April 2010

VERONICA TUNZI, Staff Writer

In Conversation With ... Saroja Polavarapu, a meteorological research scientist at Environment Canada.

What's your typical day like?
I perform research that tries to improve weather and climate predictions. Specifically, I study a subject called "data assimilation," which is the process of using measurements to launch weather forecasts. My research operates on a long-term scale. That means that the work I do now will see benefits a few years down the road.

On a typical day, I work on at least a few different projects: In one of my projects, I submit technological improvements to the Canadian Meteorological Centre, which eventually leads to more accurate weather forecasts within the year. I also perform new research, which is later published in scholarly journals. These articles are read by research scientists around the world and provide new ideas for improved forecast models.

My day-to-day work can involve writing computer code, having group meetings to discuss science or technical issues, writing and reading reports or journal articles, and reviewing articles submitted for publication in international journals. Occasionally, my colleagues and I provide advice to scientists or managers on particular scientific questions. We also travel to international conferences to present and discuss our latest results.

What qualities does one need to be a successful meteorological research scientist?
You need to be driven by a quest for knowledge and have the interest and ability to learn new material. Meteorological research tends to be a collaborative effort, so you need to be able to work effectively with other people. It takes a large team of people to make improvements to weather models and forecast products. Research also often involves groups of people who each have a slightly different skill to contribute to the team.

Good organizational, writing and speaking skills are important. It is also useful to have a willingness and an aptitude for writing computer programs.

How did you get to where you are today in your career?
I first learned about meteorological research as a summer student during my undergraduate years. I was employed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and was rehired each summer. Over the years, I was assigned more complex tasks and got to work with research scientists in my final year. At that point, I realized the career opportunities in meteorology, and the scientists I worked with advised me where to go to get my degree.

I did a master’s degree and a PhD in atmospheric physics at the University of Toronto. I later joined Environment Canada as a post-doctoral fellow and began to study my new specialty of data assimilation, which was not taught in universities in those days. Over the years, I gained a lot of experience with the technical and theoretical aspects of my field. I learned the theory by doing lots of reading (journal articles, reports, etc.) and attending conferences. I always loved to write, so that aspect of the work came easily to me.

I'm also an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto where I teach a graduate course. Teaching has not only helped to solidify my understanding of my field, but it's also stimulating since it exposes me to the fresh ideas and questions of students.

Over the years, I've also done a lot of collaborating. My collaborators are local, across Canada and across the world (the United States, Europe, and South America). If you participate in conferences and publish papers, your work becomes known within your field. In my case, it also led to participation in international committees and to organizing international conferences.

What's the best thing about the job?
What I like best are the hours that I get to sit and think about a problem and puzzle over the results. Research is like a giant puzzle, and when the results make sense, it's exhilarating. It's this drive to advance scientific knowledge that keeps most of us going from day to day. The fact that our work gets published and sometimes recognized also doesn't hurt. Basically, we are always learning something new every day, so work is never boring.

What's the worst thing about the job?
What I dislike the most is all the paperwork, which I feel prevents me from doing what I love -- research.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a meteorological research scientist?
A summer job with a professor or in a lab can provide a wonderful experience. You can get a sense of whether you like the working environment and the field of study. I would suggest getting a good education starting with a bachelor’s degree in physics, math or chemistry. If you are sure of your direction, then pursue a graduate degree in atmospheric physics, atmospheric chemistry, mathematics, engineering (fluid dynamics) or geography. A master's degree is required, but most research scientists also have a PhD plus some post-doctoral experience in meteorology. Because you may have to collaborate with people across Canada, it's helpful to be bilingual (specifically, in English and French).