What's New at NOAA Research: April 2022
  • Spotlight on Women's History Month
  • Research Highlights, including the 2021 NOAA Science Report
  • People of NOAA Research, including a new director for Ocean Exploration
  • News from the Cooperative Institutes, including new research on sea level rise and wildfires
  • Innovation Corner, including a cool volunteer opportunity
  • Upcoming April events
*Note: the links we include in this newsletter are safe to click!*
NOAA Research Celebrates Women's History Month
"To me, [Women's History Month] means we take this opportunity to celebrate and share stories. These stories have always expanded my concept of what is possible and available to women in all fields. It gives me ideas of how to handle challenges and not be afraid to be myself while doing a job that I love."

-Lisa Bucci, hurricane research scientist at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory’s Hurricane Research Division.

March was Women's History Month, and NOAA Research celebrated by turning special attention to the women of NOAA through our #WomenofNOAA campaign on social media and research.noaa.gov. Check out the profiles online (including Nicole Besemer, seen in her diving gear in the photo above) and browse the #WomenofNOAA hashtag on Twitter.
Research Highlights
NOAA Science Report highlights 2021 climate, weather, ocean research
Launching the first ever national rip current forecast model, creating high-resolution sea ice information to improve navigation, and using artificial intelligence to process marine mammal calls: These are just a few of NOAA’s many notable scientific accomplishments from the past year. The newly released 2021 NOAA Science Report includes more than 60 stories like these - explore the report for more.
NOAA, partners discover wreck of 207-year-old whaling ship
NOAA and partners recently made an exciting discovery: The wreck of a 207-year-old whaling ship, called Industry, found on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. The remains of the 64-foot long, two-masted wooden brig opens a window into a little known chapter of American history when descendants of African enslaved people and Native Americans served as essential crew in one of the nation’s oldest industries.
Study previews how climate change may alter rain-making atmospheric rivers by 2100
A new study from the Physical Sciences Laboratory and Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences has found that climate change will likely alter atmospheric rivers in ways that will make managing water more difficult. This research is important because atmospheric rivers can be both beneficial -- when they provide water to fill reservoirs and build snowpack -- and calamitous -- when they generate so much precipitation over a short period of time that they cause flooding.
New research could improve sea level, climate prediction
Research by scientists at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory shows that changes in temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, called El Niño-Southern Oscillation, can help predict changes in the Florida Current that occur three months later. Scientists also conclude that ENSO’s influence on the Florida Current affects sea level on the eastern side of the Florida Straits.
WPO launches new internal social science site
The newly-released Weather Program Office Social Science Insite provides access to digestible social science research to empower forecasters and physical scientists to become social science ambassadors. This site acts as a centralized hub for relevant social science research findings, resources, webinars, and trainings. Check out the internal site for yourself.
How climate change could impact particulate pollution from Western Wildfires
Research from NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory has found that fine particulate pollution over the U.S. Pacific Northwest could double to triple during late summer to fall by the end of the 21st century under intermediate- and low-mitigation scenarios. The historic fires and resulting pollution of 2017–2020 could occur every 3 to 5 years under 21st century climate change, posing challenges for regional air quality management and threatening public health.
Two additional regions of Asia were sources of banned ozone-destroying chemicals
A follow-up investigation by NOAA and Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences scientists into the sudden increase in emissions of an ozone-destroying chemical between 2010 and 2018 has determined that three regions of Asia - not just one - were responsible for rising emissions of the banned chemical.
Icy cirrus clouds born from desert dust, massive airborne study finds
Every year, several billion metric tonnes of mineral dust are lofted into the atmosphere from the world’s arid regions, making dust one of the most abundant types of aerosol particles in the atmosphere. Now, scientists are learning that tiny bits of dust from the hottest and driest parts of the Earth are a surprisingly large driver in forming the delicate, wispy ice clouds known as cirrus in the cold, high-altitudes of the atmosphere.
Two funding opportunities open
In March, Sea Grant and Ocean Exploration both opened funding opportunities. Sea Grant's opportunity will support projects to address priority issues involving applied research and/or technological questions impacting the American lobster fishery. Ocean Exploration's opportunity is looking for proposals focused on ocean exploration and discovery, maritime heritage, and technology development. Check out the links above for details on both.
Scientists head to the Southeast to study tornadoes
In March, scientists from NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory set out on the PERiLS (Propagation, Evolution, and Rotation in Linear Storms) campaign in the Southeastern U.S. The campaign will deploy dozens of instruments to measure the atmosphere near and inside storms. Researchers will focus on quasi-linear convective systems — commonly known as squall-lines — that produce tornadoes.
People of NOAA Research
New NOAA Ocean Exploration Director Announced
On March 14, NOAA welcomed Jeremy Weirich as the new Director of NOAA Ocean Exploration. Jeremy is not new to the world of ocean exploration, as previously he served in the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps aboard ocean-going research and hydrographic vessels and coordinated underwater expeditions for NOAA Ocean Exploration. He supervised safe and efficient operations as the Okeanos Explorer operations officer, and managed the testing and product development of the new deepwater multibeam sonar mapping system.

