Astrid Suarez Gonzalez of Bowling Green, a junior meteorology major in WKU’s Department of Geography and Geology, has been awarded a summer 2009 research internship at the National Weather Center (NWC) in Norman, Okla.
Gonzalez was one of 10 students chosen from a pool of nearly 80 for the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded summer research experience for undergraduates (REU). Students will conduct research on topics related to the atmospheric sciences and will prepare and present papers reporting the results of their research. Student research will be supplemented by tours, field trips, and lectures. Housing, a travel allowance, and stipends are provided for each student.
Gonzalez also recently won first place in the undergraduate poster competition for the Physical Sciences at the 39th annual WKU Student Research Conference. Her poster was titled “Soil moisture analysis for the 2007 drought in the Southeastern Region of the United States” and her faculty advisor was Dr. Rezaul Mahmood.
According to Dr David Keeling, head of the Geography and Geology department, “since the introduction of the new B.S. Meteorology program in Fall 2007, the department has attracted several academically outstanding students who would not otherwise have attended WKU. Astrid exemplifies the dedication and desire needed to complete the academically rigorous professional meteorology program at WKU. She is researching issues critical for the development of sound agricultural, water, and soil management practices in the face of changing climate patterns in the region.”
Contact: Gregory Goodrich at (270) 745-5986.
