Computer Science Is Valuable to a Meteorologist at UAlbany. Here’s Why.

Meteorologist Kara Sulia focuses on a computer screen.

By Andrew McMains 

ALBANY, N.Y. (Dec. 15, 2025) — Kara Sulia’s meteorology studies opened the door to her role as associate director at the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center at the University at Albany.  

She holds both a bachelor’s and PhD in the discipline. That said, every day she finds value in her bachelor’s in computer science, earned at the University’s College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE).

“I’ve really been developing a robust background in computer science and seeing how I can use computer science as a tool — and AI as a tool — to enhance my research and the research of those in my center,” Sulia said in an episode of UAlbany’s The Short Version podcast. “I really like the mixture of the two.”

She added that “every single thing we do, every project we have — unless you’re out there counting raindrops on leaves — you are doing some level of computer programming. And it’s not just our field. It’s any scientific field or beyond.”

Moreover, Sulia, whose love of math led her to meteorology, simply enjoys applying CS.

“I still understand the fundamental physics, but I also just loved the programming part of it,” said Sulia, who also directs the xCITE Lab at the center. “Because I wanted to do all those things and develop software and take all this interesting data and do something with it, I started taking computer science classes.”

After earning her meteorology degrees, conducting postdoctoral research and joining the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, Sulia began studying CS at UAlbany. She earned her bachelor’s in May and is now pursuing a master’s.  

CNSE’s Department of Computer Science offers bachelor’s, master’s and PhDs with an array of concentrations. The newly modernized program incorporates AI to make graduates even more attractive to employers. For more information on CS at CNSE — “Where logic sparks imagination” — visit the department’s home page and academic programs page.  

Also, to hear the full podcast, go to The Short Version episode page.