Michael Sessa Email & Phone Number

• Maintain a collaborative relationship with several weather forecast office employees to focus research efforts on operationally relevant questions in need of improvement and deeper understanding
• Manually analyzed 300 tornadic events and measured several pre-tornadic mesocyclone characteristics through extensive radar analysis in GR2Analyst to explore the relationship between pre-tornadic mesocyclone.
• Manually analyzed 300 tornadic events and measured several pre-tornadic mesocyclone characteristics through extensive radar analysis in GR2Analyst to explore the relationship between pre-tornadic mesocyclone.
• Conducted an environmental analysis using RAP model data and an original python script to understand what environments large, strong mesocyclones tend to form in to improve operational forecasting of thunderstorm.
• Completed WRF simulations to explore how well numerical models resolve elevated convection and the transition between elevated and surface-based convection
• Compiled current knowledge and research on severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in future climate scenarios

Urbana-Champaign Area

Urbana-Champaign Area

Valparaiso, Indiana, United States

Facilitated a two-week thunderstorm field study course to a class of 17 undergraduate students with a focus on applying the synoptic and mesoscale dynamics of severe convective storms to the techniques and logistics of real-time forecasting, nowcasting, observation, and interception of these systems in the field.

Mahwah, NJ

• Pick up and deliver soil, water, and air samples to clients for testing
• Communicate with clients to coordinate pickup or delivery, prepare necessary paperwork for sample transport, and manage appropriate conditions for successful transport of samples

Valparaiso, Indiana

• Provide tutoring and support for all department curriculum, including physics, mathematics, and meteorology

Binghamton, NY

Geneva, NY

• Analyzed radar, satellite, upper-air, and surface data from lake-effect snow data sets to identify the impact of short-wave troughs on lake-effect snow bands in the Great Lakes region
• Worked closely with research partner and advisor to write and edit journal article in process of publication titled, The Impacts of Short-Wave Troughs on Lake-Effect Snow Bands
• Created and presented approximately 5 formal presentations to share research with meteorology colleagues and facilitated… Show more
• Created and presented approximately 5 formal presentations to share research with meteorology colleagues and facilitated related discussion among participants present
• Participated in student poster presentation at The 97th AMS Annual Meeting Show less

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Atmospheric Sciences And Meteorology

Master'S Degree, Atmospheric Sciences And Meteorology

Bachelor’S Degree, Atmospheric Sciences And Meteorology

Activities and Societies: Valparaiso Student Chapter of AMS, Valparaiso University Storm Intercept Team, Valparaiso University Emergency.