Vita

KATHARINE M. KANAK

Education

`University of Oklahoma`	`Dissertation Title: "On the Formation of Vertical Vortices in the Atmosphere" Advisors: Professor Emeritus Douglas K. Lilly and Dean John T. Snow`	`Ph.D. Meteorology 1991-1999`
`University of Wisconsin-Madison`	`Thesis Title:"Three-Dimensional, Non-Hydrostatic Numerical Simulation of a Developing Tropical Cyclone" Advisor: Professor Gregory J. Tripoli`	`M.S. Meteorology 1988-1990`
`University of Oklahoma`		`B.S. Meteorology & Math Minor 1987`
`University of Kansas`		`Freshman Year 1983-84`

Positions

Research Scientist Retired, School of Meteorology, University of Oklahoma (2012-pres)
Adjunct Associate Professor Retired, School of Meteorology, University of Oklahoma (2012-pres)
Research Scientist, School of Meteorology, University of Oklahoma (2007-2012)
Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Meteorology, University of Oklahoma (2007-2012)
Research Scientist, Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies (CIMMS), University of Oklahoma, (2001-2007)
Research Scientist, Gollege of Geosciences, University of Oklahoma (Fall 1999-June 2001)
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Oklahoma, (Fall 1991-1999) Advisors: D. K. Lilly and J. T. Snow
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Oklahoma (Fall 1995 and Fall 1996)
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Wisconsin-Madison (1988-1990), Advisor: G. Tripoli
Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Oklahoma (1987-88), Supervisor: Kelvin Droegeimeier
Undergraduate Research Assistant, National Severe Storms Lab (11-86 to 12-87), Supervisors: John Lewis & Dave Stensrud
Summer Research Program , Argonne National Lab (Summers 1986-87)
School of Meterology Draftperson (1985-86)

Awards/Honors

4th most accessed paper in Atmospheric Science Letter for Oct 2006-Oct 2007 for Kanak and Straka Mammatus paper
Member of Who's Who in America (2007)
Most accessed paper at Atmopsheric Science Letters for 2006
7th most cited paper at the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society for 2005
University of Oklahoma Graduate Teaching Assistant Award (1997)
Named in the National Publication, "The Dean's List" (1997)
NASA Space Grant Fellowship for Boundary Layer Research (1997)
Selected to represent OU at the "National Convocation on Doctoral Education" at the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D. C. (1996)
Patricia Roberts Harris Fellowship, University of Oklahoma (1992-1995)
Scholarship to attend the National AMS meeting (1990)
Lettau Award for best M.S. Research Thesis - UW-Madison (1990)
Schwerdtfeger Award for best Academic Performance - UW-Madison (1989)

Research Experience

Collected Field Observations of Dust Devils (6-95 and 8-96, 8-98, and during STEPS, 2000)

Developed 3-D Numerical Model (KANSAS) (1997-Present)
Assistant Field Coordinator -VORTEX (Spring 1994 and Spring 1995)

Students

Ms. Allison Silveira, M. S.                                                August 2005
   Directed M.S. Thesis Research, Co-Advisor with J. Straka
   Thesis: “Vortex Formation in Horizontally Elliptical Thermal Bubbles in an Ambient Vertical Shear”
Ms. Amanda Kis, M. S. May 2009
Contributed to mentorship and advising, chair, J. Straka
Mr. Owen Shieh, M. S. May 2010
Contributed to mentorship and advising, chair, J. Straka
Ms. Karen Braun, M.S. Committee Member Spring 2011
Ms. Stephanie Henry, M.S., Co-Advisor with J. Straka Spring 2011
- Thesis: “An Investigation of Storm Cell Interaction using High Resolution Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulations”

Teaching Experience

Independent Study on Supercell Dynamics Spring 2008

Co-Taught Physical Meteorology II Spring 2001
Guest Lecturer in Thermodynamics Fall 1998
Graduate Teaching Assistant for Atmospheric Thermodynamics, Falls 1995/96
Graduate Teaching Assistant for Atmospheric Thermodynamics, Falls 1995/96
Guest Lecturer for Mesoscale Meteorology Spring 1994

