Congratulations to Melissa Wrzesien for receiving the 2015 Toracinta Graduate Fellowship in Atmospheric Science!

Dr. E. Richard (Rick) Toracinta was a talented research scientist with the Polar Meteorology Group of the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center at The Ohio State University. In addition to his polar work, Rick had a passion for severe weather and was a volunteer storm chaser on the Great Plains during many springs. This fellowship commemorates Rick's lasting interest in the atmosphere as well as his desire to be a teacher.

This prestigious fellowship is awarded biennially to a graduate student studying atmospheric science, broadly defined, at The Ohio State University. Preference will be given to students specializing in severe weather (e.g., thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes), polar meteorology or polar climatology. The selection criteria include academic performance, excellence as an instructor (if appropriate), financial need, and intended use of the fellowship funds to advance one's graduate studies.

More information about the fellowship can be found here.