Greetings! My name is Dominique Marshall and as far back as I can remember I have had a deep interest in science and understanding the world around me. That interest has grown and continued itself into my adulthood. Currently, I am a rising senior working towards my Bachelors of Science in Meteorology at Jackson State University, home to the Mighty Tigers and the Sonic Boom of the South!

Upon first entering Jackson State University’s Meteorology program in the fall of 2011, I was exposed to the vast possibilities and career opportunities that the meteorology and atmospheric sciences field had to offer. I was fascinated by tornadoes and other weather phenomena, and I was so intrigued that I wanted to learn as much as I could about them. Over the course of my matriculation at Jackson State University, I have built upon these interests by exposing myself to vastly different fields in which I could use my degree other than the norm or stigma of storm chasing and broadcasting. I have proven so by studying models, research applications, and emergency management through different research experiences and opportunities. I have also obtained different backgrounds in mathematics and computers sciences with emphasis on programs like Mathematica, C, Fortran, and Matlab. I've used these programs to write codes and produce models.

My initial experience linked me with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and its Teacher Quality & Retention Program (TQRP). TQRP allows its fellows to work with master teachers and provides financial resources, training and to students in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) fields who would be an essential toolin reshaping the youth through education. It was with TQRP that I discovered how strong my passion for education and educating those after me really was. I developedand presented lesson plans that where within the standard of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. The following academic school year I was selected for theIMAS-RAP (Introducing Minorities to Atmospheric Science through Research, Application & Partnership). Through this program I volunteered with children from the 6th-12th grades in conducting research of their own, so that they could submit their works in science fairs in the Jackson Public Schools area. I was also responsible for developing lesson plans for the classes held bi-monthly.

During that same year I became a volunteer intern at Jackson State University’s newest extension, WeatherVision, where I worked with Chief Meteorologist Edward Saint Pé. WeatherVision provides weathercasts to more than 100 stations nationwide. While there I collected forecast data for an average of 30 cities per day and also designed the forecast models used for broadcasting.

In the summer of 2014, I gained the opportunity to work along side a brilliant mentor and innovator Dr. Malcolm LeCompte with the CReSIS program at Elizabeth City State University. UnderDr. LeCompte’s mentorship I took part in an archaeological expedition where I was trained to use software programs likeEnviClassic 4.7 and Radan. The EnviClassic software was used for georeferencing an old colonial map with a DOQQ map to unveil a layer of history buried beneath the soils of North Carolina’s first capitol and old colonial towns, Edenton, NC. The knowledge and skills that I have gained are amazing and truly made for great experiences. It is because of those experiences that I look forward for more within the future.

In the immediate fall semester, I will have the opportunity to continue research under the mentorship of some great scientists. I was selected to become a fellow of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-Center for Atmospheric Sciences (NCAS) through its division at Jackson State University in the fall of 2013. I will be working under Mentor and Associate Professor Dr. Dunjuan Lu with his works on the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model (HYSPLIT) Model using Lagrangian and Eulerian approach.

As a student I have obtained membership in different professional and honors organization including the American Meteorological Society, National Blue Key Honor Society where I am the student president of my chapter, and Alpha Mu Gamma National Foreign Language Society. I am also a member of the Meteorology Club at Jackson State University. 

As I move toward graduate school, my interest in atmospheric science has grown.  I would like to make my knowledge and background more versatile by obtaining a graduate degree that would compliment my undergraduate studies. At this time, I am considering a degree in computer science as well as one in atmospheric science.