Benjamin Fellman

Name: Benjamin Fellman

Hometown: Rockville, Maryland

Anticipated graduation: Spring 2021

Major: Meteorology

Minor: Mathematics and Environmental Hazards and Emergency Management (EHEM)

Internships/Research/Projects:

In 2017, I was able to be a part of the SEAR-MAR project that Millersville University hosted. During this project, I was able to fly on a flight where we collected data on mountain waves over the Blue Ridge Mountain chain. This research project acted as a catalyst for my passion for future research involvement within Meteorology.

In 2018, I was able to travel to Puerto Rico, where I worked in San Juan, Puerto Rico for a week on a disaster relief project. Just 9 months earlier, Hurricane Maria caused catastrophic damage across the entire island. Seeing this damage and devastation in person from this event sparked my interest for studying hurricanes. I am hopeful that in Graduate school I am able to study this phenomenon and be able to complete work within this field of Meteorology.

In 2019, I was fortunate enough to receive the Hollings Scholarship. Within this prestigious program, I was able to complete a 10-week research internship with the National Weather Service in Key West, Florida. For my research, I analyzed how synoptic-scale events, including the Madden-Julian Oscillation and the Bermuda High, affected waterspout frequency within the Florida Keys.

Inspirations (for major, research, internship):

I have always had a love and passion for weather from the time that I was a child. My family and friends have always pushed me to follow my dream of studying the weather, so I owe much of my accomplishments and work to them. Moreover, being able to interact with those in person who have experienced such tragedy from weather events inspires me to be able to complete work that will hopefully save lives one day.

Highlights (from courses/internship/research):

Millersville University and the professors within the Meteorology department have allowed me to broaden my horizons as to how much research there is left to explore within the field. Moreover, it has allowed me to find my passions within studying Tropical Meteorology and Emergency Management by offering classes within these more detailed areas. My research opportunities have allowed me to solidify these beliefs and make myself confident that this is the work I want to pursue in the future.

Takeaway (from courses/internship/research):

There is so much more to Meteorology than just the weather that is occurring. The field is intertwined within so many others, which means it is important to have additional knowledge on these other fields as well. Coming into college, I presumed that the weather was completely understood by Meteorologists; however, I am now aware that we have only exposed the tip of the iceberg and there is still so much to be learned and understood. This mystery that needs to be solved is part of the reason why I love this subject so much as I am eager to help solve this problem of being able to completely understand the weather.

Advice (for incoming freshman in your shoes):

Keep your minds open! You may come into college thinking you know exactly what you want to study. However, be sure to take additional classes that expose you to other areas of Meteorology that will broaden your horizons. I am sure that you will find other subfields of Meteorology that interest you!

Aspirations (upon graduation):

I want to pursue a Doctorate degree after graduating from Millersville. My hope is that I can pursue a research opportunity where I am able to study tropical cyclones and hurricanes.

What has been the most significant and/or exciting aspect of your work?

When conducting research within this field, you will find that there will be times when for weeks, and even months, you may not get any significant results. There is no better feeling than completing work where you get verified results that you can meteorologically explain after struggling to find something for so long. This happened to me this past Summer when I was able to show how different conditions of the Bermuda High yielded various waterspout conditions.

Scholarships awarded while attending Millersville University:

Hollings Scholarship

Engle Scholarship

MAK Endowment