Curriculum Vitae
Joshua D. Aikins
EDUCATION
University of Colorado at Boulder
DATES: August 2012 - May 2018
DEGREE: PhD Atmospheric Science
GRADUATE CERTIFICATES: Hydrologic Sciences
COURSE CREDITS: 36
DISSERTATION CREDITS: 46
GPA: 3.938
Courses (credits):
ATOC 5050 – Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics (3)
ATOC 5235 - Radiative Transfer & Remote Sensing (3)
ATOC 6020-806 - Boundary Layer Meteorology Seminar (1)
ATOC 5151 - Atmospheric Chemistry (3)
ATOC 5060 - Dynamics of the Atmosphere (3)
ATOC 5051 - Introduction to Physical Oceanography (3)
ATOC 5600 - Clouds and Aerosols (3)
ATOC 6700 - Weather Forecasting & Discussion (1)
ATOC 6020-802 - Precipitation Systems Seminar (2)
ATOC 7500-003 - Mountain Meteorology (3)
ATOC 6020-816 - Polar Climate Seminar (1)
GEOG 5271 - The Arctic Climate System (3)
GEOG 5321 - Snow Hydrology (4)
ATOC 7500-001 - Environmental Statistics (3)
The Pennsylvania State University
DATES: August 2008 – May 2012
DEGREE: B.S. Meteorology
MINORS: GIS, Geography
TOTAL CREDITS: 132.5
GPA: 3.95
Meteorology courses (credits):
METEO 201 – Introduction to Weather Analysis (3)
METEO 300 – Fundamentals of Atmospheric Dynamics, Physics, and Chemistry (4)
METEO 431 – Atmospheric Thermodynamics (3)
METEO 411 – Synoptic Meteorology (4)
METEO 421 – Atmospheric Dynamics (4)
METEO 440W – Principles of Atmospheric Measurements and Research Report Writing (3)
METEO 474 – Computer Methods of Meteorological Analysis and Forecasting (3)
METEO 414 – Mesoscale Meteorology (4)
METEO 454 – Micrometeorology (3)
METEO 437 – Atmospheric Chemistry and Cloud Physics (3)
METEO 495 – Off-campus Meteorological Internship (3)
Geography/GIS courses (credits):
GEOG 040 – World Regional Geography (3)
GEOG 160 – Fundamental concepts of GIS, cartography, remote sensing, and GPS (3)
GEOG 362 – Introduction to Remote Sensing (3)
GEOG 363 – Geographic Information Systems (3)
GEOG 417 – Satellite Climatology (3)
GEOG 468 – Geographic Information Systems Design and Evaluation (3)
GEOG 497A – Radiometric Principles: Radiative Modeling for Remote Sensing of Earth Surface Materials (3)
Mathematics courses (credits):
MATH 140 – Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (4) – Functions, limits, analytic geometry, derivatives, differentials, integrals, and their applications
MATH 141H – Honors Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (4) – Honors course in derivatives, integrals, applications; sequences and series; analytic geometry; polar coordinates
MATH 251 – Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations (4) – First- and second-order equations; special functions; Laplace transform solutions; higher order equations; Fourier series; partial differential equations
MATH 230H – Honors Calculus and Vector Analysis (4) – Honors course in three-dimensional analytic geometry; vectors in space; partial differentiation; double and triple integrals; integral vector calculus
Miscellaneous Educational Experience:
16 credits completed in Chemistry, including organic chemistry with lab work
Hands-on experience with thermocouples and Picarro CO2 gas analyzers
Analytical/statistical experience with raw environmental data
Knowledge of atmospheric trace gases and experience with atmospheric CO2 research
WORK EXPERIENCE
University of Illinois - Radar Facility Scientist and Data Manager
DATES: July 2021 - Present
LOCATION: 4820 63rd Street, Suite 102, Boulder, CO 80301
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform the archival and dissemination of data and other information through ftp and http servers, maintain web pages, lead data quality control efforts and provide preliminary data and/or quick-look data
Conduct analyses of radar & instrumentation facility & related data, conduct integrated analyses including multiple-Doppler analysis, wind flow model analysis, mapping, and related tasks
Travel to most major field projects and provide data management support, and other field project support, including vehicle driving, to the facility systems for much of the duration of these projects
Other tasks, both in the field and at base, related to the scientific, educational, outreach, technical, logistical, and promotional missions of the facility