Jeremy will relieve Dr. Genene Fisher, who has been serving as the acting Director of NOAA Ocean Exploration since May 2021. Genene will return to her Deputy Director role within the office. Learn more about Jeremy.
Meet NOAA GFDL's Elena Shevliakova
When Elena Shevliakova came to the United States from the former Soviet Union in the 1990s, the scientific process provided a great source of positivity and empowerment. Shevliakova is a physical scientist at the NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in Princeton, New Jersey. Learn more in this video.
Changing waters with Jan Newton
NOAA Ocean Acidification Program's Jan Newton is a biological oceanographer whose lifelong love of the Washington coast propelled her to an internationally recognized career. In this storymap, she shares her story, the importance of working together to address big challenges, and her vision for the future.

Cooperative Institute Highlights
Sea level rise threatens coastal housing markets
As sea level continues to rise, coastal properties across the country will be more prone to flooding in the coming decades—and the risk varies depending on location. A new study from researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, MO, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) and NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information examined how rising sea levels could impact four U.S. coastal metro areas: Atlantic City, NJ; Miami, FL; Galveston, TX; and Newport–San Pedro, CA.
U.S. fires four times larger, three times more frequent since 2000
Fires have gotten larger, more frequent and more widespread across the United States since 2000, according to a new CIRES Earth Lab-led paper. Recent wildfires have stoked concern that climate change is causing more extreme events, and the work published in Science Advances shows that large fires have not only become more common, they are also spreading into new areas, impacting land that previously did not burn.
Watch CIGLR's Great Lakes summer fellows video series
In partnership with NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR) hosts a cohort of students each summer to participate in the Great Lakes Summer Fellows Program. This new video series highlights CIGLR’s 2021 fellows, their research, and the virtual fellowship program that included career training opportunities to equip students with the knowledge and skills to be the next generation of Great Lakes scientists.
Innovation Corner
Calling all NOAA scientists and engineers!
Did you know NOAA has its very own version of Shark Tank? NOAA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program received over 200 proposals from small businesses vying for start-up funding to create innovative technologies that meet NOAA’s mission! Ideas included aerosol sensors, flood forecasting models, AI algorithms for aquaculture, climate STEM education tools, and much more. We need your expertise to determine which tech ideas NOAA should invest in this year! Add your name to the NOAA SBIR Reviewer Interest form today.
New Tech Watch: InSitu Methane Sensor by OptoKnowledge
This new methane sensor can determine both the concentration and the carbon isotope ratio of methane while operating in-situ at depth. The sensor was demonstrated in a CTD deployment last summer and will be used by NOAA researchers on a ROV in July 2022. The NOAA SBIR Program funds the development of new technologies that are available for sole source procurement. Visit our Technology Marketplace for the latest available tech.
NOAA renews research partnership with Jupiter Intelligence, Inc.
TPO’s Technology Transfer Program executed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between NOAA NOS and Jupiter Intel, a climate risk analytics company. The collaboration will help NOAA better understand how stakeholders currently use climate data. This partnership will also identify and move to address current barriers that partners face when integrating climate impacts and risks into planning and business operations. Learn more about NOAA CRADAs.
Upcoming Events
Apply to the OAR Graduate Studies Program (OAR-GSP)
Application Submission Deadline Extended! The OAR-GSP is a long-term academic program offering graduate level study at accredited educational institutions to provide OAR full-time permanent employees training opportunities that will advance their scientific, administrative, and technological skills in performance of their official duties. Complete application packages should be forwarded no later than Wednesday, April 13, 2022 to oar.training@noaa.gov. Please include the following label in the subject line: OAR_GSP Application: YOUR NAME
Management Skills for NOAA Supervisors (MSNS)
Reminder that the next NOAA’s Management Skills for NOAA Supervisors (MSNS) training is from May 16-20, 2022 (8:00 am Eastern start time). If seats are still available 2 weeks before the start date, Team Leads may register for the class during that time. Register for the course in the Commerce Learning Center.
Reminder: No FEAR Act Training due by June 30, 2022. This training is required for all federal employees, and can be completed in the Commerce Learning Center.
April tips from the OAR Behavioral Health and Wellness Chief
It’s time to spring forward this month! Daylight savings time is officially here and that means our days are longer, which allows us to soak up more Vitamin D. Here is an article that discusses more details about the sunshine vitamin.

Reintegration to the worksite remains a significant part of our daily dialogue. Have you thought about how you, your family, and your pet may react to the pending changes? How will your day change, and what resources can you put in place now to help prepare yourself and others? Another interesting read which discusses returning to workspaces can be found via NPR. If you have not done so already, talking to your supervisor, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) representative, or OAR’s Behavioral Health and Wellness Chief about reintegration can help you to plan and feel more prepared.

Did you know that Mindful-NOAA has free practice sessions every day of the workweek? There is also a mindful movement component which allows the opportunity for physical engagement. Check out their calendar.

If you have questions or need additional tips/support, please contact OAR’s Behavioral Health & Wellness Chief, Candice.Karber@noaa.gov, or 202.989.5472.
In the News
The Washington Post and New York Times covered the discovery of the 207-year-old whaling ship wreck by Ocean Exploration scientists.

E&E News uses NOAA data to explain why the South gets more killer tornadoes at night.
Social Media Post of the Month
It's officially winter time at the South Pole.

March 20 was the official date of the South Pole sunset, when the sun dips below the horizon, not to rise again for six long months. See the photos on NOAA Research's Instagram.
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