Research Scientist Reflects on 25 Years of Shaping Weather Science Leaders

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NORMAN, OKLA. – For more than a quarter-century, the University of Oklahoma’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program in the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences has equipped undergraduate students from across the nation with intensive, hands-on research experiences.

Since 1991, this National Science Foundation-funded program has welcomed nearly 350 participants from more than 100 colleges and universities, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in meteorology and related fields. Alumni have led research on tornado formation, launched successful weather technology companies, and contributed to major field campaigns.

“Some of the brightest minds in the field have walked through this program,” said Daphne LaDue, senior research scientist at OU’s Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms, who has directed the program since 2001. “What we do here changes lives, and the ripple effects of that impact are felt across science, policy and industry.”

Known as REU, this experience is built around a ten-week summer program where students conduct original research under the mentorship of OU and NOAA scientists. The most recent cohort included 14 undergraduates.

“Many of our participants come from institutions where research opportunities are limited,” LaDue said. “By the end of the program, they’ve not only gained research skills, but also confidence, career clarity and a sense of belonging in the scientific community. Sometimes they also experience what I call ‘happy confusion,’ which is when their eyes are opened to career opportunities that they hadn’t heard of.”

In the past, REU projects have spanned meteorology, radar technology, climate science, computer science, psychology and communications. Participants tour facilities like OU’s Advanced Radar Research Center, the National Weather Center and the FAA Academy. They have also had the opportunity to present their findings at the American Meteorological Society’s annual meeting.

The program’s influence was on full display during a recent “REUnion” event, a cleverly named gathering that brings together REU alumni across generations. Held at the National Weather Center this June, the REUnion welcomed back about 70 attendees. Keynote speakers included retired Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet, the former acting administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Mike Eilts, entrepreneur and former leader at NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory.

“This is absolutely the most rewarding aspect of my career,” said LaDue, who in 2020 received the Robert H. and Joanne Simpson Mentorship Award from the American Meteorological Society for her leadership. “And as I begin passing the torch to Alex Marmo, I know the program’s future is in good hands.”

Marmo, a research associate and co-PI of REU, hopes the program’s funding continues to support up-and-coming weather researchers. They plan to resubmit a new five-year funding proposal to the NSF later this year.

“Working with these undergraduate researchers is so rewarding because they bring new, exciting and innovative ideas, so halting a program like this would be really detrimental,” Marmo said. “Watching them take advantage of such a great experience and seeing how it could change the trajectory of their careers is really meaningful and important.”

Learn more about the REU program and watch a video featuring REU alumni and mentors.