan.

Football Saturdays! Football Saturdays were, and still are, a highlight of my time in AA. From my time as an undergraduate in the Michigan Marching Band to organizing weekly tailgates with fellow students as a graduate student to flying in on the first morning flight from NYC to make it in time for kickoff this Fall, nothing epitomises the University of Michigan more than family and friends gathering on Saturday mornings to discuss a recent exam, to reminisce about late night game nights Freshman year, boast about upcoming travel plans, or predict the prospects of another football season and fall semester in the shadow of Michigan Stadium.

Advice to Students

Don’t take your time in Ann Arbor and at the University of Michigan for granted! Take advantage of opportunities to enroll in courses in other disciplines and departments, leverage UM’s global network to travel abroad and gain experience, get involved in your discipline’s organizations (e.g., AGU) as an early career member, and take control of your own future!

Since my time at UM, I have traveled extensively, lived in the most populous city in the country and interacted with people in a variety of professions at different times in their careers, and whenever I meet a fellow UM alumni a common topic of discussion and pride is how there is no where else in the world as unique as the University of Michigan! So take advantage of the unlimited opportunities available to you!

What do you like to do outside of work?

In addition to being a devoted follower of U-M sports, I enjoy traveling the country and world (much of which I get to do as part of my job!). I believe that traveling is one way to continue a life-long educational journey. Every time I visit a different community, city or country, whether for the first time or the 20th time, I learn something new! Even as a Professor at Stony Brook University, I strive to continue to be a student in all aspects of life.

Laura Briley headshot

Laura Briley

  • Great Lakes Integrated Sciences + Assessments (GLISA)
  • Climatologist

University of Michigan, BSE Earth System Science and Engineering, 2009
Northern Illinois University, MS Geography, 2012
Career Summary

Laura brings her expertise in climate information for decision making to partnerships between GLISA and regional stakeholders to advance climate change adaptation in the Great Lakes Region. Laura’s work focuses on how to incorporate future climate model projections and their uncertainty into decision-making processes.

What excites you about your career?

I love problem solving, and in my career I get to problem solve both in terms of scientific study and in the real-world when I work with practitioners who are planning for the future.

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

I appreciated the closeness of students in my AOSS (now CLASP) classes and how we became like family during our time at school. I do not miss exams one bit, though!

I participated in the Public Service Internship Program (PSIP) where I got to spend a summer in Washington, D.C. and experience political environments that I thought I wanted to work in. My internship with the White House Council on Environmental Quality ultimately taught me I did not want to work in politics and forever changed my career course for the better.

Advice to Students

Find a UM researcher or faculty member doing the kind of work you would like to do after graduation and pursue opportunities to work with them (either for class credit or wage). Who you know in your field can make all the difference when it comes time to find employment!

What do you like to do outside of work?

Spend time with my kids and family, go for walks around our neighborhood, workout, play the keyboard in my church’s band

Lisa Bucci headshot

Lisa Bucci

  • National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Hurricane Research Scientist

University of Michigan, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, 2007
Florida State University, MS Meteorology, 2010
University of Miami, PhD candidate in Atmospheric Science
Career Summary

As a Hurricane Research Scientist, Lisa studies hurricanes through field work and modeling experiments to find the best ways to observe and predict them.

What excites you about your career?

Flying into hurricanes every year!

Awards
  • Team Member of the Month, NOAA (January 2018).
  • Banner I. Miller Award, American Meteorological Society (2016).
  • Scientific Employee of the Year (Group Award), South Florida Federal Executive Board (2014).
  • Research Employee of the Year (Group Award), NOAA (2013)
Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

Discovered a love for field work at U-M through a trip to the Plains to study tornadic thunderstorms (supercells). Learned a lot and made some great friends too! Also, you can’t beat the Big House experience!!

Favorite Student Orgs/Events: Pi Beta Phi, Michigan football games

Favorite Classes: Extreme Weather, and Instrumentation for Atmospheric and Space Sciences

Advice to Students

Build friendships with your classmates. You will see and work with them for many years beyond your time in college!

What do you like to do outside of work?

