When Mike Coniglio ’97 looked up to the snowy skies over Western New York as a child, he would never have been able to forecast the career path ahead of him.

The National Severe Storms Laboratory research meteorologist was one of just 100 recognized nationwide with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government to this group of professionals.

While his earliest weather phenomena fascination was with lake-effect snow, Coniglio’s primary research today revolves around tornadoes in Wyoming and Oklahoma, where the laboratory is based.

“It started with the snow,” he said. It kept him in Upstate New York, where Professor Robert Ballentine became a mentor.

“He made sure I was up on the latest opportunities for graduate school and research opportunities,” said Coniglio, who went on to master's and doctoral studies at Oklahoma University.

The presidential award recognizes both innovative research and a commitment to public outreach. Coniglio and his staff essentially use their data and analysis to help forecasters make better predictions about severe weather.

Of course, that involves some field work that the young scientist relishes. In fact, he even has worked with some scientists who appeared in a PBS special about storm chasing that Coniglio viewed as a youngster and remembers well.

“Once you see something like a tornado and experience that in person, it leaves an incredible impression. [It makes me] want to learn more about it and understand it,” Coniglio said.

— Shane M. Liebler

PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Upper photo: Michael Coniglio ’97 is accompanied by President Barack Obama’s Science Adviser John Holdren, left.
Lower photo: Coniglio and his wife, Kimberly.

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