RISE 2019 Conference

Jenni L. Evans is Professor of Meteorology & Atmospheric Science at the Pennsylvania State University, the Director of Penn State’s Institute for CyberScience (ICS), and the Centennial President of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) in 2019. Jenni’s research interests span hurricane evolution from genesis over tropical Africa or in the subtropics, the “extratropical transition” of hurricanes [events like Hurricane Sandy (2012)], interactions between hurricanes and the climate, climate change including its impacts on hurricanes, factors impacting the maximum intensity and structure of hurricanes, improving numerical model forecasts, catastrophe risk modeling (affecting hurricane insurance rates in Florida), and the “music of hurricanes.” Her research employs high performance computing, advanced statistical techniques, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and synthetic musical instruments. Dr. Evans is the current President of the American Meteorological Society, guiding the Society in its centennial year. Jenni is a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and was elected to its Council in 2005. Among the many roles she has held, she served on the US delegation to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) 2017 Science Summit. In 2014, Jenni co-chaired the WMO International Workshop on Tropical Cyclones, bringing together researchers and forecasters from around the globe. Jenni has also served as US representative for the WMO THORPEX Pacific Asian Regional Campaign. Her recent national service includes serving on the NSF Advisory Group for EarthCube the NSF Panel to review UCAR and the USRA Earth Science Council. For the last 15 years, she has served as the Lead Meteorologist on the Professional Team advising Florida’s Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology. The Pro Team conducts audits of the complex models used to determine risk exposure to insured hazards.