In this photo I'm speaking to the 800 students gathered in Boston for the Student Conference of the American Meteorological Society. I served as a chair of this conference for two years and believe that it is a fantastic way for undergraduates and graduate students to learn more about research and careers in meteorology and earth sciences.

I am a research scientist in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at George Washington University and study air quality and health. Complex issues like climate change and air pollution require "all hands on deck" to address and solve. I hope that by participating in Science-A-Thon, the increased visibility and financial resources for organizations supporting science diversity will help grow a vibrant scientific community to tackle today's most pressing issues.