Space Science and Engineering Center University of Wisconsin-Madison

Nuo Chen, an undergraduate student at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology was selected as the first recipient of the William L. Smith, Sr. Graduate Scholarship. Credit: Nuo Chen

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) is pleased to announce Nuo Chen as the first recipient of the William L. Smith, Sr. Graduate Scholarship.

Chen will pursue a Ph.D. in the UW’s Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS) and collaborate with CIMSS researchers to study tropical cyclone intensification and methods for improving their forecasts through data assimilation. She is currently completing an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology in China.

Offered through the cooperative agreement between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the UW-Madison that supports CIMSS, the scholarship was established to advance NOAA’s education mission and strengthen its commitment to improving public safety through more accurate weather prediction. Chen’s proposed research and commitment to improving quality of life aligns with this mission.

“Chen’s research epitomizes the essence of the William L. Smith, Sr. Graduate Scholarship,” says CIMSS Director Tristan L’Ecuyer. “She will be developing innovative ways to combine NOAA’s satellite observations and weather models to improve hurricane forecasts, provide more accurate information to public safety officials, and ultimately minimize damage and save lives.”

The award honors the career of Dr. Smith, an alumnus and emeritus professor of AOS, who is credited with developing and advancing the remote sounding capabilities of the global satellite observing system over the last 40 years.

The Smith Graduate Scholarship is awarded based on academic merit, research experience and alignment of the student’s research interests with the missions of CIMSS and NOAA. It provides up to three years of support for a graduate research assistantship in CIMSS and AOS.