SEPTEMBER 20, 2007 (MIAMI) - Hugh Willoughby, a distinguished research professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Florida International University, will be speaking on “Shifting Climates of the 21st Century” during the Honors colloquia on Tuesday, October 9, 2007. The lecture begins at 12:30 PM in Graham Center 243 (GC 243).

A tropical cyclone formation and intensification researcher, Willoughby has flown over 400 missions into the eye of storms as a meteorologist for the federal government. His passion for meteorology stems from his days flying hurricane reconnaissance missions for the Navy.

The nationally recognized meteorologist joined FIU as a senior scientist in December 2002 after serving at the Hurricane Research Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. This past year, he initiated a successful campaign for a meteorology degree program at FIU.

Willoughby believes hurricane mitigation represents the next frontier of knowledge in his field. “That the atmosphere can do this is kind of amazing.”

This event is co-sponsored by the Student Government Association and is open to the public.

For immediate release

CONTACT:    Juan Carlos Espinosa, The Honors College
(305-348 -4100), espinosj@fiu.edu