Robert Serafin
American Meteorological Society Oral History Project
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On April 22, 2003, Richard Carbone interviewed Robert Serafin for a National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) oral history project. Serafin discusses his journey into atmospheric science, beginning with his early work in radar meteorology. He reflects on his time as the director of the Atmospheric Technology Division (ATD) at NCAR, his involvement in groundbreaking radar signal processing developments, and his contributions to radar technology used in meteorological research. Serafin highlights the challenges and successes of expanding NCAR’s field observing capabilities, including the development of the Portable Automated Mesonet and the establishment of research radar systems. He also compares the leadership styles of NCAR directors, particularly the visionary approach of Dave Atlas, and describes the influence of NCAR’s collaborations with the University of Chicago and Illinois Institute of Technology. Throughout the interview, Serafin emphasizes the importance of innovation, strategic planning, and collaboration in advancing atmospheric research.
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