EPA researcher evaluates risk levels of extreme temperature events

Greg Tierney, Ph.D., grew up in city infamous for its extreme weather: Buffalo, New York. In the winter, cold air passes over the (comparatively) warmer Great Lakes, leading to cloud formation and the “lake effect” snowstorms that are synonymous with the Buffalo region. Growing up in these conditions led to Tierney’s fascination with atmospheric science from a young age. He sought advice from prominent local Buffalo meteorologist Don Paul and former National Weather Service meteorologist Tom Niziol.

Tierney decided to pursue meteorology as a career path, earning a bachelor’s degree in atmospheric science from Cornell University. At Cornell, Tierney became interested in doing research and worked with mentor Peter Gierasch, Ph.D., on one of the most extreme weather systems in our solar system, Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. This research path led Tierney to a master’s and Ph.D. at the University of Michigan with Derek Posselt, Ph.D., serving as Tierney’s graduate advisor.

As a postdoc, Tierney heard about the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Research Participation Programs through friends who had enjoyed their experiences as participants.

The EPA Research Participation Programs provide college students, recent graduates, and university faculty opportunities to participate in current environmental research in areas such as air and radiation, water quality, solid waste and emergency response.

“I applied because the position offered a lot of flexibility in terms of the subjects I could pursue, allowing me to learn new skills and attack new research problems in a supportive environment with unique resources,” Tierney says.

Tierney was accepted to the program and is now currently a part of the Natural Systems Characterization branch within the Atmospheric & Environmental Systems Modeling Division at the EPA’s Office of Research and Development. He also collaborates with the EPA’s Downscaling and Adaptation Team, which specializes in downscaling climate model data for regional and local use.

In his research project, Tierney is attempting to create a framework for evaluating the risk of extreme and dangerous temperature events such as heat waves and cold snaps.

“Although high-impact weather events such as tornadoes and hurricanes often take the headlines,” Tierney explains, “heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States.”

Tierney’s research framework uses intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves to evaluate the risks of extreme temperature events. Combined with framework from National Weather Service forecasts and real-time observations, Tierney’s research results in a powerful tool to provide context for extreme weather events.

“Such research will hopefully help to spur better action plans to protect community members – especially those in underserved and vulnerable communities – from the hazards of extreme temperatures,” Tierney says.

A typical day for Tierney is spent between meetings, writing or working on new features for his current code.

“During the heat season (between May and September), I run an evaluation of my real-time product for upcoming heat waves to have an archive for potential future study,” Tierney explains.

When asked if he would recommend the ORISE program to others, Tierney emphasizes the freedom to expand his skillset and research background.

“The experience has been great,” he says. “I have felt well-supported by my mentor Megan Mallard, Ph.D., and colleagues. Moreover, those in my division have been open to helping me experience all that goes on at the EPA beyond research, including how research prioritization and planning is carried out to determine the future direction of the agency’s research portfolio.”

Tierney has had the opportunity to present his research at the Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society for the past three years, including a poster and a talk this year. He has also presented multiple seminars at the EPA, national workshops, a seminar at North Carolina State and the 2023 ORISE Postdoc Mini-Symposium, in which he took second place in the poster competition.

After his fellowship, Tierney hopes to continue doing research that has an impact on people at some level. Additionally, he wants to give back and serve as a mentor to those who are new to the field.

“I want to help them find the research areas and motivations that will drive them to do the best and most impactful work,” Tierney says of his potential mentees.

The skills that Tierney has gained throughout his fellowship have allowed him to be a more comprehensive resource for others when it comes to interpreting climate data.

As Tierney explains, “This is increasingly important in a world where climate change is becoming more and more a tangible concern.”

The EPA Research Participation Programs are administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). ORISE is managed for the U.S Department of Energy by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU).