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 Collection Sort ascending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
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
John Toohey-Morales American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

John Toohey-Morales is a renowned meteorologist known for his significant contributions to the field. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Toohey-Morales developed an interest in weather and atmospheric sciences at a young age, particularly influenced by the tropical cyclone threats that occasionally affected his homeland. His interest was further piqued by the devastating impact of Hurricane David in 1979, which led him to consider a career in meteorology. Toohey-Morales pursued his passion for atmospheric sciences at Cornell University.

Sophie Mankins Phoenix, AZ 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
Lakemariam Worku American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Lakemariam Worku is a 33-year-old atmospheric science PhD student from Ethiopia. He attended A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, and is currently working on his research. His interest in meteorology began in his childhood when he would visit a meteorology station with his friend whose father was a meteorology observer. This fascination led him to join the meteorology department at Arba Minch University in Ethiopia. After graduation, he worked for the national meteorology agency of Ethiopia for seven years before moving to the United States.

Jinny Nathans Unknown American Meteorological Society
Bruce Telfeyan American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Bruce Telfeyan is a seasoned meteorologist with a lifelong passion for weather and its scientific study. His interest in meteorology was sparked at a young age, around 11 years old, when he experienced a series of severe weather events including a big blizzard in March of 1960, Hurricane Donna in September of the same year, and three blizzards during the winter of 1960-61 while growing up on Long Island, about twenty miles east of Manhattan. Telfeyan's early fascination with weather led him to pursue a career in meteorology. His early mentor was Mr.

Jinny Nathans Denver, CO American Meteorological Society
Jack Beven American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Jack Beven is a Senior Hurricane Specialist at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, a position he has held since 1999. Prior to this, he worked as a marine aviation forecaster for five years in the tropical analysis forecast branch. Beven's academic background is in physics and meteorology. He earned his bachelor's degree in physics from Louisiana State University in 1984, followed by a master's degree in meteorology in 1988 and a PhD in 1994, both from Florida State.

Jinny Nathans Ponte Vedra, FL American Meteorological Society
Clifford Mass American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Clifford Mass is a renowned meteorologist who has had a significant impact on the field of atmospheric sciences. He has had a long and illustrious career, during which he has worked with some of the most influential figures in the field, including Carl Sagan, Steve Schneider, and Dick Reed. Mass began his career at Cornell, where he worked with Carl Sagan on a numerical model of the Martian atmosphere. This work resulted in his first publication, which was published in the Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences.

Jinny Nathans Denver, CO American Meteorological Society
Jordan Rabinowitz American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Jordan Rabinowitz is a Ph.D. student at the University of Missouri, specializing in meteorology. He is also the CEO and operations director of the Global Weather and Climate Center website, an organization dedicated to global weather, climate, and environmental education, communication, and awareness. Rabinowitz's interest in science and meteorology was sparked during his childhood in Long Island, where he developed a fascination with snowstorms. This fascination grew into an obsession, which eventually became a passion and led to his career in meteorology.

Jinny Nathans Ponte Vedra, FL American Meteorological Society
Brian Etherton American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Brian Etherton is a meteorologist who has worked extensively on climate modeling. He is currently a Principal Scientist at Vaisala, a Finnish company that provides environmental and industrial measurement solutions, where he leads the climate modeling team.

Jinny Nathans, Sophie Mankins Denver, CO American Meteorological Society
Mrinal Biswas American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Mrinal Biswas is a project scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. He initially pursued a bachelor's degree in mathematics before transitioning to applied science, earning a master's degree in geophysics. His interest in meteorology was sparked by a severe cyclone that hit Odisha, India, in 1999, causing a significant loss of life. This event, coupled with the influence of a professor who taught tropical meteorology, led him to specialize in this field. Biswas completed his master's degree in India and then moved on to his PhD.

Jinny Nathans Ponte Vedra, FL American Meteorological Society