{"id":405,"date":"2019-11-11T09:47:20","date_gmt":"2019-11-11T15:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ensmith.oucreate.com\/?page_id=405"},"modified":"2025-05-30T17:23:53","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T22:23:53","slug":"student-mentoring","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/inside.nssl.noaa.gov\/ensmith\/student-mentoring\/","title":{"rendered":"Students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I sincerely enjoy working with students! I hold an affiliate assistant professor appointment in OU’s School of Meteorology. Occasionally I have paid research positions, but I also mentor students through programs like the NWC REU, NOAA’s Lapenta program or via other research opportunities. If you’re interested in the type of research I do and would like to explore student research options, please get in touch<\/a>. Feel welcome to schedule a time<\/a> for us to talk.

In my work with students, I aim to be clear about what my expectations are for our time working together. When initiating a new mentoring or supervising relationship, I begin by providing students a summary of expectations, which we jointly review. The document I use is based generally on a similar process developed by Dr. Mary K. Salcedo<\/a>. The expectations document I use is a living document that updates overtime. For the most recent version, please get in touch<\/a>, and I can provide the relevant version! I also encourage all prospective students to contact current and previous students (listed below) to understand my working style.
Salcedo, Mary. (2020). Undergraduate Expectations Document – working with Dr. Salcedo. Zenodo. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5281\/zenodo.4000437 <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Courses<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

METR 4603\/5603 \u2013 Advanced Observations for Lower Atmospheric Research<\/strong><\/a>
I developed this class and began offering it at OU in fall 2021. I plan to offer it every other year in the fall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Students<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Alejandro Medina
<\/strong>NOAA EPP NERTO 2025<\/em>
Exploring sampling approaches for NSSL\u2019s UAS applications

Degree: MS, Computer Engineering
University of Texas at El Paso
Expected Graduation: 2026
—
I mentor Alejandro during his 12-week experience at a NOAA facility as part of his studies as a NOAA EPP\/MSI CESSRT Graduate Scholar. During his time at NSSL, he will work with me to explore and develop adaptive sampling strategies for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).<\/em><\/td>		Matt Ammon
<\/strong>Graduate Research 2023\u20132025<\/em>
Venturing into the Vertical: OSSEs and 3D mesonets

Degree: Master of Science, Meteorology
University of Oklahoma
School of Meteorology
Expected Graduation: 2025
(Matthew also worked with me as an undergraduate student 2022-2023).<\/em>
—
Matt is studying potential designs of future 3D mesonet networks using observing system simulation experiments. These experiments rely on high-fidelity observation emulators. Using two cases of high-impact convection with differing evolution and environmental conditions, different network designs can be evaluated in terms of their impact on numerical weather prediction. These evaluations include forecast skill, instrument capability and feasibility, and cost efficacy.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Abdullah al Tasim<\/strong>
Graduate Research 2022-2025<\/em>
Advancing CopterSonde Technology for Next Generation Observations

Degree: MS, Mechanical Engineering
University of Oklahoma
Expected Graduation: 2025
—
Tasim is directly advised by my colleague, Tony Segales. However, I am the PI funding his work via my NOAA OMAO project PRODIGEE, which is developing the next generation of CopterSonde to meet NOAA mission needs.<\/em><\/td>		Michelle Storm<\/strong> (Spencer)
Graduate Research 2022-2025<\/em>
Exploring Sea Breezes, Convection, and Boundary Layer Processes

Degree: PhD, Meteorology
University of Oklahoma
Expected Graduation: 2025
(Michelle also worked with me as an undergraduate REU student in 2019)<\/em>.
—
Michelle is co-mentored by Dr. Petra Klein and supported by the TRACER project. She earned her BS at Metropolitan State University and MS at University of Wisconsin\u2013Milwaukee, both in Atmospheric Science. Her PhD work will use boundary layer observations collected during the TRACER project in coastal Houston, TX. She will focus on the interactions between sea breezes, urban boundary layers, boundary layer processes, and convection initiation<\/em>.<\/td><\/tr>
Arianna Jordan<\/strong>
Graduate Research 2020-2025<\/em>
Boundary layer flow associated with wind energy resources

Degree: PhD, Meteorology
University of Oklahoma
Expected Graduation: 2025
—
Arianna earned a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from San Jose State University and a Master of Science degree in atmospheric science from Howard University before joining the PhD program at OU. I serve as a co-adviser for Arianna alongside Dr. Petra Klein (OU\/SoM\/AGS) and scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Arianna\u2019s work will explore boundary layer features and flow in the context of wind energy resources. Learn more about Arianna on her\u00a0webpage<\/a>.<\/em><\/td>		I am not seeking new graduate students at this time due to lack of funded opportunities. <\/em>– SP25<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Previous Students<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
Isaac Medina<\/strong>
Undergraduate Research 2021-202<\/em>4
Assessing multiyear boundary-layer variability in the southeastern United States
NWC REU 2021<\/em>
Boundary Layer Depth Measurement Disparities During the Evening Transitional Period

Degree earned: BS in Meteorology with minors in Air Traffic Management and General Business, 2024
University of Oklahoma
School of Meteorology and<\/em>
School of Aviation

Afterwards:
Graduate study at Johns Hopkins University<\/em><\/td>		Victor Alvarez<\/strong>
Undergraduate Research 2021-202<\/em>3
CLAMPS dataset analysis and development

