KATIA LAMER
  • Home
  • Research Interests
    • Factors controlling boundary layer clouds
    • Linking models and observations
    • State-of-the-art cloud remote Sensing >
      • Ground-based multi-dimentional observations of clouds and precipitation
      • Spaceborne observations of shallow and low-level targets
    • Applied research - Urban meteorology and renewable energy
  • Publications
  • Media
  • Presentations
  • Contributions
  • Contact

Welcome to my site, I am Katia Lamer

 ​Scientist in the department of Environmental and Climate Sciences of Brookhaven National Laboratory &
Director of Operations at the Center for Multiscale Applied Sensing

About me

I am the oldest of three, born and raised on the South Shore of Montreal, Canada. As a child I was always fascinated by the devastating power of the four elements. For a while I thought natural disasters were just a thing of movies, but since the 1998 Ice Storm forced my family out of our house for a month, I can personally testify that they are the real thing. Seeking to better understand the different parts of the Earth system (atmosphere, ocean and geology), I later enrolled in the Earth System Science program of McGill University. Geochemist Alfonso Mucci gave me my first opportunity to conduct research. But it isn’t until I joined the radar meteorology group of Pavlos Kollias for a summer internship that I found my true passion: boundary layer meteorology.

The bulk of my early research has focused on improving our understanding of the the dynamical and macrophysical properties of boundary layer clouds. This research has led me to develop expertise in analyzing observations from several ground-based and spaceborn sensors including radar (zenith-pointing and scanning), lidar (backscatter, Doppler, micropulse and Raman), microwave radiometers and surface flux systems. Beyond being able to integrate and interpret the various measurements taken by these sensors, I have acquired a strong understanding of their capabilities and limitations.
 
I used this knowledge during the course of my Ph.D. at the Pennylvania State University to develop a forward-simulator tool designed to bridge the gap between ground-based observations and general circulation model output with the goal of evaluating the coverage and microphysical phase of clouds and precipitation [The (GO)2-SIM simulator]. During my Ph.D., I was also able to broaden my knowledge base as I learned about microphysical parameterizations and ice and mixed-phase cloud processes. But perhaps more valuable are all the soft skill I acquired by leading projects involving people of diverse backgrounds (observationalists, modelers, academics and professionals).

More recently I joined Brookhaven National Lab where I was challenged to apply my knowledge of remote sensing and atmospheric science to the urban challenges. This effort led to the rapid growth of the Center for Multiscale Applied Sensing (CMAS), which now owns and operates two mobile observatories and a fixed atmospheric observatory. As the leader of the Renewable Energies & Research and Development I strive to expand our footprint in urban weather monitoring by connecting with stakeholders and continuously educating myself about new technologies and scientific breakthroughs in the field of atmospheric science.

I always seek to find new collaborative opportunities and love to educate and share my research. I hope this website will help you learn more about me and my research.

I look forward to connecting with you,
Kindly,
Katia
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Education

Ph.D., Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences                                                                                                                              05/2019  
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States 
Thesis: The relative occurrence of liquid water, ice and mixed-phase conditions within cloud and precipitation regimes: Long term ground-based observations for GCM model evaluation
 
M.S., Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences                                                                                                                                          12/2014
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Thesis: Observations of the variability of shallow trade-wind cumulus cloudiness and mass flux in relation to boundary layer structure
GPA: 3.72/4.00
 
B.S., Earth System Sciences                                                                                                                                                                 05/2013
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Dean’s Honor List
GPA: 3.83/4.00 (with distinction)

Employment 

Assistant scientist &                                                                                                                                                                12/2021-present
Director of Operations of the Center for Multiscale Applied Sensing                                                                           03/2022-present
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, Unites States
Department of Environmental and Climate Sciences
 
Research associate                                                                                                                                                                  12/2019-present
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, Unites States
Department of Environmental and Climate Sciences
Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Vogelmann
 
Post-doctoral researcher                                                                                                                                                       03/2019-11/2019
City University of New York, City College, New York, Unites States
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Supervisor: Dr. James F. Booth
 
Graduate assistant                                                                                                                                                                 08/2015-12/2018
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States      
Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences
Supervisor: Dr. Eugene E. Clothiaux
 
Research assistant                                                                                                                                                                  12/2014-08/2015
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Supervisor: Dr. Pavlos Kollias
 
Undergraduate research assistant                                                                                                                                      02/2014-04/2014
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Supervisor: Dr. Pavlos Kollias
 
Summer exchange student                                                                                                                                                                   07/2013
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Department of Environmental Sciences
Project: Boundary layer characterization using Doppler lidar and eddy correlation observations
Supervisor: Dr. Mark A. Miller
 
Undergraduate research assistant                                                                                                                                       12/2012-04/2013
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Supervisor: Dr. Pavlos Kollias
 
Summer undergraduate research assistant                                                                                                                       04/2012-08/2012
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada 
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Supervisor: Dr. Pavlos Kollias
 
Summer undergraduate research assistant                                                                                                                        06/2011-09/2011
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Department of Geology
Project: St-Lawrence river characterization using pH and salinity water testing
Supervisor: Dr. Alfonso Mucci
 
Waitress and shift supervisor                                                                                                                                                        2007-2010
       Tim Hortons Coffee Shop
       Owner: Nathalie Beauregard
 
Day camp leader                                                                                                                                                                         Summer 2007
        Camp de jour de Saint-Dominique   
        Person in charge: Julie Bachand                              

Scholarships, Awards and Features

- Spotlight Award in recognition of exceptional job performance                                                                                                 06/2021
   (Competitive within Brookhaven National Laboratory, nominated by peers)
- Spotlight Award in recognition of exceptional job performance                                                                                                 12/2020
   (Competitive within Brookhaven National Laboratory, nominated by peers)
- Research Highlight in the 2020 ARM Annual Review. “Look to the Clouds to Represent Rain in Large-scale Model”
​highlight and quote prepared by A. E. Hunzinger.                                                                                                                            10/2020
- Canada Steamship Lines Award, McGill University                                                                                                                       08/2013
- Research Scholarship for the M.S. degree, Fonds de Recherche Nature et Technologies                                                        04/2013
   (Competitive across the state of Quebec, application required)
- Student Undergraduate Research Award, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sc., McGill University                                                  04/2013
   (Competitive across McGill University, application required)
- Undergraduate Research Conference, 2nd Recipient, Earth Science, McGill University                                                           10/2012
- Student Undergraduate Research Award, Earth Planetary Science, McGill University                                                             06/2011
    (Competitive across McGill University, application required)
- Salme Nommik Bursary, McGill University                                                                                                                                       10/2011
- Tim Hortons Scholarship, McGill University                                                                                                                                   10/2010
    (Competitive across Quebec, application required)
The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Energy or of Brookhaven National Laboratory
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  • Home
  • Research Interests
    • Factors controlling boundary layer clouds
    • Linking models and observations
    • State-of-the-art cloud remote Sensing >
      • Ground-based multi-dimentional observations of clouds and precipitation
      • Spaceborne observations of shallow and low-level targets
    • Applied research - Urban meteorology and renewable energy
  • Publications
  • Media
  • Presentations
  • Contributions
  • Contact