Proposals

NSF: P.I.s : Jerry M. Straka and Katharine M. Kanak, "Collaborative Research: Challenges in understanding tornadogenesis and associated phenomena." Collaborator: Erik Rasmussen, (2011-2012)
NSF: P.I.s: Jerry M. Straka, Katharine M. Kanak, "Supplement: Collaborative Research: Challenges in Understanding Tornadogenesis and Related Phenomena – Photogrammetry for VORTEX2". Collaborator: Erik Rasmussen, (2009-2010)
NSF: P.I.'s: Jerry M. Straka, Katharine M. Kanak, "Collaborative Research: Development of Unmanned Aircraft System for Research in a Severe Storm Environment and Deployment within the VORTEX2. Collaborators: Erik Rasmussen (RasSys), Eric Frew(CU), Brian Argrow (CU) and Adam Houston (UNL). (2009-2010)
NSF: PI, Jerry Straka Co-PIs Erik Rasmussen, and Katharine Kanak, "COLLABORATIVE PROPOSAL: Challenges in understanding tornadogenesis and related phenomena (1-2008 to 1-2012)

NSF: PI: Jerry Straka, Co-PI, Katharine Kanak, "Formative dynamics of mammatus clouds in thunderstorm cirrus" (3-07 to 2-11)

NSF : Co-PI's: Katharine M. Kanak, Douglas K. Lilly, John T. Snow: "The formation of vertical vortices in the convective boundary layer". (2-2002 to 2-06)

NSF : Co-PI's: Katharine M. Kanak, Douglas K. Lilly, John T. Snow: "The dynamics of the formation and maintenance of boundary layer vortices". (7-98 to 12-01)

ECAS Computing account proposal funded (1997-2000)

Peer-Reviewed Publications

17 Straka, J. M. and K. M. Kanak, 2011: Multimoment cloud microphysical parameterizations in cloud models. McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science & Technology 2011, pp. 214-219.

16 Kanak, K. M., and J. M. Straka: 2009: Effects of linear, ambient wind shear on simulated mammatus-like clouds. Atmos. Sci. Letters, 9:02AM DOI: 10.1002/asl.224.

15 Kanak, K. M., J. M. Straka, and D. M. Schultz, 2008: Numerical simulation of mammatus. J. Atmos. Sci., 65, 1606-1621.
14 Straka, J. M., K. M. Kanak, and M. S. Gilmore: 2007: The behavior of number concentration tendencies for conservative microphysical growth equations using bulk one-, and two-, moment schemes. J. Appl. Meteor. and Climatology. 46, 1264-1274.

13 Kanak, K. M., 2006: On the numerical simulation of dust devil–like vortices in terrestrial and Martian convective boundary layers, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L19S05, doi:10.1029/2006GL026207. Invited paper for special issue on Dust Devils.

12 Cantor, B. A., K. M. Kanak, and K. S. Edgett, 2006: MOC Observations of Martian dust devils and their tracks (September 1997-January 2006) and evaluation of theoretical vortex models.. J. Geophys. Res., 111, E12002, doi:10.1029/2006JE002700.

11 Schultz, D. M., K. M. Kanak, J. M. Straka, R. J. Trapp, B. A. Gordon, D. S., Zrnic , G. H. Bryan, A. J. Durant, T. J. Garrett, P. M. Klein, and D. K. Lilly, 2006: The mysteries of mammatus clouds: Observations and formation mechanisms. J. Atmos. Sci., 63,2409-2435.

10 Kanak, K. M. and J. M. Straka, 2006: An idealized numerical simulation of mammatus-like clouds. Atmospheric Science Letters. 7(1), 2-8. DOI: 10.1002/asl.121.

9 Kanak, K., 2005: Numerical simulation of dust devil-scale vortices. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc. 131, 1271-1292.

8 Straka, J. M., M. S. Gilmore, K. M. Kanak and E. N Rasmussen, 2005: A comparison of the conservation of number concentration for the continuous collection and vapor diffusion growth equations using one- and two- moment schemes. J. Appl. Meteor., 44, 1844-1849.

7 Kanak, K. M. 2004: "Douglas K. Lilly: A Biography, with recollections from K. Bryan, J. Deardorff, K. Droegemeier, J. Kimpel, P. Lamb, D. Lenschow, and J. Smagorinsky". Atmospheric Turbulence and Mesoscale Meteorology. Eds. E. Fedorovich, R. Rotunno, and B. Stevens. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. ISBN: 0521835887. p. 1-13.

6 Shapiro, A., and K. M. Kanak, 2002: Vortex formation in elliptical thermal bubbles. J. Atmos. Sci., 59, 2253–2269.

5 Fiedler, B. H. and K. M. Kanak, 2001: Rayleigh-Benard convection as a tool for studying dust devils. Atmos. Sci. Letters, doi: 10.1006/asle.2001.0043, 1-10.

