Meet Some of Our Students
Being part of the Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science at the University of Washington is an exhilarating journey. Students find themselves immersed in a captivating world of wonder and discovery, fueled by passionate and world-leading professors in the field, cutting-edge research, graduate students who are enthusiastic about mentoring undergraduate students, and a supportive community of staff. From engaging courses to vibrant clubs, from impactful research opportunities to valuable internships, our students and alumni have consistently praised the program for its transformative impact.
Current Students:
Matthew Pfab, Senior, Meteorology Option
It’s a privilege to be a student in the UW Atmospheric & Climate Science Department! In the 2026-27 school year, I am excited to serve as President of The UW Dawgcast, our student forecasting & communication club. Dawgcast has been the highlight of my experience in the department so far, and is a great opportunity to make friends and learn! As a lifelong Pacific Northwest resident interested in local weather since age 9, the opportunity to learn from those in this department is invaluable!
Zayna Haider, Senior, Chemistry & Air Quality Option
I chose to major in atmospheric science because of my interest in large scale climate processes, as well as the intersection between health and environmental sciences. I have greatly enjoyed my time as a student in this department. I have gained leadership skills as a two-time board member of the American Meteorological Society chapter at UW, grown close with my peers through small class sizes and club events, participated in outreach and departmental events, and developed laboratory skills in an atmospheric chemistry lab led by Dr. Becky Alexander.
Yiding Luo, Senior, Meteorology and Data Science Option
I have experienced a joyful and highly rewarding learning process in the ATMOS Department. I am currently working with Prof. Alexandra Anderson-Frey on machine learning-based models and high-impact weather events, with a particular focus on tornadoes. Through this invaluable research experience, I have had the opportunity to explore the relatively new and frontier field of applying artificial intelligence to meteorology. I am truly grateful that the resources provided by the Department have empowered me to take a significant step forward in predicting extreme weather events.
Recent Alumni:
Isabella Showman, Class of 2026, BS in ATMOS with the Climate Option
My experience as an ATMOS undergraduate student has allowed me to connect with professors and has given me the necessary foundation to pursue opportunities for research beyond the classroom. During my time at UW I have researched dissolved oxygen vulnerability thresholds, done a study abroad in Chile studying Earth’s ecosystems and climate, researched small-scale sea ice extent through an internship with NASA’s Student Airborne Research Program, and studied abnormal crater features in western Siberia using satellite imagery with Professor Turner. I’m currently a post-baccalaureate researcher continuing to work on detection methods of these gas emission craters with Professor Turner.
Laura Pong, Class of 2026, BS in ATMOS with the Data Science Option
I’m really grateful for all the opportunities being an undergraduate student at this department has provided. In particular, the chance to conduct research with Professor Swann, Professor Turner, and graduate student James Yoon has been the highlight of my college experience. I’m really honored to be a part of such a welcoming community!
Coco Lipe, Class of 2026, BS in ATMOS with the Climate option and the Chemistry & Air Quality Option
Being a part of the Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science undoubtedly defined my experience at UW. Small course sizes allowed me to develop close bonds with many of my classmates, many of whom have become lifelong friends. While I began college broadly interested in climate science, taking departmental courses on air pollution and conducting research in atmospheric chemistry catalyzed my interest in air quality, which led me to my postgraduate role in air quality modeling at Ramboll!
Nicholas Shepard, Class of 2025, BS in ATMOS with the Meteorology Option
Atmospheric and Climate Science at UW provides priceless relationships with world-class experts and professionals. By sharing (relatively small!) ATMOS classes with the same students quarter after quarter, I developed close bonds with my peers and enjoyed ample opportunity to nerd out about weather and climate. Involvement in the department Weather Challenge team, the UW Dawgcast and undergraduate research, as well as completion of a volunteership with NWS Seattle & Spokane served as opportunities to put into practice the knowledge I gained in the classroom. I’m currently still in the department as an MS student researching improvements to simulations of warm rain microphysics.
