The Student Training in Atmospheric Research at Minority Serving Institutions (STAR-MSI) program is being developed at Jackson State University (JSU), with lead principal investigator Dereka Carroll. The research is based around two proposed projects: the first project seeks to analyze changes in landfalling tropical cyclone (TC) hazards due to climate change and the second project seeks to understand the difference in TC climate impacts when using average differences in the local TC environment compared to average differences in the larger scale environment.
This pilot program aims to build authentic and long-lasting relationships between NCAR and JSU, focused on research projects of mutual interest. The program will initially be implemented at JSU but is designed to serve as a pilot that can be refined and implemented at other MSIs. STAR-MSI seeks to achieve three goals:
- improve the success and retention of atmospheric science faculty and students at MSIs
- provide experiential geoscience training to undergraduate students to help them bridge to successful careers
- build collaborative research relationships across JSU and NCAR.
In doing so, STAR-MSI will provide multi-level mentorship and professional development among NCAR staff, JSU faculty, and JSU undergraduates.