Scripps Oceanography Recognizes Two Students for Outstanding Academic Achievements in Research
Scripps Student Wins Prestigious Frieman Prize for Oceanography Research
William Chapman, a fourth-year PhD student at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, has been awarded the 2020 Edward A. Frieman Prize for Excellence in Graduate Student Research. The prize, established in 1996, honours the eighth director of Scripps and recognises outstanding research in oceanography.
Chapman's research focuses on improving atmospheric river forecasts using machine learning and artificial intelligence methods. Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow streams that channel water vapour from the tropics and bring significant precipitation to the West Coast of North America. His winning paper, "Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts with Machine Learning," was published in the September 2019 issue of Geophysical Research Letters.
Chapman's research advisors, Scripps co-advisors Shang-Ping Xie and Marty Ralph, praised his significant meteorology research findings. Xie, a Scripps professor and climate scientist, commended Chapman's work, stating, "William's research has made significant contributions to our understanding of atmospheric rivers and their impact on weather patterns."
Chapman expressed hope that his research can lead to improved forecasting and early awareness of extreme precipitation events, potentially reducing the risks associated with flooding and other natural disasters. He will be formally recognised with the Frieman Prize at the virtual Scripps Day celebration on Friday, June 12.
Meanwhile, Travis Courtney, a Scripps postdoctoral scholar and member of the SCOOBY Research Group, was selected as a 2020 Chancellor's Dissertation Medal Recipient. Courtney's dissertation aims to understand how coral reefs may be impacted by local and global environmental change. His research focuses on quantifying the rates and drivers of the growth and maintenance of coral reefs, as well as exploring the ecological and environmental drivers of coral reef calcification.
The Chancellor's Dissertation Medal was established through a partnership between the Chancellor and the Graduate Student Association. It recognises outstanding doctoral research across all disciplines at UC San Diego. Both Chapman and Courtney's research demonstrates the innovative and impactful work being conducted at Scripps.
In conclusion, the achievements of William Chapman and Travis Courtney highlight the importance of continued research in oceanography and climate science. Their work not only contributes to a greater understanding of the Earth's climate systems but also has the potential to improve forecasting and early warning systems for extreme weather events, benefiting communities around the world.
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