Honours Bachelor of Science followed by Master of ScienceÌý(2014)
Aviation meteorologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada (Government of Canada)
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1. What was your area of study (Atmospheric or Oceanic sciences)? Could you describe in a line or two your research/ area of interest while you were studying at McGill?Ìý
Atmospheric Sciences. My research throughout my undergraduate and masters degrees focused on better understanding the climatology of freezing rain over Southern Quebec and developing forecasting tools that could be useful in an operational setting.
2. Looking back, what do you value most about your studies at Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences at McGill?
The greatest value I found to be in the research I started as an undergraduate. It laid the foundation for the rest of my academic career, gave me the chance to present at conferences, meet fantastic people in the same field, and build my confidence. I was lucky to have a supervisor, Prof. Gyakum, who gave me the chance to explore ideas and make mistakes but also made sure to guide me when I needed it. Overall, undergraduate research is what most impacted my life, even now, a decade later.
3. How are you applying your degree in Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences from McGill?
I use my acquired knowledge every day as an aviation meteorologist. The weather forecasts we provide require an excellent understanding of both atmospheric dynamics and the tools to diagnose it: radar and satellite imagery.
4. What advice would you give to someone considering graduate studies in Atmospheric or Oceanic Sciences at McGill?
My advice? Find a supervisor you truly believe will be a good fit for you, and in a subject that grabs your attention. The good fit is most crucial. Graduate studies are arduous and can be stressful, so finding someone with whom you know you can work with over extended periods of time will make the biggest difference. Take the time, meet with the various professors, don't be afraid to ask questions! I was lucky to get the chance to learn from the best. Our synoptics group was wonderful and made the hard days better.
(Jan 2020)