Being a mom, long distance running, rock climbing, tennis

Morgan Gorris headshot

Morgan Gorris

  • University of California, Irvine
  • PhD Candidate

University of Michigan, BSE Earth System Science and Engineering, Math Minor, 2014
University of California, Irvine, MS Earth System Science, 2016
University of California, Irvine, Ph.D. Earth System Science, 2019
Career Summary

I am a 5th year PhD Candidate at the University of California, Irvine in the Department of Earth System Science, where I work on multidisciplinary research projects studying how weather and climate affect human health. One of my areas of focus is how climate change may affect the spread of infectious diseases, such as West Nile virus. Year to year variability in our weather can affect the number of diseases cases, while climate change could affect where diseases are found and who is most at risk. The relationships between climate and diseases is important to understand so health agencies can prepare in advance to mitigate health effects, especially as new people are exposed to these diseases. A lot of my work is making maps of where diseases may be endemic in the future in response to climate change. I work closely with epidemiologists, public health officials, and physicians to understand how we can best plan for the spread of disease.

Career Timeline
  • NASA Ames
  • MIT Lincoln Laboratory
  • Naval Research Laboratory
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory
Awards
  • National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship, 2016-2019
  • UC Irvine Department of Earth System Science Faculty Endowed Fellowship, 2019
  • UC Irvine Data Science Initiative Fellowship, 2015
  • UC Irvine Department of Earth System Science Jenkins Family Graduate Fellowship, 2014
  • Outstanding Student Presentation Award at the American Geophysical Union conference, 2019
  • Outstanding Student Presentation Award at the American Meteorological Society conference, 2017
What excites you about your career?

My research is in a new multidisciplinary field, sometimes referred to as GeoHealth. Not many people realize than climate change will affect human health. When people ask me about my research, they are genuinely interested in understanding how climate change may put their health at risk- more extreme heat events, increased air pollution, and increased risk of diseases are just some of the ways we will be affected.

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

Nothing compares to game days at The Big House. I met my best friends at UM and although we are spread across the United States now, we still find excuses to come back and visit beautiful Ann Arbor.

Advice to Students

Having supportive mentors throughout your career can help open doors that otherwise would be hard to even find. I found a lot of the opportunities I had in science and engineering through mentorship and networking.

Spend time making meaningful connections with professors, more senior students, and other mentors. In turn, try to be a helpful mentor to those less senior than yourself.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I enjoy horseback riding (I was a former member of the UM polo team!) and playing volleyball (I played UM Women’s club volleyball, too!). I like to spend my time outdoors, especially exploring the US National Parks and historic lighthouses.

Trent Frey headshot

Trent Frey

  • National Weather Service
  • Meteorologist

University of Michigan, BSE Earth System Science and Engineering, 2014
University of Michigan, MS Atmospheric Science, 2015
Professional GIS Certificate from Michigan State University, 2017

Career Summary

As a Meteorologist, Trent is responsible for issuing weather watches, warnings, and advisories, creating 7-day forecasts, providing weather support for local and state partners, launching weather balloons, and ensuring the quality of meteorological data gathered across Southeast Michigan. Prior to working at the National Weather Service, Treant was an Undergraduate Research Assistant and a Graduate Student Instructor for AOSS 102 (Extreme Weather), a Summer Research Fellow at NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab, and Meteorological Data Analyst at NWS National Data Buoy Center.

What excites you about your career?

The weather is different every single day and I learn something new with each new scenario. The work I do has an impact on those that rely on our warnings and forecasts. There is also opportunity to focus/specialize in any specific topic that interests me.

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

Likes: Incredible faculty, opportunity to pursue any interest, tight-knit community of AOSS, summers in Ann Arbor and Tornado Camp!

Dislikes: 8am classes, crowded Bursley-Baits buses.

Favorite Student Orgs/Events: UM Chapter of the American Meteorological Society, Squirrel Club, Football games

Favorite Classes: AOSS 440 (Meteorological Analysis Lab), CLCIV 328 (Ancient Languages and Scripts), NRE 531 (Principles of GIS)

Advice to Students

Step outside of your comfort zone and take a class/join a club you might not otherwise consider.

Take advantage of the knowledge, experience, and advice of the instructors and peers.

Get plenty of sleep and enjoy your time on campus!

What do you like to do outside of work?

Cook, fly my drone, see live music, and cloud watch (of course!).

Speak to an Alum

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1221 Beal Avenue

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2102

+1 (734) 647-7000

[email protected]

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