Research F aculty Excellence Junior F aculty Award Paul Loikith, Ph.D. PAUL LOIKITH, assistant professor of Geography and Director of PSUI Climate Science Lab, joined Portland State Universiry in September 2015. In his short time at the University he has made outstanding research contributions in climate science, published five new articles, mentored his students to remarkable achievements, and coilaborated with geographers, civil engineers, and other natural and social scientists on a range of research projects at PSU. Professor Loikith holds a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science from Rutgers University and is rapidly establishing an international reputation with his research, which focuses on the intersection of weather and climate. In partlcular, Professor Loikith is interested in understanding the dynamic and thermodynamic mechanisms that drive extreme temperature and precipirarion events and applying this understanding to evaluate climate modeis in order to better understand projections of future climate. Professor Loikith has published highly influenriaJ papers in prestigious climate science journals, including GeophTsical Research Letters. He has presenred his work in major professional societies such as the American Geophysical Union, American Meteorological Sociery and American Association of Geographers, and led international workshop sessions. Professor Loikith has received major grants from the U.S. National Science Foundation and NASA, totaling over $1 million. Professor Loikirh brings his cuttingedge research into his classroom and graduate student advising, where he consistently provides his students with exci ring opportuniries lor insrruction and collaborarion. including presenring at professional meetings and authorship of papers. A faculty fellow of PSU's Institute for Sustainable Solutions, Professor Loikith also contributes to communiry research projects, working with fellow faculry and in partnership with the ciqy of Portland and Clackamas River'Water Providers. The Junior Faculty Research Excellence Award is given annually to an assistant or associate professor who produces outstanding and original scholarly works ar an impressive rate while engaging students in the kind of rigorous research that typifies PSUI commitment to excellence and to "let knowledge serve." 1B
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