Cassie O'Connor is a masters student in Rural Sociology originally from Lake Worth, Florida. She received her bachelors in meteorology and a minor in environmental sciences from the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, FL. Cassie's previous research background is in Madden-Julian Oscillation, or MJO impacts on near-surface temperatures. She participated in a Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) at Columbia University, looking at supporting short- and medium-term anticipatory action for food security and climate. This strengthened her passion for social science applications of meteorology. She was an executive board member for her school's American Meteorological Society chapter for 3 years, and president her senior year. Now, Cassie’s interest is in weather communication, and how people perceive the weather. She wants to help bridge the gap between the science and how people take it in the info and understand it, especially to those in need. Cassie is pursuing her Rural Sociology Masters at Auburn under the advisement of Dr. Michelle Worosz. Her current research deals with how farmers perceive the weather, and how they use weather information to aid in the decision on whether to irrigate or not. 

"I am excited to be an NRT trainee because it combines my passion for meteorology/climate and social science all into one. Being from the southeast, I am eager to learn more about how we can be prepared for climate related hazards down the road, as our climate is changing."

Check out Cassie's 3min Research Video