Curtis Walker
Statement of Purpose
Thus far during my undergraduate years, my research experience has been brief;
however, participation in a few unique opportunities coupled with my personal
background has inspired my current professional ambitions. My current desire is to
pursue my Master’s Degree and subsequent PhD. in Meteorology and the Atmospheric
Sciences. I have a passion for working with Weather Risk Assessment in regards to
Transportation Management. I grew up in New York City, one of the world’s busiest
hubs for all forms of transportation; air, land, and sea. Unfortunately, I have all too often
witnessed motorists who should have heeded hazardous weather statements during
crippling snowstorms. In addition, summertime squalls pose the risk of suddenly taking
commuters by surprise and leaving them no choice but to press on in a potentially
blinding rain. For these reasons, I strongly believe that the gap between knowledge and
effective communication to the masses needs to be abridged and the transportation
realm is one primary battleground.
My research experience at my institution, the State University of New York
College at Oneonta, has encompassed different aspects of Climatology. During my first
year, I conducted research into Paleoclimatology, or the study of past climates.
Specifically, I investigated the methods of how various forms of proxy data are
collected, analyzed, and used to construct the larger picture of previous conditions. The
proxies I investigated included ice cores, dendrochronology (tree rings), and phenology
(plants and animals). This project was performed for a course instructed by my advisor,
Dr. Jerome Blechman. Sophomore year I conducted another research project for a
course instructed by Dr. Todd Ellis on Oceanography. This project was an investigation
into Ocean Current-Climate Interactions involving the Gulf Stream during such dramatic
climate events such as the Little Ice Age. In addition, I was investigating the future
repercussions of events triggered by global warming. My findings indicated that
increased freshwater influx disrupted the Thermohaline Circulation during the Little Ice
Age resulting in an equatorward shift of the Gulf Stream. A similar occurrence due to
melting polar ice caps could be possible which would spell a cooler climate and disaster
for agricultural production in regions of the North Atlantic.
During the summer of 2010, I was extremely grateful to participate in a research
internship with the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) funded by
the National Science Foundation (NSF). This program was the Significant Opportunities
in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS). My research at the National Center for
Atmospheric Research High Altitude Observatory (NCAR – HAO) was an investigation
into techniques to remove aerosols from images obtained of the sun’s corona, or
atmosphere. Ground-based solar instrumentation must look through the depth of our
atmosphere and that included aerosols. My mentor, Dr. Scott Sewell, urged me to
always consider the larger repercussions associated with any research that your
perform. In terms of this project, little is known about the mechanics of the sun’s corona,
and it constantly emits radiation into space. Periodically, it releases extreme quantities
that can damage our satellite infrastructure.
Our society is often unaware of the dangers we live with on a daily basis. Both
my climate research and SOARS research have encouraged me to connect the
sciences with society. As previously mentioned, my Ocean Current-Climate project
stressed the dangers to agricultural interests along regions that are currently reaping
the benefits associated with the Gulf Stream. My image processing research was
ultimately to promote better understanding of the dangers presented by the sun. I feel
as though society does not understand the dangers that scientists are well aware of.
When one researches a topic, he or she often gains a newfound admiration and respect
for the subject. However, it is that individual’s duty to ensure that respect is transmitted
to the masses. I have been fortunate to come to this realization early in my career, and
therefore seek to optimize the time that I have to truly affect the sciences and society for
the better.
It is my hope to continue participation with the SOARS program for the next three
summers to pursue my interests in Transportation Management-Weather Risk
Assessment and communicating the knowledge scientists have obtained into something
useable by the general public. I believe this research opportunity and my subsequent
graduate school training will not only help me to succeed in my personal goal, but also
satisfy the mission of scientists to protect, serve, and most importantly; educate.