Welcome
Hello! I'm Nimbus (they/them/theirs), a atmospheric science graduate student at The University of Kansas. I got my Honors B.S. in Atmospheric Science at the University of Alabama in Huntsville in spring 2026, alongside a minor in GIS and Remote Sensing.
Research Interests
Cloud and Precipitation Physics
I am particularly interested in the role of cloud physics in storms and severe convective weather, alongside topics such as cloud formation and precipitation breakup. My undergraduate capstone covered precipitation breakup over the ARM site at Bankhead National Forest, using laser disdrometer data at ground level and 50 meters AGL to determine the difference in droplet size and number across the lowest layer of the atmosphere.
Boundary Layer Meteorology
I have experience in boundary layer modeling and climatology, as over the summer of 2026 I worked as an intern for Amentum, performing upgrades to the Earth-GRAM (Global Reference Atmospheric Model)'s boundary layer scheme as a contracted NASA intern, working under Patrick White and the EV44 Terrestrial and Planetary Environments (TAPE) Team. I also worked on a project in undergraduate on developing a boundary layer-height propagation model with individual condtions derived from balloon sounding data. In the future I would love to continue developing numerical models for PBL research, alongside investigating the role of the PBL in severe weather situations.
Severe Convective Meteorology
I have had an interest in severe storms ever since I was a small child, and my previously listed research interests are very much applicable to severe storms of all types. I have launched sounding balloons into squall lines and supercells with the UAH Profiling and Sounding Team for Operational Meteorology, done mock ops with Huntsville, Alabama's NWS Office, and helped educate the public about severe weather through events such as Rocket City Weather Fest. I don't really storm chase though, as my home region of Dixie Alley is not an ideal chasing environment to say the least. I would like to apply my previous research experience into various severe weather applications, including QCLS and MCS events, supercells/tornadoes, and tropical systems.
Current Position
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Geography and Atmospheric Science, University of Kansas
I currently am a GTA for two of the lab sections of ATMO 105: Introductory Meteorlogy, and ATMO 106: Honors Introductory Meterology. I lead lab lectures and experiments, hold office hours, grade all assignments, and generally manage the lab sections.
Contact
Email: nimbusmenk@ku.edu