On August 22, 2006, Joe Tribbia interviewed Melvyn Shapiro at NCAR in Boulder, Colorado. In this interview, Shapiro reflects on his early life, including his childhood in New York and his family’s move to Sarasota, Florida, where he encountered cultural differences. He shares his experience in high school and his initial lack of interest in academics, despite his eventual development of an interest in meteorology. Shapiro describes his academic journey, including his enrollment at Florida State University, his involvement in the music program, and his struggles in his early years, particularly with calculus. However, his interest in meteorology persisted, and he pursued it alongside his musical ambitions.

Shapiro details his graduate school experience, during which he faced challenges in his coursework and developed a deep interest in atmospheric science. His work focused on mesoscale meteorology, and he conducted significant research related to tropical systems and vertical motion analysis. Shapiro reflects on the collaborative nature of meteorological research, citing key mentors and colleagues, including Chuck Jordan and Seymour Hesse, who shaped his approach. He also discusses fieldwork experiences, including a notable 23-day research expedition at sea during which he took atmospheric observations.

Through his academic and professional endeavors, Shapiro emphasizes the value of perseverance and the evolution of his research techniques, which ultimately contributed to advancements in weather prediction models. He concludes by discussing his transition to professional meteorology, which led to significant contributions in mesoscale analysis and tropical meteorology.