From Hurricanes to Lightning Strikes, Florida Tech Researchers Chase Extreme Weather

Florida Tech Scientists and Engineers Focus on the Power of Mother Nature

Summertime is the season for extreme weather around the country. While many would see this as a downside to planning days on the beach or on the links, several Florida Tech faculty await summer weather to continue their research on areas such as storm surge, lightning strikes and hurricanes – or the fallout from these events, including structural damage and psychological distress.

Here are some areas our faculty are actively researching:

• Marine meteorology and coastal beach erosion due to storm surge: George Maul, professor of oceanography and fellow of the American Meteorological Society.
• The science of hurricanes, coastal meteorology, wind and wave modeling, thunderstorms and climate: Steven Lazarus, professor of ocean sciences.
• Lightning science, from formation to ground strikes: Nag Assistant, professor of physics and space sciences.
• Wind damage to structures; storm mitigation measures; safeguarding home, business and infrastructure; and post-storm cleanup: Albert Bleakley, associate professor of construction management.
• Evacuation decisions and transportation issues: Rodrigo Mesa-Arango, assistant professor, head of Transportation Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management.
• Psychological effects before and after an extreme weather event, and managing stress: Victoria Follette, chair and professor of clinical psychology.

Studying extreme weather phenomena not only moves science forward, but can help pave a path to possible solutions for keeping people, places and things safe.