Assistant Professor - Meteorology/Geography
Mississippi State University
Current Research in Meteorology/Geography
The Brief Vulnerability Overview Tool (BVOT)
I am currently part of a research team working on testing a new vulnerability tool that National Weather Service forecasters and Emergency Managers could use to improve their warning and messaging during severe weather events. For more information about the BVOT please visit our ArcGIS StoryMap.
Weather Radar Perception
My goals for conducting research within the areas of risk/hazard perception and communication are to positively impact the lives of the general public and ensure that they will have access to clear and concise messaging and graphics. As such, my past research focused on determining what factors motivate Tampa Bay residents to use a weather radar display and how useful a radar display is perceived to be as a source of information. This study also examined how people construe distance and time when using a weather radar display and what decisions are made as a result of viewing radar. This research used a mixed-methods approach, combining data collected from an online survey instrument and data from 30 in-person interviews. The results of these studies could be used to show how radar technology influences individuals’ preparedness and response to weather events which will also address goals outlined by the National Academy of Sciences.
Hurricane Evacuation Research
I was on a research team for several years that surveyed populations during active hurricane evacuations. I helped to collect data during hurricanes Matthew (2016), Irma (2017), and Dorian (2019). This type of data collection is fast-paced and requires a lot of quick decision making.
Some of this data collection resulted in research measuring the social connections of evacuees from Hurricane's Irma and Matthew as well as a study that analyzed the perceptions of hurricane track forecasts for several U.S. landfalling hurricanes.