4 Kanak, K. M. and J. M. Straka, 2001: An unusual reticular cloud formation. Mon. Wea. Rev., 130, 416-421.

3 Kanak, K. M. 2001: Book Review, "Currents of Change: Impacts of El Niño and La Nina on Climate and Society". Second Edition, by Michael Glantz. Atmos. Res., 58, 71-74.

2 Kanak, K. M., D. K. Lilly and J. T. Snow, 2000: The formation of vertical vortices in the convective boundary layer. Quart. J. of the Roy. Meteor. Soc., V126A, p. 2789-2810.

1 Kanak, K. M. and D. K. Lilly, 1996: The linear stability and structure of convection in a mean circular shear. J. Atmos. Sci., 53, 2578-2593.

Non Peer-Reviewed Publications

21. Kanak, K. M., 2008: Vortical structures in convective boundary layers and implications for the initiation of deep convection. 24th Conference on Severe Local Storms. 27-31 October, 2008, Savannah, Georgia.

20. Kanak, K. M., and J. M. Straka, 2008: The effects of ambient wind shear and varying initial conditions on numerically simulated mammatus-like clouds. 24 th Conference on Severe Local Storms. 27-31 October, 2008, Savannah, Georgia.

19. Kis, Amanda K., J. M. Straka, K. M. Kanak and R. P. Davies-Jones, 2008: On the role of descending rain curtains in tornadogenesis. 24 th Conference on Severe Local Storms. 27-31 October, 2008, Savannah, Georgia.

18. Kis, Amanda K., J. M. Straka and K. M. Kanak, 2008: Nocturnal tornadoes and low-level static stability. 24 th Conference on Severe Local Storms. 27-31 October, 2008, Savannah, Georgia.

17. Straka, J. M., M. S. Gilmore and K. Kanak, 2008: A multi-moment, multi-hydrometeor class, bulk parameterization scheme. Part I: Description. Fifteenth International Conference on Clouds and Precipitation. 11-14 July 2008, Cancun , Mexico.

16 Schultz, D. M., K. M. Kanak, J. M. Straka, 2007: What causes mammatus? Fourth European Conference on Severe Storms, 10-14 September, Trieste, Italy.

15 Schultz, D. M., K. M. Kanak, J. M. Straka, R. J. Trapp, B. A. Gordon, D. S. Zrnic , G. H. Bryan, A. J. Durant, T. J. Garrett, P. M. Klein, and D. K. Lilly, 2007: What causes mammatus? European Geophysical Union General Assembly 2007, 15-20 April, Vienna, Austria, EGU.

14 Schultz, D. M., K. M. Kanak, J. M. Straka, R. J. Trapp, B. A. Gordon, D. S. Zrnic , G. H. Bryan, A. J. Durant, T. J. Garrett, P. M. Klein, and D. K. Lilly, 2006: What causes mammatus? 12th Conference on Cloud Physics, 10-14 July, Madison, WI, AMS.

13 Straka, J. M., K. M. Kanak, and M. S. Gilmore: 2006: The behavior of number concentration tendencies for conservative microphysical growth equations using bulk one-, and two-, moment schemes. 12th Conference on Cloud Physics, 10-14 July, Madison, WI, AMS.

12 Kanak, K. M., J. M. Straka, and D. M. Schultz: 2006: Numerical Simulation of Mammatus-Like Clouds in Cirrus Outflow Anvils. 12th Conference on Cloud Physics, 10-14 July, Madison, WI, AMS.
11 Kanak, K. M., 2005: Numerical simulation of dust devil-like vortices in the terrestrial and Martian convective boundary layers. Dust Devils on Earth and Mars: Workshop. Sponsored by the ASU Planetary Geology Group, 19-20 September 2005, U. S. Geological Survey Field Center, Flagstaff Arizona.

10 Kanak, K. M., 2005: A large eddy simulation of coherent structures and embedded dust devil-like vortices in the Martian atmospheric boundary layer. 36th Lunar and Planetary Sciences Conference, March 14-18, Houston, Texas. Lunar and Planetary Institute and NASA., #2158.

9 Straka, J. M. , M. S. Gilmore, E. N. Rasmussen, and K. M. Kanak, 2004: A Comparison of conservation properties of microphysical parameterizations: continuous gamma distribution function with fixed shape parameter. Preprints, Fourteenth International Conference on Clouds and Precipitation, July 19-23, Bologna, Italy.