Alyssa Tou, Class of 2025, BS in ATMOS with the Chemistry & Air Quality Option
My independent research project on Iodine enrichment in the Alexander lab is a standout in my Atmospheric and Climate Science undergrad journey. Guided by PI Becky Alexander and grad students Yuk Chun Chan and Alli Moon, I’ve gained crucial skills in wet lab techniques, instrument operation, and coding. Thanks to this experience, I’ve become more independent in research and gained confidence in my problem-solving, preparing me for future work in air quality.
John Cramblitt, Class of 2025, BS in ATMOS with the Climate option
The ATMOS program is a welcoming and supportive environment for undergraduates, with a strong mentoring culture and excellent professional and research opportunities. Comprehensive coursework across meteorology and climate science is taught by friendly and knowledgeable faculty, who genuinely care about their students. I’m especially grateful for the program’s support in my transition to graduate school at UC Berkeley, where I study tropical climate dynamics and seasonality in Earth’s climate.
Jared McGlothlin, Class of 2024, BS in ATMOS, Meteorology Option
The atmospheric and climate science program allowed me to learn how the atmosphere works, covering topics ranging from the ozone hole to hurricane formation. During my time at ATMOS, I was able to get involved in broadcast meteorology, impactful wildfire research, and cross-college collaboration, as well as internships with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Washington Department of Natural Resources. I am currently pursuing a graduate degree in atmospheric sciences at Colorado State University.
Haley Lowes-Bicay, Class of 2024, BS in ATMOS, Climate Option
The Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science at UW is an amazing department. I wanted to participate in research going into college and this led me to a paid research position to study 4 million-year-old ice from Antarctica! I also joined the UW Dawgcast and got to know other students who were not in my classes. I am now pursuing a PhD in Oceanography at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, studying Atmospheric River forecasting models. I couldn’t have made it here without the UW Atmos department!
Ryan Boyd, Class of 2023, BS in ATMOS with the Climate Option & the Chemistry and Air Quality Option
My experience with ATMOS opened up opportunities I would never have imagined. I maintained solar irradiance instruments, did a field research course in the Colorado Rockies, and studied methane plumes in Turkmenistan using satellite imagery. I was an intern with the NASA Student Airborne Research Program. I am now a Ph.D. student in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Princeton, where I combine my love of fieldwork with my fascination with air quality.
Abi King, Class of 2023, BS in ATMOS Meteorology Option
The UW ATMOS program is filled with a welcoming and enthusiastic community of peers and professors and so many engaging hands-on experiences! Being able to explore weather communication and green screens with the Dawgcast and gain valuable skills through undergraduate research was so exciting and rewarding. This program spurred on my passion for weather. After wrapping up working as an operational meteorologist for Weathernet, I am looking forward to my next weather adventure!
Anthony Edwards, Class of 2023, BS in ATMOS Meteorology Option
Besides the comprehensive curriculum, UW Atmospheric Sciences provided me with numerous opportunities to grow my meteorological skills that shaped me into a successful professional. My favorite memories include lunchtime forecast discussions, sponsored lectures, impromptu conversations with faculty, and American Meteorological Society meetings and conferences. My career as the newsroom meteorologist at the San Francisco Chronicle would not have been possible without the UW Dawgcast.
Noah Asch, Class of 2022, BS in ATMOS Meteorology Option
UW ATMOS was a purposeful and productive experience. Impactful relationships with professors and classmates helped me pursue research opportunities in extreme weather and establish a volunteer program between the National Weather Service and UW ATMOS! Currently, I am at Carnegie Mellon University pursuing my PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering, with a focus on improving aerosol-cloud interactions. Additionally, I am an intern at Reflective, working on the modeling of geoengineering techniques.
Luke Ransom, Class of 2022, BS in ATMOS Meteorology Option.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the UW Atmospheric Sciences program! The student community was small which provided the perfect opportunity to make close friends, many of which I’m still in touch with to this day! The challenging coursework was taught by some of the best faculty and graduate students in the world; I remember fondly the countless hours spent in Professor Hakim’s office learning the complexity of wind dynamics, and Professor Mass’ lectures on forecasting and aviation meteorology. Upon graduation I commissioned into the U.S. Navy and have since been completing Naval flight training; flying the Cessna 172, T-6B Texan II, and soon the T-45C Goshawk.