J. Marshall Shepherd is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor and Regents’ Professor at the University of Georgia and director of the atmospheric sciences program at the University of Georgia. And he was the 2013 president of the American Meteorological Society.
[This interview was edited for length and clarity.]
How would you describe the present state of American science?
You know, we nonetheless have a few of the finest scientists and innovation and technology and assets in the world. When I take into consideration my very own discipline, which encompasses meteorology and local weather science, and I have a look at the place we’re, now we have made great advances in weather forecasting technology and accuracy. When I have a look at issues like twin‑polarimetric Doppler radar and superior weather satellites and a brand new era of artificial-intelligence‑primarily based forecast fashions, which might nail tornadoes, now, two hours prematurely or inform us, seven days, out precisely the place a hurricane goes to make landfall—simply from the lens of my very own self-discipline, I consider that we’re in a really thrilling time for innovation, science and technology. There are actually headwinds in that house, however we nonetheless have a few of the brightest minds and finest assets and finest methods in the world.
What wants to alter in American science?
I consider we have to produce what I name finish‑to‑finish science, from a coaching standpoint. When we practice the subsequent era of students, scientists, technologists, engineers, mathematicians, and so forth, we do a extremely good job coaching them to write down dissertations and grasp’s theses and current at scientific conferences. We don’t do an excellent job of manufacturing what I name finish‑to‑finish scientists—scientists that may talk with the media, testify earlier than policymakers and take into consideration the translational points of what they’re doing extra than simply the theoretical lab, ivory‑tower framing of that work.
What provides you optimism proper now?
What provides me optimism is: we face some daunting challenges—every part from … COVID to local weather change—however in all of these instances, they aren’t essentially depraved issues. We have options. We have the know‑how. In the case of COVID, the science, technology and medical group quickly developed vaccines that might counter the impacts of such viruses.
In the case of weather forecasting, now we have not seen, primarily, a wind‑shear‑associated aviation accident in a few years. That used to occur all the time 40, 50 years in the past. In the case of Hurricane Melissa in 2025, we knew many, many days prematurely that Jamaica was going to face a catastrophic hurricane and have been in a position to get ready. So now we have the technology to face a few of the daunting challenges of our time. Even issues like local weather change—whereas dire and positively the disaster of a era—we all know what must be finished, each on the mitigation entrance—discount of carbon emissions—and likewise the adaptation entrance. We have the technology, now we have the engineering to transition to renewable fuels, to develop infrastructure resiliency by way of new, progressive technology. We’re not sitting round at the mercy of the challenges. We have the scientific and technical know‑how. We simply want the will and the funding.
What’s your finest recommendation for an early‑profession scientist?
My finest recommendation for an early‑profession scientist is to grow to be an finish‑to‑finish scientist. Develop the talent units that we historically count on—publishing rigorous analysis [and] replication of that analysis and presenting it in scholarly methods—but in addition develop talent units in writing, persuasive writing, talking, oratorical expertise, the means to speak to the media.
If my colleagues in the ivory tower are hesitant to tweet or have interaction on social media, when, the truth is, most individuals now obtain their scientific data from social media or the Internet, we, as students, should be in these areas, too. If we’re not, folks with misinformation, disinformation or lack of knowledge will fill these voids.
How has your discipline modified in the previous few years?
The emergence of synthetic intelligence. Back in 2025 a few of the finest hurricane forecast fashions have been AI‑primarily based fashions. We can’t concern them. There are alternatives for actually enhancing our weather and diagnostic forecasting capability. Yes, there are challenges with knowledge facilities, water and vitality use, however I’m assured we are able to determine that out technologically.
Beyond that, superior radar, satellite tv for pc capabilities, phased‑array weather radars—these will likely be sport changers. But considered one of the greatest adjustments I’ve seen is the incorporation of social and behavioral sciences. A forecast may be technically good, but when folks don’t obtain, perceive or interpret it correctly, it fails.