The NOAA OAR/CPO Modeling, Analysis, Predictions, and 
Projections (MAPP) program hosted two webinars on the topic of Transitioning Research to Applications (R2A). The first took place on Thursday, May 7 from 3-4pm at the NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction in College Park, MD and the second on Tuesday, May 12 from 2-3pm in the NOAA CPO Fishbowl, SSMC3 room 12871. The first session included speakers Annarita Mariotti (NOAA CPO), Jin Huang (NOAA CPC), and Hendrik Tolman (NOAA EMC), who described organizational and programmatic perspectives on transition activities. The second session focused on scientific research projects and transition, with speakers including Sarah Lu (University at Albany), Mike Ek (NOAA EMC), and Cecelia DeLuca (NOAA ESRL).
Research and development in OAR serve as the foundation upon which NOAA advances its goals, and mission-oriented R&D can have a huge impact if new knowledge, techniques, and capabilities are transferred into applied practice. The process of transitions is an enduring challenge, and OAR’s/CPO’s efforts to enhance R2A are essential for achieving NOAA’s mission.