Why TCBL: TCs are fueled through the boundary layer, dissipate through boundary-layer friction, and produce their most consequential hazards within it. Understanding boundary-layer processes is therefore fundamental to improving hurricane modeling, forecasting, and hazard prediction. 

Personal statement:  I'm fascinated by all types of swirls. The "giant swirls"  or TCs are my career passion.  A TC's life is akin to a human's in many respects; this is what I love most about my job.

Ethan Prunty is a PhD student from New Orleans, Louisiana! He received a BS in Meteorology from the University of South Alabama in 2024 and an MS degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2026. He is researching how tropical cyclones can survive and intensify in moderate-to-high-shear environments with land interaction for his PhD studies. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, hiking, watching movies, riding roller coasters, and has a unique love for trains!

Amanda Binger is a master's student from Kansas City, Missouri! She received a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Kansas in 2022 and completed graduate-level meteorology coursework through the Naval Postgraduate School. At the University of Arizona, she is studying atmospheric electricity for the USAF, focusing on NASA's Lightning Launch Commit Criteria (LLCC). Her research utilizes radar reflectivity and historical climatological datasets to evaluate the Thick Cloud Layer Rule for spaceport launch window optimization. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, baking, and spending time with her family!

Deelan Jariwala is a master's student from West Orange, New Jersey. He received a B.S. in Meteorology and Mathematics from the University of Miami, where he worked on the Hurricane Dataset Reanalysis Project at the NHC and did research on the vertical alignment of tilted tropical cyclones. At the University of Arizona, he is studying how a hurricane's boundary layer evolves as it makes landfall. When he's not studying hurricanes, you might find him cooking, reading about politics, or scrolling on social media.