Research for undergraduates in meteorology is crucial to gaining research experience and can greatly increase attractiveness to graduate schools. It also provides the opportunity to work with peers, see what research is like in multiple settings (university, government, etc.), and network with well-known professionals in the meteorology field. It can also assist in developing students' research interests; this is useful when looking for graduate programs. I am very grateful to have been a part of two research internships at different universities, with very different experiences. Both of my internships have taught me much about research, teamwork, and the importance of attending conferences, whether or not I present my work. My mentors gave me excellent information about the best graduate schools in the country and the kinds of programs they offer. Over time I have narrowed my research interests, and I could not have done that without the research experiences I had.

At Iowa State University, all meteorology students are required to complete Mteor 499: Senior Research during the fall semester prior to graduation. Please see my senior thesis webpage for a look at my work.
In addition, each University Honors Program participant must complete an honors project before graduation to graduate with honors. The honors project may explore creative expression or scientific understanding. I chose to study an interesting rotational lake-effect event over Lake Tahoe from 2004; I will use surface observations and numerical modeling to analyze the event. More information on this project will appear here as I delve more deeply into the research.

The CSU-CHILL REU is a 9-week long program designed to introduce undergraduates to graduate work in the Colorado State University Electrical and Computer Engineering department. During the summer of 2011 my research partner and I used cloud photogrammetry and the S-band, dual-polarization, CSU-CHILL radar to analyze developing cumulus clouds that produced precipitation and/or severe weather. The hope of the research project was to use photogrammetry and dual-polarization radar measurements to match internal cloud processes to visible cloud formation. Storm spotters, airline pilots, and weather/radar enthusiasts can benefit from being able to match an internal cloud process to a visible developing cumulus cloud. For more information, please view our abstract.

This program provided me an opportunity to experience meteorological research, work with fellow students in my research, and network with professionals in my field. During the summer my research partner and I conducted climatological research of lake-effect precipitation events in the Lake Tahoe, CA/NV region. Gibson Ridge radar software and SPSS statistical software were critical to observation and analysis of the meteorological data used in this study. For more information please view our abstract.
I presented this research at the 10th Annual AMS Student Conference (Seattle, Wa, Jan 2011), the 36th Annual Northeastern Storm Conference (Taunton, MA, Mar 2011), the 15th Annual Central Iowa NWA Severe Storms & Doppler Radar Conference (Ankeny, IA, Mar/Apr 2011), and the 5th Annual Iowa State University Undergraduate Research Symposium (Ames, IA, Apr 2011).