Kaitlin Huelse
Internship Season
Summer 2025-2026
Internship Alignment
EPIC
Institution and PhD Advisor
Colorado School of Mines | Eric Anderson
Proposal Title
Improvement of Lake Representation in Operational Weather Forecasting
What inspired you to become a scientist (maybe something from your childhood or youth)?
Even though I grew up in landlocked Idaho, I have always had a deep fascination and curiosity for the ocean. From an early age, I was drawn to understanding the mysteries and complexities of marine environments, always wanting to uncover the “why” behind how things worked, especially when it came to the vast unknowns of the ocean.
What do you hope to achieve with your WINGS PhD Dissertation Fellowship opportunity?
I hope to push science forward with my research and directly contribute to more accurate and reliable weather forecasts. I am also looking forward to learning from and collaborating with exceptional scientists.
How does your research generally contribute to our world as a whole (in a way that the average person can understand and relate to)?
My research aims to enhance weather forecasting by improving the representation of large lakes in predictive models, especially during the winter months, which are currently less understood. Improved forecasts lead to better preparedness for severe weather conditions such as storms, heavy snowfall, and dangerous waves, ultimately keeping communities safer.
