Shepherd

I once dreamed of becoming an entomologist, until a bee sting in the sixth grade quickly changed my focus to weather. The “weather bug” bit me, and that shift set me on a path to becoming a climate scientist. In the field, I discovered a significant issue between the intersection of weather and the economy: vulnerable communities face the greatest risk when extreme weather strikes.

Weather and climate impact every facet of society—from the economy and health to infrastructure, agriculture and national security. Understanding the connections between weather and these sectors allows us to help communities become resilient across local, state, national, and global levels.

After spending 12 years at NASA as a research meteorologist, an opportunity presented itself at the University of Georgia. UGA’s interdisciplinary geography department and growing atmospheric sciences program were the perfect fit, along with the chance to return to the flagship university of my home state. The endowed professorship I received from the Athletic Association has been vital in advancing my research at the intersection of weather, climate, urban processes and risk.

Through partnerships with organizations like the Georgia Climate Project, Drawdown Georgia, the U.S. Navy and UGA’s Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, we bridge the gap between research and real-world impact. Together, we’re working hard to protect vulnerable populations from being caught in the crosshairs of extreme weather disasters.