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LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
DEAR FRIENDS,
In my year as chair of Atmospheric Sciences, I have been struck by the critical importance of the research that takes place within our department. The faculty, staff, postdocs, and students that make up the fabric of Atmos are working diligently to advance solutions to significant problems that matter— to people, ecosystems, and planetary processes.
As chair, I am required to provide a final reading of each graduate student’s thesis, giving me a window into the ways our current research advances understanding of clouds, circulation, drought, emissions, and air quality. With extensive place-based observations spanning the Wasatch Front’s mountains, cities, and lakes, we are contributing to our community’s well-being.
Atmos research impacts communities across the state of Utah and ecosystems across the Intermountain West. Core observational infrastructure such as MesoWest and Storm Peak Lab serve the national and global scientific community. The department’s reach is vast— crossing all ocean basins and spanning all latitudes. In fact, the Atmos research footprint spans planetary scales, explaining climate and weather on other planets, moons, and times in the deep geologic past.
Research across Atmos is thriving with a diverse portfolio of state and federal support. Our faculty are recognized internationally for our contributions in cloudclimate interactions, mountain meteorology, climate physics and dynamics, weather and climate modeling, and atmospheric chemistry and air quality. These researchers are building new sensors, deploying them in clever new ways, and creating and applying new models in partnership with communities who need these tools.
It is an exciting time to be a part of Atmospheric Sciences! It is also a time of significant change. With a new chair, a new college, and new faculty, Atmos is at an inflection point. In Spring 2025, we look forward to moving into our new home, the L.S. Skaggs Applied Science Building. We're grateful for the substantial contribution made by our former chair and emeritus faculty Ed Zipser. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ed for his generosity and years of service.
Other changes include new faculty members Alyssa Stansfield and Makoto Kelp who bring research expertise in climate and weather extremes. We are grateful for our partnership with the Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy in these efforts.
Thank you for your continued support of Atmospheric Sciences. I am humbled by the generosity of our alumni, faculty, students, and the broader community. Together we can make amazing things happen.
Sincerely,
