Brian Inglis

Brian’s Research Summary Report:

This summer, at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, I worked on a research project titled “Radar Snowfall Estimation in Southern New England”. I received a computer to use from home 3 days a week and in the office twice a week. I would have daily meetings with my mentor from home, and we would corroborate on the project during the in-office workdays. I would shadow what he would do, double check his work, complete my own portions of the project, and make suggestions to further the project.

My mentor was passionate and very helpful. He ensured that I understood what he was doing and could reproduce and independently complete the work on my own. I met many other scientists throughout the summer, learned about their research, and made connections. It made me realize how interesting and self-fulfilling research can be.

The first eight weeks of the internship was solely for completing research, running computer programs, and making figures to share with colleagues in the atmospheric processes branch who would give me feedback. There was plenty of collaboration with others in my branch of about 30 other scientists, and with colleagues at the University of Connecticut, where the project’s field campaign was located. The latter two weeks of the internship were filled with presentations and finalizing our findings. I had two virtual presentations at NASA and one in person presentation at UMBC’s SURF fest. I was one of six picked from the 100 student presenters to do an oral presentation in front of everybody at UMBC’s SURF fest. Not only that but there was also a poster session there. I will also be finalizing a poster to share at this year’s annual AMS meeting in Baltimore.

Regarding my actual research, I found it so interesting that I enjoyed going to work every day to learn something new. I became an expert on the topic and look forward to teaching others what I have learned whether that be peers at school or scientists at conferences. This research is useful in verifying Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission satellite measurements of Snow Water Equivalent. Moreover, the research also has potential to be used by forecasters at the National Weather Service (NWS) and could greatly improve their performance in terms of snowfall amounts, which could save many lives and save businesses money. I am very thankful to be chosen to truly experience working at NASA this summer having seen how inspiring, fun, and casual a career in research can be when you are surrounded by other ambitious individuals.