American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

  • Collection DOI:
    Principal Investigator:
    Jinny Nathans, Sophie Mankins
  • In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of theAmerican Meteorological Society, interviews were conducted with its many members and leaders.  These interviews serve to recognize the strength, diversity, and accomplishments of the AMS community, from the beginning right up to today.

    For more information, visit: ametsoc.org/index.cfm/ams100/oral-histories/

Interviewee Sort ascending Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Vijay Tallapragada American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Vijay Tallapragada is a seasoned meteorologist with over twenty-five years of experience in the field. His journey in meteorology began with a master's degree in Andhra University in India, where he was introduced to the fascinating subject of meteorology and atmospheric sciences. Despite the initial struggle due to limited access to information, Vijay was encouraged to continue further and pursued another Master's in atmospheric sciences.

Jinny Nathans Denver, CO American Meteorological Society
Todd Glickman American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Todd Glickman is a former editor of the Glossary Second Edition and a pioneer in the field of meteorology. He started his career as a radio broadcaster for Weather Services Corporation in Bedford, Massachusetts in the late 1970s. Glickman was one of the first employees of WSI Corporation, a company founded in 1979 with the mission of transforming raw National Weather Service information into value-added products for meteorologists.

Jinny Nathans Phoenix, AZ American Meteorological Society
Steven Koch American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Steve Koch is a seasoned atmospheric scientist with a rich career spanning academia, government, and research institutions. He began his journey in the field of atmospheric sciences around 1974. Koch's early career involved working with Mike Kaplan, Mel Shapiro, and Dan Keyser, where he developed a keen interest in the dynamics of inertial gravity waves and their significant role in organized convection, tornado outbreaks, and downstream development at larger scales. Koch's academic journey led him to the University of Oklahoma, where he completed his doctorate in 1974.

Jinny Nathans Denver, CO American Meteorological Society
Sepi Yalda American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Sepi Yalda is a distinguished academic in the field of atmospheric sciences. She began her association with the American Meteorological Society (AMS) as a graduate student, attending her first AMS annual meeting during this time. This experience played a significant role in shaping her educational path and career development, providing her with opportunities to network, present her work, and interact with other professionals in the field. Yalda's involvement with AMS extended beyond her student years.

Jinny Nathans Phoenix, AZ American Meteorological Society
Ron Holle American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Ron Holle is a well-known lightning safety specialist who has spent over 45 years studying lightning and its effects. He is considered one of the leading experts in the field of lightning safety and has authored numerous articles and papers on the subject. Holle received his Bachelor's degree in meteorology from Florida State University and his Master's degree in atmospheric science from the University of Arizona.

Sophie Mankins Phoenix, AZ American Meteorological Society
Ron Baskett American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Ron Baskett is a seasoned meteorologist who began his journey in the field as a middle school student in Stockton, California, inspired by his science teacher, Mr. Hitt. He built a weather station, taking readings and developing a keen interest in meteorology. Baskett initially pursued civil engineering at UC Davis due to his fascination with maps but was inspired to switch to atmospheric science by Leonard Myrup and John Carroll from UCLA. Upon completing his undergraduate studies, Baskett found job opportunities scarce. However, he was offered a project by Dr.

Jinny Nathans Phoenix, AZ American Meteorological Society
Peter Neilley American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Peter Neilley is a renowned meteorologist who discovered his passion for the field at a young age. Growing up in the Northeast, he was fascinated by snowstorms and aspired to forecast them more accurately than the meteorologists he saw on television. Neilley pursued his interest in meteorology through high school and into college, attending McGill University for his undergraduate studies in meteorology. Despite his immersion in the field, he was unsure of his career path until his undergraduate advisor, Roddy Rogers, encouraged him to apply for graduate school at MIT, Rogers' alma mater.

Jinny Nathans Denver, CO American Meteorological Society
Peter Black American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Peter Black is a renowned meteorologist who has dedicated his life to the study of weather, particularly hurricanes and tropical storms. His interest in meteorology began at a young age, sparked by his experience with Hurricane Carol in Boston in 1955 when he was just 12 years old. This event ignited a fascination with the power of nature and led him to pursue a career in meteorology. Throughout his high school years, Black nurtured his interest in weather as a hobby. When it came time for college, he sought out a meteorology school where he could learn more about tropical storms.

Jinny Nathans Ponte Vedra, FL American Meteorological Society
Patricia Vollmer American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Patricia Vollmer is an accomplished meteorologist and educator with a rich history in the field of weather forecasting and numerical weather prediction. She is currently an assistant professor at the United States Air Force Academy, where she has the opportunity to discuss her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated discipline with prospective future meteorologists, Air Force officers, and pilots. Vollmer's journey in meteorology began at Penn State, where she studied from 1991 to 1995. During her undergraduate years, she was inspired by Dr.

Jinny Nathans Denver, CO American Meteorological Society
Nadia Bloemendaal American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Dr. Nadia Bloemendaal is a hurricane researcher and a professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands. She specializes in tropical meteorology, particularly in the areas of hurricane formation and intensity change. Dr. Bloemendaal earned her Ph.D. in atmospheric science from the University of Miami in 2011. Her research focuses on understanding the physical processes that control hurricane intensity, including the role of air-sea interactions, convection, and atmospheric dynamics.

Paula Hennon Ponte Vedra, FL American Meteorological Society