NAE Citation:
"For the development of potent radar methods
that have greatly improved operational weather detection and warning and
advanced meteorological research."
NOAA Senior Scientist elected to National Academy of Engineering
We know him as our resident Serbian. His unmistakable, thickly-accented booming voice has been resounding through the halls of NSSL since 1973. A windsurfing board is usually strapped to the top of his Dodge Caravan (one inside the car too), and his sunglasses hang around his neck with a cork tied into the strap so they'll float when he goes straight from work to the lake. He is fearless, eccentric, and a brilliant scientist.
Dusan Zrnic, NOAA/NSSL senior scientist has received the high honor of having been elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Under the NAE charter, the group is directed "whenever called upon by any department or agency of the government to investigate, examine, experiment, and report upon any subject of science or art." Election to the academy is a wonderful acknowledgement of Dusan's achievements, since membership is limited to around 1400, and competition is great. "I know of few people who are equally deserving," says colleague David Atlas, instrumental in Dusan's election and also a member of the NAE.
Ironically, weather is not his passion. "I admire those beautiful huge storms, but I can't say that I'm a weather freak." Dusan studied Electrical Engineering in Yugoslavia, and then hopped a freighter to the U.S. when he learned "the opportunities for graduate studies in the U.S. would be better." His career in radar began when he realized the radar echoes the military considered "junk" were actually weather information that could be used to understand and predict storms. Dusan brought his ideas to NSSL and helped lead research in Doppler techniques to recognize radar signatures of hazardous weather phenomena. From his contributions to early understanding of tornado wind speeds measured by Doppler radar, to the measurements of precipitation with polarimetric radar, "His work has not only benefited the field of radar meteorology, but also the American people because of the lives saved with the technology he helped develop," says Jeff Kimpel, NSSL Director.
Besides developing technology that saves lives, Dusan inspires lives too. John Snow, OU Dean of the College of Geosciences says, "He has been an exceptional adjunct professor in the School of Meteorology and the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Dusan has taught numerous classes and mentored many OU students." One of the students impacted by Dusan was Robert Palmer. Dusan was one of Palmer's Electrical Engineering Ph.D. advisors. "It has been an honor to work with him as a student and now a colleague," says Palmer, who is now a Professor in the OU school of meteorology. "His attitude toward scholarly activities and personal life has been a great example of balance."
Dusan works hard and plays hard. He has co-written a book with colleague R.J. Doviak, "Doppler Radar and Weather Observations," been awarded a patent for a novel method to obtain polarimetric information, and is known to check the Doppler winds at Lake Thunderbird 17km from the KOUN1 radar for windsurfing conditions. Skiing, hiking mountains, and triathlon are other hobbies he claims, but Dusan's true passion is for art and music. "If I could have another life I would have studied painting," he muses. Dusan is a member of several art guilds at OU. He also studied piano for many years and loves folk and ballroom dancing -- and singing and character acting in musicals. "Music would be another vocation I missed," he says.
Dusan's passion and drive has benefited the
entire country, and NSSL is privileged to celebrate this honor with him.