Martin Awarded NSF Career Grant

Martin Awarded NSF Career Grant

Dr. Elinor Martin, a School of Meteorology Assistant Professor & Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies, has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER grant. Dr. Martin will use the support to advance our understanding and the ability to predict precipitation variability and what’s called “Science Identity” for students.

“Precipitation can vary on time scales from minutes to centuries and can significantly impact a variety of sectors including water resources, managed and natural ecosystems, and public health,” said Martin. “With the variability of precipitation increasing across much of the globe, it is vital that we advance our understanding and be able to predict features of this variability such as changes to the annual cycle, rapid transitions between wet and dry conditions, and extreme events across North America.”

“Science Identity” is the ability of students to see themselves as scientists in the workforce. “Our project will build students’ identity within atmospheric science to contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive STEM community,” said Dr. Martin. She has developed a plan in which education will be integrated with the research, using videos to build climate literacy and to spotlight scientists of various backgrounds to help students build their science identity. She also plans to host “Precip-a-Thon”, where prospective meteorology students can visit the University of Oklahoma, and through videos and precipitation data, be introduced to research early. Dr. Martin believes that the “synergy among components, including engaging students in research and using research in education and recruiting materials, will amplify their effects and quicken the pace of scientific discovery while enhancing STEM education and climate literacy in Oklahoma and beyond.”

The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious awards in support of the early career-development activities of those teacher-scholars who most effectively integrate research and education within the context of the mission of their organization. Such activities should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of integrated contributions to research and education. The proposal “reflects NSF’s statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation’s intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria”, according to the Award Abstract, and Dr. Martin’s team has been awarded nearly one million dollars.

UPDATE August 18, 2020: An excellent feature on Dr. Martin appeared in Sooner Magazine. You can read it here: https://soonermag.oufoundation.org/stories/rainy-day-woman