Shirley Murillo

Shirley Murillo

In our ever-changing discipline, AMS serves as a beacon that unites its members from the government, academia, and private sectors. Our current challenge in today’s landscape is raising public awareness. As AMS nears its 100th anniversary, it stands the test of time by sharing sound science with the world. With new advances in technology, the society needs to continue to embrace new methods to showcase our science in order to remain current. More and more often we receive information through our phones, tablets, and computers. Real-time atmospheric data is now available at our fingertips. AMS should increase the public’s science literacy by providing vignettes of our cutting-edge science using the latest social media outlets. This can include papers of note from our journals and fundamental weather concepts for teachers and students. AMS is also uniquely positioned to inform policymakers on our emerging science and elevate crucial environmental issues to Congress. The more we educate our community, the greater their understanding becomes to make intelligent decisions. As an AMS Councilor, I would promote these new efforts.

I joined AMS as a student member and continue to see the membership grow in this vein. AMS should work toward increasing students’ participation in the Society. Student members represent the future leaders of our field, and the investments we make now will have a long-term positive impact on our Society. AMS should continue to support the scholarship and conference travel grant programs and build on the success to allow for more students to be awarded. It was these types of programs that I found invaluable as a student and kept me engaged with the Society.

AMS must strive to foster a greater international presence. AMS remains the preeminent worldwide professional meteorological society, but how do we extend our scientific achievements to developing countries? With our diverse membership, we should establish partnerships to build the capacity for countries to learn and use AMS programs to better serve their communities. The environmental issues we face are also worldwide, and it is only natural for AMS to share and disseminate our scientific work. As councilor I would work with our international members to identify key issues that the Society can address.

Finally, our AMS Annual Meeting is a monster of a meeting! There are a number of symposia and themed conferences that have grown in attendance that should branch off on their own. This would allow for fewer concurrent sessions and a more streamlined meeting. Addressing these challenges can only strengthen the Society for future success to both the staff and the membership. I would be honored to serve on the AMS Council.

Shirley Murillo

Shirley Murillo is a research meteorologist for NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division (HRD), located at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory in Miami, Florida. Born in Miami, she received her B.S. degree in meteorology from Florida State University and her M.S. degree in meteorology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. At HRD, she currently manages the Observing System Simulation Experiment (OSSE) science team, which investigates quantitative/rational basis for observing system design decisions, data assimilation, and forecast modeling decisions; risk-reduction strategies for significant observing system investments; and ways to optimize NOAA’s observing system portfolio within resource and time constraints. Shirley also participates in numerous research flights into tropical cyclones aboard NOAA’s WP-3D and G-IV aircraft over the Atlantic basin and Gulf of Mexico. In 2011 and 2012, Shirley was the Field Program Director for NOAA’s Hurricane Field Program, where she was responsible for organizing, planning, and overseeing all research and operational flights into tropical cyclones. Shirley is also the research liaison for the NOAA’s Joint Hurricane Testbed (JHT), which serves to bridge and transfer new technology and research results into operations. She plays a critical role in ensuring the transition of research happens smoothly.

Shirley has been an AMS member since 1996. She was a member of the AMS Board on Women and Minorities and later served as chair. Shirley also served on the conference program committee for the Symposium on Education. In 2012, she received the AMS Charles E. Anderson Award. She has published work in BAMS, the Journal of Physical Oceanography, Monthly Weather Review, and Weather and Forecasting.