Six undergraduate students from around the U.S. are at NSSL this summer working on research projects as part of the NOAA Hollings Scholars program. The prestigious program is designed to help encourage students to pursue a future career in atmospheric science research.

NSSL researchers volunteer their time to be paired with a student. Together the team chooses a project and the scientists guide them through the research process. The students formally present at the end of the summer. The experience is augmented by tours, field trips and lectures.

This years research topics are:

Environmental Conditions Associated with Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes in the United States – Jace Bauer, Purdue University, mentored by Harold Brooks.
Investigating Severe Storms Attributes in NWS tornado warnings using WDSS-ii radar-derived products – John Cintineo, Cornell University, mentored by Travis Smith.
Climatological analysis of the water budget and soil infiltration characteristics throughout the state of Oklahoma – David Cook, SUNY Albany, mentored by J.J. Gourley.
Composite RUC Analyses of Weakly-Forced Mesoscale Convective Systems – Jason Hwang, Miami University, mentored by Dave Stensrud and Mike Coniglio.
An Analysis of the Accuracy of Wind Measurements Taken on a Mobile Mesonet Vehicle – Sean Waugh, University of Oklahoma, mentored by Dave Rust and Don MacGorman.
Evolution of a Tornadic Supercell Thunderstorm. Part I: Preparation of One-Minute Phased Array Radar Measurements for Analysis – James Kurdzo, Millersville University, mentored by Rodger Brown and Pam Heinselman.
Significance: Supports NOAA Education goals to develop a future workforce skilled in disciplines critical to NOAA’s mission.