University of Illinois - Associate Research Scientist
DATES: February 2020 - Present
LOCATION: 4820 63rd Street, Suite 102, Boulder, CO 80301
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provide preparation & field efforts, provide data quality control, and conduct scientific data analysis in support of various projects associated with the Doppler On Wheels weather radar and instrumentation facility
Train other facility staff & institution field personnel in the operation and readiness of instrumentation, radars, and vehicles
Targeted Meteorological Systems - Associate Scientist
DATES: January 2020 - February 2020
LOCATION: 4820 63rd Street, Suite 102, Boulder, CO 80301
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Maintained, repaired, & tested instrumentation for the Doppler On Wheels Facility
Dewberry - Staff Meteorologist
DATES: July 2020 - November 2020
LOCATION: 8100 East Maplewood Ave, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Operationally forecasted for flood threats across Colorado & summarized past weather events
Supported development in novel hydrometeorological products
Center for Severe Weather Research - Associate Scientist
DATES: June 2018 - June 2020
LOCATION: 1945 Vassar Circle, Boulder, CO 80305
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supported the maintenance and deployment of CSWR instrumentation for scientific field projects, including driving, operating, training, site set up and tear-down, surveying, maintenance, outreach, and related activities
Supported CSWR scientific efforts and CSWR scientists on various analysis, modeling, and data processing tasks
Supported CSWR data management and quality control activities
Assisted with CSWR field deployments and data quality control for the 2018 GRAINEX and 2018 RELAMPAGO projects
NOAA Physical Sciences Division - CIRES Graduate Research Assistant
DATES: August 2014 - May 2018
LOCATION: NOAA Earth Systems Research Lab, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Analyzed data from the tail-mounted Doppler radar on the NOAA G-IV aircraft taken during the CALWATER experiment (2 coauthored papers)
Analyzed dual-polarization ground-based radar, surface precipitation, and surface disdrometer data from the IPHEx 2014 field project to study cloud microphysical processes over the Southern Appalachians
Assisted with field operations for SNOWIE 2017, including operating Doppler On Wheels (DOW) mobile radars and maintaining CU Boulder surface in-situ instrumentation deployed on mountaintop locations in Idaho between January - March 2017
Presented research findings at scientific conferences
University of Colorado Boulder - Graduate Research Assistant
DATES: August 2012 - August 2014
LOCATION: Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences (ATOC), 311 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Analyzed ground and airborne dual-polarization radar, surface precipitation, and microwave radiometer data from the ASCII 2012 research project to study small-scale microphysical & dynamical mechanisms within orographic winter storms (1 paper)
Presented posters at conferences on radar and precipitation research from ASCII 2012
Maintain radar & precipitation instruments at the Mountain Research Station on Niwot Ridge
Assisted in field deployment of instrumentation for ASCII 2013
Volunteered with CSWR/DOW Facility to intercept Hurricane Isaac (2012) and multiple tornadoes (2013) with research-quality mobile mesonets & dual-polarization radars
University of Colorado Boulder - Temporary Research Aid
DATES: July 2012 – August 2012
LOCATION: Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences (ATOC), 311 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Analyzed data from ASCII 2012 research project using IDL programming language
Maintained Parsivel disdrometers at the Mountain Research Station on Niwot Ridge
The Pennsylvania State University - Temporary Research Aid
DATES: May 2012 – June 2012
LOCATION: School of Forest Resources, University Park, PA 16802
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Set up Campbell CR1000 dataloggers to Ott Parsivel2 disdrometers for field deployment
