Atmospheric Scientists Cited For Improving Forecast Modeling

Geoff DiMego, Ph.D. '77, and Eric Rogers, Ph.D. '88, both Albany alumni and members of a National Weather Service team of computer modelers and programmers, have received the National Weather Service Modernization Award for implementing a computer model which helps increase the accuracy of weather forecasts. The model provides a substantial increase in forecast accuracy for precipitation and weather events such as thunderstorms, tornadoes and tropical cyclones by calculating the present and future states of the atmosphere.

Ronald McPherson, director of the National Weather Service�s (NWS) National Centers for Environmental Prediction, presented the award to DiMego and Rogers, saying "The dedication and hard work of this team of computer modelers and programmers contributed greatly to the success of the modernization of the weather service."

The annual National Weather Service modernization awards were started in 1993 to recognize the exceptional efforts of many individuals and groups in the NWS modernization effort.

Sergio Hidalgo '88 was recently recognized for an act of heroism by the City of New York. In a Dec. 15 near-fatal accident in the Hudson River, Hidalgo, an officer in the city�s police department, along with four other officers, helped save the lives of a drowning Japanese mother and her baby.

One of the first two officers on the scene, Hildago and partner Israel Dros spotted the woman and her 8-month-old son in the waters near the rotting 59th Street pier. Working in the water and, with the aid of the other officers, Hildago helped lift the baby and woman up from the water through the dissembled pier to safety. Both mother and son were taken to Roosevelt Hospital and pronounced in no danger.

"We're all family people," Hildago was quoted in the Dec. 16. New York Post. "We all have kids. We just couldn't let up."

In a letter to Hildago, an EOP graduate, President Hitchcock saluted his courage and presence of mind in a life-and-death situation.