Meet the MAPP Program's funded Scientists

Elizabeth Barnes: Questioning rivers in the sky

Between the weekly forecast and a seasonal outlook—and often less accurate than both—sit “sub-seasonal” weather predictions. In this profile, atmospheric scientist Libby Barnes talks about her work leading a NOAA task force whose members are trying to overcome the special challenges of forecasting over the 2-week to 2-month horizon.

Eric Maloney: Understanding the mysterious Madden-Julian Oscillation

From the front lawn of his childhood home in the Chicago suburbs, Eric Maloney, Professor at Colorado State University and NOAA-funded scientist, experienced extreme weather ranging from blizzards to severe thunderstorms. As a kid, he even videotaped a tornado. Maloney has been fascinated with the weather ever since.

John Nielsen-Gammon: Informing Texas with climate data and information

Texas State Climatologist and NOAA-funded scientist, John Nielsen-Gammon, has helped the state of Texas make the best possible use of weather and climate information for 17 years. "I became a climatologist before I actually did any climatology work," he said. 

Jason Otkin: Predicting rapidly-developing droughts based on plant stress

Growing up on a farm in Minnesota, Jason Otkin felt that the weather controlled everything in his life. In the middle of "farm country," Otkin's parents made a living herding cattle and growing corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and wheat. The farm was home to sandy ground that tended to dry up quickly in the summer after some hot and dry weather, causing crop conditions to rapidly deteriorate.