Clifford Jacobs
American Meteorological Society Oral History Project
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On April 29, 2013, Richard A. Anthes interviewed Dr. Clifford Jacobs for the National Center for Atmospheric Research Oral History Project at the National Science Foundation (NSF) headquarters. Dr. Jacobs reflects on his early interest in science, particularly inspired by Jacques Cousteau’s invention of the aqualung, and his experiences in scuba diving and mechanical projects during his youth. He recounts his academic journey, obtaining a mathematics degree and a master’s in oceanography at Texas A&M, followed by a Ph.D. in air-sea interaction from New York University while working full-time and raising a family.
Jacobs discusses his early career at Travelers Research Center, which led to his deep engagement with atmospheric science and modeling. Transitioning to NSF in 1984, he served in roles overseeing the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and its computational infrastructure. He highlights his advocacy for supercomputing and data preservation, including his oversight of acquisitions such as the Cray supercomputers and the Gulfstream G-V aircraft for atmospheric research. Jacobs details his involvement in the creation of Unidata, a program supporting data distribution and analysis for the atmospheric sciences, emphasizing its community-driven governance.
Throughout the interview, Jacobs reflects on the challenges of balancing NSF's oversight with support for NCAR, navigating political and budgetary constraints, and addressing criticisms of NCAR’s computational codes. He recounts significant achievements, such as sustaining consistent funding for NCAR and fostering innovative infrastructure, alongside disappointments, including delays caused by a controversial attempt to acquire a Japanese supercomputer. Jacobs concludes with insights into the evolution of NSF’s infrastructure strategy and its impact on advancing atmospheric sciences.
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