PETRA M. UDELHOFEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Dr. Petra Udelhofen, an Assistant Research Professor in the Institute for Terrestrial and Planetary Atmospheres (ITPA) at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of SoMAS, obtained her doctorate in Meteorology from the University of Cologne, Germany in 1990. Her research focused on long-term climate variations of the Earth’s atmospheric radiation fields. She interacted with a large number of scientists around the world in her career and is remembered as a remarkably generous and friendly colleague. Petra came to Stony Brook in May 1999 as a Research Scientist working with Distinguished Professor Robert Cess on a NASA CERES project and with Professor and Dean Marvin Geller as the NASA SPARC data center scientist. Prior to that, Petra worked as a Research Associate at the University of Georgia from January 1998 to April 1999, as a Research Fellow of the Cooperative Research Center for Southern Hemisphere Meteorology in Melbourne, Australia from February 1995 to January 1998, as a Research Associate at the University of Washington from November 1991 to November 1994, and as a Research Associate at the GKSS Research Center at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Geesthacht, Germany from August 1990 to November 1991. During this time, Petra touched the lives of numerous people across several continents. Dr. Udelhofen first-authored three research articles published in the most prominent atmospheric science journals, all of which made distinctive contributions to the world science community. These articles discussed the influence of tropical cloud systems on water vapor in the upper troposphere, of solar variability on the Earth’s cloud cover, and of clouds and ozone on surface UV radiation. This latter article remains a leading reference on this subject. In addition to her research accomplishments, Dr. Udelhofen was a very active member of the ITPA faculty. She taught an undergraduate atmospheric science course and enthusiastically participated in all seminar programs, faculty forums, and other institutional activities. She established and served as the first volunteer editor of the electronic ITPA weekly newsletter. She maintained very close relationships with a large number of faculty, staff, and students. Dr. Udelhofen is warmly remembered by the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and her numerous friends for her generosity, enthusiasm, friendship, and love of life.
Award
The Petra M. Udelhofen Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to an undergraduate entering his/her senior year of study in Atmospheric Sciences/Meteorology. This $1,000 cash scholarship may be used for tuition, fees, books, or other educational expenses. The award is supported by gifts to the Petra M. Udelhofen Memorial fund.
To apply for the award, please download and fill out the application. For more information e-mail Dr. Brian Colle, the Division Head of Atmospheric Sciences. All applications for this award are due in early April. The award will be presented during SoMAS Convocation Ceremony at the end of May.