May 9, 2025 | Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd
Description:
As weather and climate disasters continue to escalate in frequency and impact, we must take urgent action. In 2024 alone, the U.S. experienced 27 weather and climate disasters, each inflicting losses of over $1 billion. It is imperative that we explore the concepts of hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and resilience within our communities and regions. By strengthening our mitigation and adaptation strategies, we can better prepare for the challenges ahead. We invite you to participate in a webinar featuring Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd, the distinguished Georgia Athletic Association Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia. Dr. Shepherd will share critical insights and data on climate-related issues, highlighting the disproportionate effects of extreme weather on vulnerable populations and public health.
Speaker Bios:
Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is a leading international expert in weather and climate and is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia. Dr. Shepherd was the 2013 President of American Meteorological Society (AMS), the nation’s largest and oldest professional/science society in the atmospheric and related sciences. Dr. Shepherd serves as Director of the University of Georgia’s (UGA) Atmospheric Sciences Program and Full Professor in the Department of Geography where he was a previous Associate Department Head. Dr. Shepherd also holds a joint appointment in the College of Engineering and is the Associate Director for Climate and Outreach in its Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems (IRIS).
Dr. Shepherd received his B.S., M.S. and PhD in physical meteorology from Florida State University. He was the first African American to receive a PhD from the Florida State University Department of Meteorology, one of the nation’s oldest and respected. He is also the 2nd African American to preside over the American Meteorological Society. He is a member of the AMS, American Geophysical Union, Association of American Geographers (AAG), Sigma Xi Research Honorary, Chi Epsilon Pi Meteorology Honorary, and Omicron Delta Kappa National Honorary. He is also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and serves on various National Boards associated with his alma mater. Dr. Shepherd has authored or co-authored three books and is also the co-founder of the Alcova Elementary Weather Science Chat series that exposes K-5 students to world-class scientists. Dr. Shepherd is originally from Canton, Georgia.