8 Kanak, K. M., D. K. Lilly, and J. T. Snow, 2002: The formation of vertical vortices in the convective boundary layer. Preprints, 15th Symposium on Boundary Layers and Turbulence, July 15-19, 2002, The Netherlands, AMS. 76-79.

7 Shapiro, A. and K. M. Kanak, 2002: Vortex formation in elliptical thermal bubbles. Third International Symposium on Environmental Hydraulics, December 5-8, 2001, Tempe, Arizona.

6 Kanak, K. M., D. K. Lilly, and J. T. Snow, 1998: The formation and maintenance of microscale atmospheric vortices. Preprints, 19th Conference on Severe Local Storms, September 14-18, Minneapolis, Minnesota, AMS., 76-79.

5 Kanak, K. M., E. N. Rasmussen, and J. M. Straka, 1996: Field coordination in VORTEX. Preprints, 18th Conference on Severe Local Storms, February 19-23, San Francisco, California, AMS., 158-160.

4 Kanak, K. M. and D. K. Lilly, 1996: The linear stability and structure of convection in a mean circular shear. Preprints, 18th Conference on Severe Local Storms, February 19-23, San Francisco, California, AMS., 708-712.

Kanak, K. M. 1996: (Informal Presentation) Preliminary radar observations of dust devils. 18th Conference on Severe Local Storms, February 19-23, San Francisco, California, AMS.

3 Tripoli, G. J., K. M. Kanak and P. Pokrandt, 1991: Moist convection, gravity waves and warm core cyclones. Eighth Conference on Atmospheric and Oceanic Waves and Stability. October 13-18, 1991, Denver, Colorado, AMS.

2 Tripoli, G. J. and K. M. Kanak, 1991: The influence of vertical propagation of inertia-gravity waves on tropical cyclogensis. Nineteeth Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology, May 6-10, 1991, Miami, Florida, AMS, 250-253.

1 Kanak, K.M. and G. J. Tripoli, 1990: Three-dimensional, nonhydrostatic simulation of scale interaction in a developing tropical cyclone. Fourth Conference on Mesoscale Processes, June 25-29, 1990, Boulder, Colorado.

   Reports

                 • Meo, M., Gropp, R., Kanak, K. M. and M. Santos, 1996: National Convocation on Science and Engineering Doctoral Education: Report and                                                                                                   Recommendation to the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate College. University of Oklahoma internal report.

    Seminars Presented

               •   Inivited: The Pennsylvania State University, "Overview of Long Track Tornadoes: Definition, Climatology,
                                Sounding Parameters, Upper-Level Flow Fields, and Radar", J. Straka, A. Kennedy, L. Reames, and K. Kanak    2011

               •   University of Oklahoma           "Vertical Vortices in the Convective Boundary Layer” K. Kanak                                         2007

               • University of Oklahoma             “What Causes Mammatus?” presented with D. Schultz, and J. Straka                                  2006

               • Lilly Symposium, NCAR GTP Symposium    “Convective Vortex Research with Douglas K. Lilly”                                 2004

               • University of Oklahoma             "Vertical Vortex Formation in Ellipsoidal Bubbles", presented with A. Shapiro                 2001

               • University of Oklahoma            "The Formation of Vertical Vortices in the Convective Boundary Layer"                           1999

               • University of Oklahoma            "The Linear Stability and Structure of Convection in a Circular Mean Shear"                        1996

               • University of Wisconsin-Madison       "Lower Boundary Conditions in Atmospheric Numerical Models"                             1989


    Reviewer

                • Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society
                • Icarus
                • Boundary Layer Meteorology
                • Atmospheric Research
                • Journal of Fluid Mechanics
                • Physics of Fluids
                • Atmospheric Science Letters
                • Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
                • Monthly Weather Review
                • Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology
                • Geophysical Research Letters
                • National Science Foundation
                • The Chilean Research Fund Council
                • Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research
                • NASA ROSES Proposal Reviewer

    Other Service

            • Member of the School of Meteorology Graduate Studies Committee (Fall 2008-Feb 2009)
            • Member of the National Weather Service Library Committee, Representative for CIMMS (2002-2007)

    Memberships

                •    Member of the American Geophysical Union                   (1999-present)
                •    Member of the American Meteorological Society             (1988-2011)
                •    Associate Member of the Royal Meteorological Society   (2006-2011)

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Last Update: 6/2012