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Kaitlyn Jesmonth

Profile picture for Kaitlyn Jesmonth

Contact Information

4044-E Natural History Building
1301 W Green St
Urbana, IL 61801
Graduate Research Assistant, Advisor: Dr. Stephen Nesbitt

Biography

Hello! I am a first-year M.S. student, and I am studying the microphysical properties of winter precipitation in extratropical cyclones. My advisor is Dr. Stephen Nesbitt. In May 2023, I graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego majoring in Meteorology and minoring in both Mathematics and Computer Science. I have participated in several research projects throughout my career. Past research topics have included occluded cyclones, lake-effect snow/lightning, and aviation meteorology. Most recently, I served as a forecaster and research assistant for NSF Project LEE (Lake-Effect Electrification).

Operationally, I’ve been a Student Forecast Leader for the New York State Department of Transportation, the City of Oswego, and local school districts as part of the Lake-Effect Storm Prediction and Research Center. During my senior year, I was the President of Oswego’s Chapter of the AMS/NWA which was recently awarded the 2022-2023 AMS Local Student Chapter of the Year. I’m an active member of the AMS Student Conference Planning Committee as well as the NWA Aviation Meteorology Group.

Education

M.S. in Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Expected 2025)

B.S. in Meteorology, summa cum laude, State University of New York at Oswego (May 2023)

  • Minor in Mathematics

  • Minor in Computer Science

Awards and Honors

Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence - SUNY 

­­Outstanding Senior in Meteorology Award - SUNY Oswego                                

Steve Messina ’91 Endowed Meteorology Scholarship - SUNY Oswego