Ordered necessary parts for deployment of instruments
Developed an operational guide for fellow researchers to follow in maintaining instruments & collecting data
The Pennsylvania State University - Lab Assistant
DATES: August 2011 - December 2011
LOCATION: Department of Meteorology, University Park, PA 16802
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Prepared and set up meteorological labs with equipment & materials prior to lab session
Assisted students during lab and answer questions about the lab and analysis
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Intern
DATES: June 2011 - August 2011
LOCATION: NOAA Earth Systems Research Lab, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Worked with Jocelyn Turnbull, Duane Kitzis, and the CCGG group at NOAA ESRL to gather information on the climate monitoring efforts at NOAA
Create an outreach website explaining NOAA’s role in monitoring global greenhouse gas concentrations in our atmosphere (http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/education/behind_the_scenes/index.html)
The Pennsylvania State University - Research Assistant
DATES: September 2010 – June 2012
LOCATION: Department of Meteorology, 416 Walker Building, University Park, PA 16802
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Updated research project websites; Ring 2 (http://www.ring2.psu.edu/), Ameriflux (http://www.amerifluxco2.psu.edu/), and INFLUX (http://www.influx.psu.edu/)
Analyzed greenhouse gas concentration data using MATLAB
Assembled instruments & material for shipping/deployment
Remotely monitored & up kept gas analyzer systems in the field
Lowes - Customer Service Associate & Unload Associate
DATES:
April 2008 – August 2010
August 2010 – June 2012
LOCATIONS:
1175 Carlisle Road, York, PA 17404
104 Valley Vista Drive, State College, PA 16803
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Assisted customers in locating merchandise, designing household projects, and by pulling work orders for pick up
Unloaded freight trucks from the distribution center, palletized merchandise, and dispersed merchandise to the selling floor
Completed necessary freight flow paperwork
Assembled grills, wheelbarrows, and other merchandise for customers
Penn State York - Undergraduate Tutor
DATES: September 2008 – May 2010
LOCATION: 1031 Edgecomb Avenue, York, PA 17403
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Tutored college students in math and chemistry
Attended weekly CRLA tutor training meetings
PUBLICATIONS, POSTERS, & PRESENTATIONS
Wurman, J., K. Kosiba, B. Pereira, P. Robinson, A. Frambach, A. Gilliland, T. White, J. Aikins, R. J. Trapp, S. Nesbitt, M. N. Hanshaw, and J. Lutz, 2021: The FARM (Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets). Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 1–88, https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-20-0285.1.
Tessendorf, S. A., J. French, K. Friedrich, B. Geerts, R. M. Rauber, R. M. Rasmussen, L. Xue, K. Ikeda, D. R. Blestrud, M. L. Kunkel, S. Parkinson, J. R. Snider, J. Aikins, S. Faber, A. Majewski, C. Grasmick, P. T. Bergmaier, A. Janiszeski, A. Springer, C. Weeks, D. J. Serke, and R. Bruintjes, 2019: A Transformational Approach to Winter Orographic Weather Modification Research: The SNOWIE Project. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 100, 71–92, https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-17-0152.1.
Joshua Aikins, K. Friedrich, R. Cifelli, and M. Hughes (2017). What happens to a squall line when it encounters mountains? - A high-resolution radar analysis of the 15 May 2014 IPHEx event in the Southern Appalachians. Poster presented at the 11th Annual Earth System and Space Science Poster Conference: Boulder, CO; 1 December 2017.
Neiman, P. J., N. Gaginni, C. W. Fairall, J. Aikins, J. R. Spackman, L. R. Leung, J. Fan, J. Hardin, N. R. Nalli, and A. B. White, 2017: An Analysis of Coordinated Observations from NOAA's Ronald Brown Ship and G-IV Aircraft in a Landfalling Atmospheric River over the North Pacific during CalWater-2015. Monthly Weather Review, 145, 3647-3669, doi:10.1175/MWR-D-17-0055.1.
