Ponte Vedra, FL

Interviewee Collection Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Chris Landsea American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Chris Landsea is a prominent meteorologist who has made significant contributions to the field of hurricane research. He began his career as a graduate student at Colorado State University in 1988, where he had the opportunity to work with the renowned scientist, Dr. Bill Gray. During his time as a student, Landsea had the unique opportunity to fly into hurricanes for research purposes. His first flight was into Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, which turned out to be the strongest hurricane ever observed at the time.

Jinny Nathans Ponte Vedra, FL American Meteorological Society
Daniel Gilford American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Daniel Gilford is an atmospheric scientist who has had a lifelong fascination with the power and impact of hurricanes. His interest in meteorology was sparked by his personal experiences with hurricanes in Florida during the 2004 hurricane season, when he was just fifteen years old. He vividly recalls the awe-inspiring power of Hurricane Jean, which caused a tree to crash down near his home. Gilford pursued his interest in meteorology at Florida State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree [3].

Jinny Nathans Ponte Vedra, FL American Meteorological Society
Mark Guishard American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Mark Guishard is a meteorologist who currently serves as the Director of the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS), a division of the Government of Bermuda's Ministry of National Security.

Jinny Nathans Ponte Vedra, FL 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
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
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
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
Lixion Avila American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

Lixion Avila is a senior forecaster at the National Hurricane Center with the longest tenure among the current forecasters. His interest in meteorology began on the north coast of Cuba, where he observed the weather's impact on the waves and the local mariners and farmers. He pursued his education in Havana and later at the University of Miami, where he earned his master's degree in 1984 and his PhD in 1993. Avila's career at the National Hurricane Center began when he was the youngest hurricane specialist in the United States.

Jinny Nathans Ponte Vedra, FL American Meteorological Society
James Franklin American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

James Franklin is a retired meteorologist who spent 35 years of his career with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). His tenure was divided between the Hurricane Research Division (HRD) and the National Hurricane Center. Franklin's journey in meteorology began at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he pursued his master's degree. His initial thesis was focused on the study of the New England coastal front. However, due to an unfortunate incident involving the loss of crucial data, he had to change his thesis topic.

Jinny Nathans Ponte Vedra, FL 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