2019 AMS Annual Meeting

Keynote Speaker

Melissa Burt
Research Scientist
Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University

The role of women leaders in the weather, water and climate enterprise has grown over the last several decades, and continues to evolve. This topic has garnered much attention across the scientific community here and abroad.

Keynote Bio

Melissa A. Burt

Melissa A. Burt is a research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on the interactions of Arctic clouds, radiation, and sea ice, with interests ranging from cloud–radiation feedbacks, to hydrological and energy cycles in climate, to climate change feedbacks. She has authored or coauthored publications in atmospheric science and diversity and education. She has published in journals including BAMS, the Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, the Journal of Climate, EOS, PLOS One, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Burt also serves as the education and diversity manager in the Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering and Department of Atmospheric Science. In this role, she is working to enhance understanding of global climate through K–12, undergraduate, and graduate study as well as informal education and to the broader public. Burt is committed to improving and increasing diversity in STEM by designing programs to encourage participation and increase access and retention for members of historically underrepresented groups. Previously she was the education and diversity manager for the NSF Science and Technology Center for Multi-scale Modeling of Atmospheric Processes. During this time, she had a tremendous track record of recruiting diverse students into a highly competitive, inclusive, and supportive Research Experience for Undergraduates Program at Colorado State University and supporting them as they matriculated into graduate school.

Burt received her B.S. degree in meteorology from Millersville University of Pennsylvania and her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in atmospheric science from Colorado State University.

Burt has been very active in diversity and inclusion activities within AMS and beyond. She was a member of the AMS Board on Women and Minorities and served as chair from 2014 to 2016. She also serves on the board of directors for the nonprofit organization, the Earth Science Women’s Network (ESWN). ESWN is an international peer-mentoring network of women in the Earth sciences, many of whom are in the early stages of their careers. Their mission is to promote career development, build community, provide opportunities for informal mentoring and support, and facilitate professional collaborations.

All are encouraged to attend the 2019 Women in the Atmospheric Sciences Luncheon. For more information, contact the AMS Board on Women and Minorities (BWM) Chair Mona Behl ([email protected]) or Past Chair Melissa Burt ([email protected]). RSVP is not required.