Lily Johnston Email and Phone Number

Performing research on improving modeling of clouds over the Southern Ocean in the Unified Forecast System by enhancing the microphysical parameterization in a Single Column Model (SCM) that uses the Common Community Physics Package. This research aims to assess the SCM's ability to represent aerosols, radiation and clouds as vertical columns and improve the physical properties in the SCM and apply these changes to the UFS. The Southern Ocean is particularly of interest because of its significant impact on the global energy budget, global cloud feedback and climate sensitivity which results in biases in General Circulation Models (GCMs).

Worked as a student researcher as part of the Cooperative Institute for Modeling the Earth System (CIMES) internship. CIMES is a collaboration between Princeton University and the NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. Conducted research on Cloud and Precipitation Prediction in the Sub-10km System for High-resolution prediction on the Earth-to-Local Domains (SHiELD) model. Used numerical weather prediction and atmospheric modeling to evaluate the ability of the 13 km & 6.5 km SHiELD resolutions to predict observed meteorological variables. Performed data analysis and computer programming to assist the NOAA GFDL FV3 modeling group in their assessment of the SHiELD model.

Worked at the GIS Laboratory at Colorado College as a GIS Lab Technician. Assisted students, faculty, and classes in using ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS StoryMaps, QGIS, ArcGIS online, and Google Earth Pro across departments and fields. Worked on GIS mapping for Colorado College and assisted with research projects for the GIS Lab. Used drones to collect remote sensing data for the GIS lab. Searched for public and geospatial data to construct maps. Learned and problem solved while assisting with a variety of topics/assignments. Used data management when dealing with large data sets.

Worked as a student researcher in the Department of Organismal Biology & Ecology at Colorado College. Designed and executed original research on Columbine Species. Used laboratory methods, procedures and various to laboratory equipment to collect plant physiology data. Performed data analysis, reduction, and synthesis using JMP v. 4.0.4 produced by the SAS Institute. Statistical analyses included descriptive & inferential statistics, chi-square tests, ANOVA and z-tests. Used a Percival Growth Chamber to conduct a germination experiment.

Conducted permaculture research at Neptune & Company funded by the Noblett-Witter Grant in the Colorado College Geology Department. Developed probabilistic hydrological models of 60 species of contaminants leaving nuclear waste sites using QGIS and SWAT+. Incorporated all the parameters for the site into the model and performed quality assurance using existing documentation. Delineated watersheds, performed data analysis in QGIS and made the existing model more efficient and timely. Performed quality assurance on existing probabilistic models. Presented the model to the company to be used by the Department of Energy and NYSERDA for the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP).

Conducted permaculture research at RHIZE Mountain Retreat funded by the Noblett-Witter Grant in the Colorado College Geology Department. Created mushroom cultivation sectors and planted native perennials to restore the soil in response to aridification. Installed irrigation systems using the springs on the property. Used permaculture techniques to restore depleted soil from aridification and the effects of mining. Planned and executed the planting of perennials, horticultural, and mushrooms across the property. Assisted in fire mitigation techniques by cutting fallen aspen trees.