Joshua Aikins, K. Friedrich, R. Cifelli, and M. Hughes (2017). Investigating a Squall Line Interaction with the Southern Appalachians using High-Resolution Radar Observations. Poster presented at the 38th Conference on Radar Meteorology: 28 August - 1 September 2017.
Joshua Aikins, K. Friedrich, J. French, B. Geerts, R. Rauber, K. Kosiba, J. Wurman, R. Rasmussen, and S. Tessendorf (2017). Seeded and Natural Orographic Wintertime clouds: The Idaho Experiment (SNOWIE). Poster presented at the 2017 Hydrologic Sciences Symposium: Boulder, CO; 6-7 April 2017.
Aikins, J., K. Friedrich, B. Geerts, and B. Pokharel, 2016: Role of a Cross-Barrier Jet and Turbulence on Winter Orographic Snowfall. Monthly Weather Review, 144, 3277-3300, doi: 10.1175/MWR-D-16-0025.1.
Neiman, P. J., B. J. Moore, A. B. White, G. A. Wick, J. Aikins, D. L. Jackson, J. R. Spackman, and F. M. Ralph, 2016: An Airborne and Ground-Based Study of a Long-Lived and Intense Atmospheric River with Mesoscale Frontal Waves Impacting California during CalWater-2014. Monthly Weather Review, 144, 1115–1144, doi:10.1175/MWR-D-15-0319.1.
Friedrich, K., E. A. Kalina, J. Aikins, M. Steiner, D. Gochis, P. A. Kucera, K. Ikeda, and J. Sun, 2016: Raindrop Size Distribution and Rain Characteristics during the 2013 Great Colorado Flood. Journal of Hydrometeorology, 17, 53–72, doi:10.1175/JHM-D-14-0184.1.
Friedrich, K., E. A. Kalina, J. Aikins, D. Gochis, and R. Rasmussen, 2016: Precipitation and Cloud Structures of Intense Rain during the 2013 Great Colorado Flood. Journal of Hydrometeorology, 17, 27–52, doi:10.1175/JHM-D-14-0157.1.
Josh Aikins, Katja Friedrich, Bart Geerts, and Binod Pokharel (2015). Role of a Low-Level Jet and Shear Turbulence on Winter Orographic Snowfall. Poster presented at the 9th Annual Earth System and Space Science Poster Conference: Boulder, CO; 13 November 2015.
Pokharel, B., B. Geerts, X. Jing, K. Friedrich, J. Aikins, D. Breed, R. Rasmussen, A. Huggins, 2014: The impact of ground-based glaciogenic seeding on clouds and precipitation over mountains: A multi-sensor case study of shallow precipitating orographic cumuli. Atmospheric Research, 147-148, 162–182. doi:10.1016/j.atmosres.2014.05.014.
Josh Aikins, Katja Friedrich, Bart Geerts, Josh Wurman, and Karen Kosiba (2013). Orographic Snowfall Characteristics: Dual-Pol X-band Radar Observations from ASCII 2012. Poster presented at the CU Graduate Research Symposium: Boulder, CO; 1 November 2013.
Katja Friedrich, Bart Geerts, Josh Wurman, Karen Kosiba, Josh Aikins, and Evan Kalina (2012). Measuring Snow Characteristics with the Dual-Polarization Doppler on Wheels (DOW) Radar During ASCII. Poster presented at the Community Workshop on Radar Technologies: Boulder, CO; 27-29 November 2012.
Josh Aikins, Katja Friedrich, Bart Geerts, Josh Wurman, and Karen Kosiba (2012). Dual-Polarization Radar Analysis of ASCII 2012 Cloud Seeding Experiment. Poster presented at the 2012 Poster Conference for Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Related Sciences: Boulder, CO; 26 November 2012.