Degree earned: BS in Data Science, 2023
University of Oklahoma

Afterwards:
Private sector software development<\/em><\/td>		Marshall Baldwin<\/strong>
Undergraduate Research 2021-202<\/em>3
CLAMPS dataset analysis and development

Degree earned: BS in Meteorology, 2024
University of Oklahoma
School of Meteorology
<\/td><\/tr>
Josh Ostazewski<\/strong>
NOAA Lapenta Internship Program 2023<\/em>
Choose your own adventure at NSSL: process-based studies of the pre- and near-storm environment and conditions that support it using recent field observations of the lowest levels of the atmosphere

Degree in progress: PhD, Atmospheric Science, Expected 2027
Texas Tech University<\/td>		Matt Ammon<\/strong>
Under Graduate Research 2022-2023<\/em>
Effects of Terrain Heterogeneity on Boundary-layer Processes that Impact the Evolution of Severe Convection

Degree earned: BS in Meteorology, 2023
University of Oklahoma
School of Meteorology

Afterwards:
Graduate study at the University of Oklahoma<\/em>

Publication of this work in review<\/em><\/td>		Nadiyah Williams<\/strong>
NOAA Lapenta Internship Program 2022<\/em>
Comparative Analysis of Wind Observations from Doppler Lidar and Radiosondes

Degree earned: BS in Atmospheric and Ocean Science, 2024
Georgia Tech University

Afterwards:
Graduate study at Colorado University of Boulder<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Nolan Meister<\/strong>
Graduate Research 2020-2022<\/em>
Boundary layer characteristics during CHEESEHEAD: typical characteristics and analysis of a 2-day severe convection event
Senior Capstone 2019-2020<\/em>
Utilizing Mobile Doppler Wind Lidar Observations and Idealized Modeling to Understand the Characteristics of a Density Current\u2019s Vertical Velocity Field

Degree earned: MS in Meteorology, 2022
Degree earned: BS in Meteorology with Minor in Communication, 2020
University of Oklahoma
School of Meteorology

Afterwards:
NWS Forecaster Norman, OK<\/em><\/td>		Katie Giannakopolous<\/strong>
Undergraduate Research 2020-2021<\/em>
Evaluating Polarimetric Retrievals of Boundary Layer Height Using State-of-the-Art Boundary Layer Profiling

Degree earned: BS in Meteorology with Minor in Math, 2022
University of Oklahoma
School of Meteorology

Afterwards:
Graduate study at the University of Oklahoma<\/em><\/td>		Tyler Pardun<\/strong>
Undergraduate Research 2019-2021<\/em>
Defining the capabilities of boundary layer profiling systems for operations in the southeastern United States

Degree earned: BS in Meteorology with Minor in Math, 2021
University of Oklahoma
School of Meteorology

Afterwards:
Graduate study at the University of Oklahoma<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Dana Pawlowski<\/strong>
NWC REU 2021<\/em>
Pre-Convective HSLC Environment Analysis of a Supercell Using Boundary Layer Profiling Data

Degree earned: BS in Applied Atmospheric Science, 2022
East Carolina University<\/td>		Jordan Laser<\/strong>
Graduate Research 2019-2020<\/em>
Evaluating Warn-on-Forecast System (WoFS) predictions of supercell inflow environments

Degree earned: MS in Meteorology, 2020
University of Oklahoma
School of Meteorology

Afterwards:
Scientific engineering work at UT-Austin<\/em><\/td>		Maci Gibson<\/strong>
Senior Capstone 2019-2020<\/em>
Investigation of supercell characteristics and their sensitivity to hodograph shape using idealized WRF simulations

Degree earned: BS in Meteorology with Minor in Math, 2020
University of Oklahoma
School of Meteorology

Afterwards:
Graduate study at the University of Oklahoma<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Marisa Nuzzo<\/strong>
Senior Capstone 2019-2020<\/em>
Investigation of supercell characteristics and their sensitivity to hodograph shape using idealized WRF simulations

Degree earned: BS in Meteorology with Minors in Math and Broadcast Journalism, 2020
University of Oklahoma
School of Meteorology<\/td>		James Cuellar<\/strong>
Senior Capstone 2019-2020<\/em>
Utilizing Mobile Doppler Wind Lidar Observations and Idealized Modeling to Understand the Characteristics of a Density Current\u2019s Vertical Velocity Field

Degree earned: BS in Meteorology with minors in GIS and Math, 2020
University of Oklahoma
School of Meteorology

Afterwards:
NWS Forecaster in Wichita, KS<\/em><\/td>		Michelle Spencer<\/strong>
NWC REU 2019<\/em>
Exploring Great Plains Nocturnal Low Level Jet Heterogeneity and Connections to Convection Initiation

Degree earned: BS in Meteorology, 2019
Metropolitan State University of Denver

Afterwards:
Graduate study at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee <\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I sincerely enjoy working with students! I hold an affiliate assistant professor appointment in OU’s School of Meteorology. Occasionally I have paid research positions, but I also mentor students through… <\/p>\n

Read more \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":150,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-405","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.nssl.noaa.gov\/ensmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.nssl.noaa.gov\/ensmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.nssl.noaa.gov\/ensmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inside.nssl.noaa.gov\/ensmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/150"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inside.nssl.noaa.gov\/ensmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=405"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/inside.nssl.noaa.gov\/ensmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/405\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":957,"href":"https:\/\/inside.nssl.noaa.gov\/ensmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/405\/revisions\/957"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.nssl.noaa.gov\/ensmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}