Bringing Science to the Next Generation:the Impacts of Richard Anthes on a Young Scientist’s Career (Invited Presentation)

Teaching and mentoring early career scientists is one of the greatest gifts a senior scientist can pass down. By starting the Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) program at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), Rick Anthes created opportunities for senior scientists to mentor and share their passion for science with students, while giving students insights to a successful scientific workplace and the chance to gain a foothold in the scientific community. At the same time, SOARS helps to build and increase diversity in the next generation of meteorologists and atmospheric scientists.

During the summer of 2016, twenty years after the SOARS program was started, Rick decided to co-mentor me, an undergraduate SOARS student, together with the graduate student Therese while working at the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate (COSMIC) program. Choosing me, a math student who had no experience in the atmospheric sciences and plunging me head first into radio occultation was quite ambitious, and ultimately altered my career path forever. Over the course of two years, the three of us worked closely together on scientific applications of radio occultation, resulting in a total of five published papers (and one currently under review) between the three of us.

Mentoring Therese and me started another chapter in Rick’s scientific career, while simultaneously jump-starting the careers of us students. His open ear for ideas, words of motivation when needed, and experience as both a scientist and manager shaped Rick into a unique mentor, pushing his students further in the pursuit of understanding. Rick is a true scientist at heart, coming full circle back to research where his career began.