Everyone knows the standard introduction around here. Name, major, where are you from, and a fun fact. I have the same set of responses that anyone who’s had a class with me — or any place with introductions — has heard. Mark Krupinski, Computational Science, Hudson Valley in Upstate New York, and I track hurricanes. Two of those responses usually get some raised eyebrows: computational science and hurricanes.
I’ve tracked hurricanes since I was seven years old — I started back in 2005. I was obsessed with weather growing up and still am today. Back in elementary school, I would watch The Weather Channel for hours on end. My favorite part was the Tropical Update at 50 past the hour. I would love the small five-minute blurb on the magnificent storms that would ravage across the Atlantic Ocean. Growing from simply watching the National Hurricane Center forecast, in recent years I began to look deeply at the factors that would affect hurricanes. What would make them travel in the way they do? What would cause them to intensify — and weaken?
Recently, Hurricane Dorian struck the Caribbean, Bahamas, southeastern United States, and Atlantic Canada. Suffice it to say, it was a travesty. Dorian is the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the Atlantic Ocean by maximum wind speed (185 miles per hour) — and it had parts of the northwestern Bahamas enduring Category 5 winds (more than 156 miles per hour) for more than 20 hours. Devastating.
Aside from the devastation, I had a great time trying to track the storm. Looking at various weather model runs, examining the atmosphere for intensification, looking at the upper level dynamics on how the storm could move. Each time I track a big storm like Dorian, I learn a little bit more about how hurricanes work — and we all do. Dorian puzzled professional forecasters in the National Hurricane Center. Initially, they were skeptical of Dorian becoming a tropical storm, let alone one of the strongest hurricanes ever in the Atlantic. There’s so much to learn, and it’s an exciting field. I enjoy being able to share a small part of my passion with everyone.
Oh, and on my major. My somewhat unique major. I think there’s around three of us left at the school. They stopped letting people who came to Stevens after Fall 2018 into the major. Telling people that it’s in the math department is usually a good enough explanation of this rare major. It’s a great fit for me.
Either way, I love the opportunity to share one of my favorite niche topics. I don’t mind those awkward introductions. Introductions are a lot better when you can share something insightful, something unique about yourself. Most people hate the generic introductions, but I don’t mind it. I enjoy the small, short opportunity to share something that I am passionate about. Find your passion and don’t be afraid to scream it.
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