Who's who in the Convective Storms Group


Group photo 25 September 2009: (from left to right) Adam French, Matt Morin, Casey Letkewicz, and Matt Parker


Bonus group photo from VORTEX2, 11 May 2009: (from left to right) Matt Parker, David Stark (B.S. NCSU '08), Matt Morin, Kate Rojowsky, Adam French, Casey Letkewicz, Jen Standridge (NCAR), George Bryan (NCAR), Tim Lim (NCAR), and Bill Brown (NCAR)
Faculty Advisor

Dr. Matthew Parker I grew up in northern Ohio, and had decided that I wanted to be a meteorologist by 7th grade. I fell in love with the original Nova special on tornadoes (you know, the one with TOTO), created a legacy of meteorological science fair projects, and consider it a badge of honor that I committed to the field during the pre-Weather Channel, pre-Twister era.

I am a scientist because I love to figure out how things work. I do what I do to try to understand atmospheric processes. I believe that a meteorologist isn't properly trained unless he/she grasps the physical concepts that govern the atmosphere: cookbook meteorology (memorizing a big bunch of forecasting rules) is a dead end in my mind. I also believe that observations, models, and theory all help us get to that understanding, and I strive to attain a balance among methods and techniques. For more on my research and teaching, visit my professional home page.

I am a storm chaser (currently semi-retired), and also enjoy playing sports, chess, and music, skiing, traveling, and going out for shows, fine meals, and hockey games (Let's Go 'Canes!).

Ph.D. Students

Adam French


 Adam French was born and raised in Manchester, CT. He has had a fascination with the weather from an early age, inspired by the wide variety of weather experienced in the northeast, from Hurricanes to Noreasters to severe thunderstorms. After writing about severe weather in Connecticut for his high school honors English thesis, Adam decided to make a career out of his interest in the weather and become a meteorologist.

He received a BS in meteorology from Valparaiso University in Indiana in May 2005. During his time at Valpo, Adam developed an interest in storm chasing through experiences chasing storms with the Valparaiso University Storm Intercept Team (VUSIT) and also served as the Treasurer, and later President, of the Northwest Indiana Chapter of the National Weather Association, helping to plan the groups annual Great Lakes Meteorology Conference. In the summer of 2004 he participated in the National Weather Center Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Norman, OK, analyzing data gathered during the 2004 NSSL/SPC Spring Program. He received his M.S. from NC State in 2007 and continues in the Ph.D. program.

In his spare time Adam enjoys hiking, camping, playing guitar, and cheering for the Boston Red Sox.

Casey Letkewicz


 Casey was born and raised in Naperville, IL. She always knew she wanted to be a meteorologist due to her obsessively watching the Weather Channel and tracking thunderstorms every time they came to her area. Even before the movie Twister made thunderstorms and tornadoes cool, Casey couldn't get enough of watching the thunder and lightning outside of her window.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from Valparaiso University in May 2007. There, she was able to storm chase for the first time with the Valparaiso University Storm Intercept Team, and eventually became the club's Secretary and later Director. Casey was also blessed to have participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates with the Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere project at the University of Oklahoma. There she was able to get a taste of real research and decided she would like to pursue her Master's degree. Casey was thrilled to join the Convective Storms Group in fall 2007 and continue studying weather phenomena which endlessly fascinates her.

In her free time, Casey loves to read, listen to music, play floor hockey, hang out with her friends, and have a good time doing just about anything.

M.S. Students

Matthew Morin


 Matthew grew up in Westminster, MA where he became fascinated with the weather at the young age of five. Watching thunderstorms from his bedroom window sparked his interest in severe weather. His meteorological experiences as a child included acquiring many books on the subject, building a lightning rod (which got him in trouble with his mother), designing a weather station, drawing weather maps as well as watching countless hours of the Weather Channel.

The road to becoming a Meteorologist was not direct for Matthew. He joined the Army National Guard and was shipped off to Basic Training after graduating from high school in May 2000. After six months of active duty and two years of courses at a community college, Matthew entered the meteorology program at Plymouth State University.

Matthew undertook his first real-life research project during an independent study in the 2006 fall semester. His research involved determining methods to better forecast strong northeasterly winds in western Gulf of Maine. His research skills were further honed during an internship at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL in summer 2007 where he studied convective winds. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from Plymouth State in December 2007, Matthew interned at the Mount Washington Observatory where he was able to shadow the observers and work on various research projects. Matthew was excited to join the Convective Storms Group in fall 2008 while pursing his M.S. degree in Atmospheric Sciences.

Besides meteorology, Matthew has many interests which include hiking, tennis, golf, bowling and someday traveling the world.

last updated 25 September 2009