WeatherKos was a playful moniker given to me by friends and family once they noticed my obsession for the dynamic clouds in the sky. What was once a funny nickname, became a platform for science and community, fueled by my love for weather and climate. This passion has led me towards a number of endeavors:

• enjoyable and relevant science education;

• effective science communication, translating tricky concepts into a common language for all;

• innovative research with the overall goal of protecting people and Earth;

• developing environmental and climate policy that evens the playing field for marginalized and vulnerable communities;

• increasing diversity and inclusion in all of the sciences, and more!

Currently, I am an Environmental Science and Policy Ph.D. student at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School for Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Sciences and the Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy. My research is focused on ensuring that our cities are equitably prepared for the implications of climate change, while also working to mitigate contributions to global warming. This research informs my role on the City of Miami’s Climate Resilience Committee, on which I serve as Vice Chairman and Advocate for Marginalized and Vulnerable Communities.

I am originally from Somerset, New Jersey, and I am alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Georgia State University, where I earned my Bachelor’s in Meteorology and my Master’s in Geosciences, respectively. My research and climate policy career, which began during my undergraduate years, has granted me to opportunity to travel and work with world class scientists in Woods Hole, Massachusetts (Partnership Education Program), Boulder, Colorado (Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science Program), Berkeley, California (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory), Germany (Global Sustainability Fellows), South Korea (US-Korea Young Climate Activist Exchange Program), and more!

I am a former Division I Track & Field athlete, and currently keep in shape at your local Crossfit box!