Marshall Shepherd

Marshall Shepherd emphasizes that American science remains strong, buoyed by advances in weather forecasting and technology, but calls for better communication skills among scientists. As the University of Georgia's Distinguished Professor and Regents' Professor and director of the atmospheric sciences program, he notes breakthroughs such as dual-polarimetric Doppler radar, advanced weather satellites, and AI-based forecast models that can predict tornadoes two hours in advance or hurricane landfalls seven days out. He argues for training end-to-end scientists who can communicate with the media and policymakers and translate findings into societal impact. He remains optimistic despite challenges like COVID and climate change, citing vaccines and improved forecasting that reduce aviation risk.