Melissa Mokry, phd

Severe Weather Social Scientist

Dr. Melissa Mokry is a contractor supporting the WPO Social Science and the VORTEX-USA Programs.

Melissa brings an interdisciplinary perspective to severe and hazardous weather. She has experience related to wildfire incidents as Public Information Officer (PIO), emergency preparedness and environmental compliance related to the drinking water industry, editorial experience within water resources, and as an adjunct faculty members in geography. She previously worked on research projects with the National Weather Service, and Colorado Climate Center.

Dr. Mokry received her Doctorate in Public Communication and Technology from Colorado State University, with an emphasis on risk communication, risk perception, and wildfires. Her Masters Degree is in Geography from the University of North Dakota, where her research focused on a place vulnerability analysis and geospatial assessment of flooding.  She has a Bachelors of Arts in Geography from Gustavus Adolphus College.

Her passion for weather ignited over the years from watching hurricane updates on the tv, to participating in storm spotter training to volunteering after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.