Spotlight on: NSSL Staff

NSSL began with a research meteorologist and a radar engineer in an abandoned WW II barrack on what was known as "North Base" in Norman in 1964. NSSL grew quickly to a staff of about three dozen by 1967 and moved to its current facility in 1972. Today NSSL's employees (federal and CIMMS, and contractors) number over a hundred, and they are looking ahead to a move to new facilities next year.

NSSL has always attracted world-class scientists and engineers, and through the years they have made landmark developments and discoveries--always with the goal to save lives from the impact of severe weather. The real story here is the people.

Dusan Zrnic, NOAA Senior Research Scientist working on dual-polarization techniques, said, "Probably the most important part initially for me was that this high technology, very sophisticated radar equipment would be used for bettering humankind, and that was a very attractive thing that made me decide to come to NSSL. Then, I found out most other people who came here shared this kind of commitment and devotion for bettering the forecasts and helping the public, probably the highest and best reason."

The thread to help others runs through NSSL's employees. Dave Rust, Chief of NSSL's Forecast Research and Development Division, said, "Over the past two decades, being a scientist at the laboratory has allowed me to do research and help others to do research that has not only increased scientific knowledge but has improved forecasting." Dave is usually the one showing school children how to launch a weather balloon during NSSL's open houses.

Terry Schuur, Research Meteorologist with the Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies (CIMMS) working at NSSL, says, "This is the place that I think anybody would want to be if they did severe storms work. I think it's a tremendous opportunity because I work with some of the best people in the field and frankly I can't think of any place I'd rather be working." Terry was one of the principal scientists in JPOLE, an operational demonstration that proved that polarimetric data could be valuable in forecasting operations. As a result, the NWS plans to upgrade the national WSR- 88D network with polarimetric capabilities.

Dave Stensrud heads NSSL's Models and Assimilation Team, which works to improve forecasts of severe and hazardous events through data assimilation and model techniques. Dave says, "The people here are spectacular, they're talented and dedicated individuals. I enjoy interacting with them and basically working toward a common goal."

What is NSSL's greatest asset? "It's the people," says Jeff Kimpel. "The people are doing such wonderful science, they work so well together, they're doing really important things...It's a privilege for me to be their director."