They faced significant odds, working with rudimentary technology. They inspired us to believe we could accomplish anything. They made us proud to be Americans. Millions watched in awe as Apollo 11 made its historic landing on the moon 50 years ago. The audience included a small group of men and women with ties to Colorado State University who would follow them – into space or underwater sea laboratories or as…

Atmospheric science graduate students Jingyuan Li and Rung Panasawatwong will receive funding from the Assisting Students, Cultivating Excellence, Nurturing Talent (ASCENT) program to pursue research opportunities outside the United States. This department scholarship was established to enrich the graduate experience, often through international travel. Li, a Ph.D. student in Professor Dave Thompson’s research group, will use her funding to travel to Bergen, Norway for two months this fall to work…

Constantly changing, complex atmospheric variables make weather notoriously difficult to predict. However, accurately forecasting severe weather and effectively communicating that information are critical for protecting lives and preventing property damage. “Even as weather forecasts are steadily improving, there are still fundamental limits on predicting the future weather,” said Colorado State University Atmospheric Science Professor Russ Schumacher. “Furthermore, there are still a lot of questions about how best to produce and…

Ph.D. student Rick Schulte's proposal was among 59, out of the 428 earth science projects reviewed this year, chosen to receive funding through the Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology program. FINESST grants are for student-designed research projects that contribute to NASA's Science Mission Directorate goals. Schulte applied for the grant because he needed funding to pursue a research project idea for his Ph.D. prospectus. The…

Colorado State University’s Graduate Student Council has chosen Atmospheric Science Assistant Professor Kristen Rasmussen for this year’s Graduate Advising and Mentorship Award. The award recognizes outstanding mentors around campus and honors their impact on students. Winners are selected based on nominations by CSU graduate students across all disciplines. “[Rasmussen] is caring, supportive and encouraging both professionally and personally, which has fostered a really positive environment for her students,” said Zach…