Staff and Students
Students
Alyssa Griffin
Graduate Student
Alyssa Griffin is a second year graduate student at North Carolina State University in the Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences Department. She is investigating extreme precipitation in North Carolina and updating intensity-duration-frequency curves for different future climate scenarios under the advisement of Dr. Sarah Larson and Dr. Kathie Dello. Her research interests are broadly related to the societal impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. Alyssa graduated from Plymouth State University in 2023 where she earned her B.S. in Meteorology and Minors in Technical Mathematics and Sustainability.
Kaitlin Karaffa
Graduate Student
Kaitlin Karaffa is a PhD student at North Carolina State University in the Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department. Her work involves determining the physical impacts of droughts and how these events are being perceived by those residing in the Carolinas. Her research melds the physical and social science of drought events in North Carolina. Kaitlin also received her B.S. in Environmental Science as well as a minor in Meteorology from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (2020).
Lauren Grimsrud
Undergraduate Student
Born and raised in Apex, NC, what sparked Lauren Grimsrud’s interest in weather was the 2011 Raleigh EF-3 tornado that barely missed her house, leaving debris fallout throughout her yard and landing just feet from her front door. After spending two semesters at BYU-Idaho enjoying the rich beauty of the western US, she transferred to NC State University in fall of 2022. Her passion for weather led her to pursue a degree in meteorology, concentrate in marine science and minor in environmental science. She is set to graduate in December of 2026, and hopes to go into the private sector working on instrumentation, but may pursue a graduate degree at some point in the future. She will be assisting the climate office this summer as an intern, helping to repair and maintain ECONet stations while conducting a research project.
Audrey Simmons
Undergraduate Student
Audrey Simmons is a senior at North Carolina State University pursuing a B.S. in Atmospheric Science with a concentration in Marine Sciences and a minor in Mathematics. Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, she also spent four years living in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She previously participated in the NEPARS REU program for two summers, including one as an REU assistant, completing two research projects and presenting her work at conferences such as AMS and AGU. Audrey is currently working as an ECONet intern working on research, and aiding in quality control and maintenance of ECONet stations. After graduation, she plans to pursue graduate study in Environmental Engineering, focusing on improving data collection technologies.