-Matthew Varela-
I am currently a graduate student at Penn State. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma in May 2023 with a B.S. in Meteorology, minors in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Mathematics, and Magna Cum Laude distinction
Education
University of Oklahoma
Graduation Date: May 2023
Major in Meteorology
Minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Minor in Mathematics
Magna Cum Laude Distinction (3.73 GPA)
Current Job
Penn State Graduate Research Assistant- Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
Current Leadership Positions
2021-2023 AMS CHALA Student Ambassador
Resume
Education
Pennsylvania State University 2023-Present
University of Oklahoma 2019-2023
- GPA: 3.73
- Meteorology Major, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Minor, and Mathematics Minor
- Magna Cum Laude Distinction
Skills
- Proficient on Google Drive and Microsoft Word
- Proficient use of Adobe Products, including Photoshop and InDesign
- Proficient with Statistical Software, such as SPSS, and GIS software, such as ArcGIS
- Experience with coding in Python, R, Java, and MATLAB
Work Experience
National Weather Service (NWS) Severe, Fire, Public, and Winter Weather Services Branch Pathways Intern (NWS Analyze, Forecast and Support Office; June 2023- August 2023
- Research within Severe and Winter Programs
- Calculated verification Statistics for Winter Collaborative Forecast Process
- Conducted literature review, interviews with 8 forecast offices, and reviewed national safety campaign messaging and materials for Advancing Severe Weather Outreach, Safety, and Public Messaging
- Participated in Latinos@NOAA ERG
Pennsylvania State University Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Climate Science; June 2022- August 2022
- Research on Quantifying the Resident-Based and Mobility-Based Human Exposure to PM 2.5 in San Francisco in 2021
- Presented at Final Symposium for REU in August
- Presented at AMS Student Conference in January 2023
Student Outreach Assistant at Oklahoma Mesonet/Oklahoma Climatological Survey (OCS); February 2020-May 2023
- Handles logistics for all OK-First classes.
- Involved in record breaking OK-First 2021 training season, including:
- Highest annual training total in program history (554 people trained)
- Most people to complete re-certification training in any season in program history (221 people)
- Largest Certification class in program history (77 people)
- Locates appropriate venues, updates class announcements, handles class registrations and prepares printed materials for classes.
- Supports instructors and participants as a roving instructor during classes.
Albedometer Maintenance at Oklahoma Mesonet/Oklahoma Climatological Survey (OCS); October 2020-May 2021
- Conducted weekly checks on albedometer (weather instrument) at the Norman, Oklahoma airport.
- Cleaned albdeometer and submitted pictures to Wagoner Wind.
Activities/Leadership
American Meteorological Society Committee for Hispanic and Latinx Advancement (AMS CHALA); 2021- Present
- Current Position: Student Ambassador Lead
- Previous Position: Student Ambassador (2021-2023)
- Participated in creation of internship/scholarship list to expand resources to underrepresented students
- Participated in creation of AMS CHALA Introduction Video for colleges and universities across the country
University of Oklahoma Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association (SCAN); 2019- 2023
- Previous Position: Vice President of Internal Affairs
- Previous Position: Sophomore Class Representative
- Work with a group of 12 executive members and lead 80 members
- Advise and assist president in overseeing activities of organization pertaining to internal affairs of the organization
- Through SCAN, I have gotten the chance to hear from various meteorologists who work in different areas of the field.
OU Meteorology Student Affairs Committee; 2019-2021
- Previous Position: Sophomore Class Representative
- Through SCAN, I have gotten the chance to hear from various meteorologists who work in different areas of the field.
- Participated in New Student Mentoring Program during freshman year
- Participated in School of Meteorology Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Meetings
- Acts as a liaison between students and School of Meteorology
Oklahoma Weather Lab; 2019-2023
- Previous Position: Summer 2021 Monday Night Shift Leader, Fall 2021 Monday Night Shift Leader
- Through OWL, I have gotten the chance to practice my forecast skills in multiple areas:
- Key West Radio Recording- Create a “radio hit” for 106.9 FM in Key West. Tasks include writing a script and recording.
- Forecast Discussion- Write “in-depth” forecasts that are based off of National Weather Service forecast discussions
- Facebook Discussion- These discussions are more user-friendly for Facebook users.
- Forecasting- Use models and knowledge from class to predict low and high temperatures in various cities across Oklahoma.
- Former Position: Summer 2021 Monday Night Co-Shift Leader
- Current Position: Fall 2021 Monday Night Co-Shift Leader
University of Oklahoma College Bowl Executive Committee; 2019-2020
- Previous Position: Secretary
- Helped plan, organize, and run OU College Bowl- OU’s own version of Quiz Bowl, a pop culture trivia tournament
- Sent out weekly emails and took notes at weekly meetings.
Boy Scouts; 2011-2018
- Achieved Eagle Scout in July 2018- For my Eagle Scout Service Project, I met with Municipal Utility District (MUD) officials, designed, and led a group of scouts in installing lightning safety signs on River Place Nature Trail in Northwest Austin,Texas.
- Held various leadership positions in the Troop such as Troop Guide (2016), and Philmont Crew Leader (2017).
- Attended National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) in 2015
Honors/Awards
- Eagle Scout
- University of Oklahoma President’s Award for Outstanding Freshman Recipient– presented to the top 15 freshman annually
- University of Oklahoma PACE Award Recipient (Participation in campus activities, Academic Achievement, Community Service, Excellence in Leadership)
- 2019 and 2022 Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Scholar
- South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center International Studies Scholarship Recipient
- Presidential International Travel Fellowship
- David James Shellburg Memorial Scholarship Recipient
- Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2021, Spring 2023 Dean’s Honor Roll
- Fall 2019 President’s Honor Roll
- Spring 2023 President’s Honor Roll