Josh Aikins (2011). Making Climate Hot: Communicating NOAA's Role in Monitoring Greenhouse Gases. Presented at NOAA Science and Education Symposium: Silver Spring, Maryland; 1-5 August 2011.
SKILLS
Technology
Microsoft Office
Windows OS
Mac OS
Linux (CentOS, Scientific Linux, Ubuntu)
IDL programming (proficient)
Bash/csh scripting (intermediate)
Python (beginner)
R programming (beginner)
HTML/PHP web scripting (beginner)
FTP/SFTP/SSH
Radx radar processing software
REORDER radar software
soloii & solo3 radar visualization software
TITAN radar systems & translation of radar I/Q time series
oban radar objective analysis code
opaws dual-Doppler radar analysis code
Synology data servers
TeamViewer
ArcGIS (beginner)
Git
Instrumentation
OTT Parsivel & Parsivel2 Disdrometers
Campbell Scientific dataloggers
Graw radiosondes
METEK Microwave Rain Radar (MRR)
Doppler On Wheels (DOW) mobile radars
Radiometrics microwave radiometers
RM Young anemometers
Gill sonic anemometers
Temperature/relative humidity probes
Picarro CO2 & CH4 gas analyzers
Communication
Customer service (4 yrs)
Tutoring
Technical document writing
Forecast discussions
Research journal article writing & reviewing
Scientific presentations/talks
Three years of Spanish language studies
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder, NOLS Wilderness Medical Institute (December 2016)
CRLA Level I & II Tutoring Certification (2008)
General
Passion for weather/meteorology, traveling, field work, scientific instrumentation & observations, data visualization & management, data quality control, hiking, skiing, and contributing to atmospheric research
FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Scholarship (2014-2017)
ARCS Foundation advances science and technology in the United States by providing financial awards to academically outstanding U.S. citizens studying to complete degrees in science, engineering, and medical research.
American Meteorological Society (AMS) Graduate Fellowship (2012-2013)
Awarded to outstanding students looking to pursue graduate education in the atmospheric or related sciences. Financial support to maintain a full course load over their first year of graduate study, the opportunity to be special guests at the AMS Annual Meeting and exclusive events, a unique tour of several agencies in the Washington DC area, and ongoing academic and career advocation and support from AMS is provided.
EMSAGE Laureate (Class of 2012)
Awarded to students from the College of Earth & Mineral Sciences that pursue activities and accomplishments that demonstrate breadth and depth in the areas of global awareness, professional and civic service, and leadership. Laureate graduates have compiled a resume that will provide a substantial competitive edge in the global economy upon graduation.
NASA Pennsylvania State Grant Consortium Scholarship (2011-2012)
Awarded to students attending an accredited Pennsylvania college or university with outstanding academic records, enrolled in science, engineering, or mathematics, and likely to pursue a career in an area of interest to NASA with demonstrated potential for graduate study.
NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Scholar (2010-2012)
A prestigious award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration designed to increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary training opportunities.
Penn State Meteorology Department Marshal (Spring 2012 Graduating Class)
John and Elizabeth Holmes Teas Scholarship (2011-2012)
Donald L. and Ellen Eberly Endowed Scholarship in Meteorology (2010-2011)
John G. Miller Memorial Scholarship (2009-2011)
Oscar and Beulah Lash Scholarship (2009-2010)
CRLA Level I & II Tutoring Certification
Department of Meteorology Dean’s Freshman Scholarship (2008 -2009)
Freshman Press Chemistry Award (2009)
ORGANIZATIONS
American Meteorological Society (AMS) member (2012 - Present)
Chi Epsilon Pi Meteorological Honor Society
Golden Key International Honour Society
The Phi Beta Kappa Society
Penn State Campus Weather Service (2010 - 2012)
Mount Washington Observatory Member
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
