Distinguished Alumni > 2006 > James W. Hurrell

James W. Hurrell

• B.S. 1984, Mathematics and Earth/Space Science, University of Indianapolis
• M.S. 1986, Atmospheric Science, Purdue University
• Ph.D. 1990, Atmospheric Science, Purdue University

Jim Hurrell is Senior Scientist and Director of the Climate and Global Dynamics Division at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). NCAR is a federally funded research and development center that works with partners at universities and researchers to explore and understand the atmosphere and its interactions with the sun, the oceans, the biosphere, and human society. Jim joined NCAR after earning his doctorate in atmospheric science under the direction of Prof. Dayton Vincent.

Jim's researches climate variability and climate change caused by humans. He has contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessments, and he is actively involved in the international research program on Climate Variability and Predictability. He has given testimony on climate change issues for congressional subcommittees and has received numerous prestigious honors and awards in his field of atmospheric science.

Jim has authored or co-authored more than 60 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles and book chapters, as well as dozens of other planning documents and workshop papers. He has also convened over one dozen national and international workshops, and has served on several national and international science-planning efforts.

Jim and his wife, Cathy-also an alumna of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences-live in Westminster, Colorado with their two daughters, Rachel and Sarah.

Career Highlights
2006	Fellow, American Meteorological Society
2005	Who's Who in America
2004	Listed among Highly Cited Researchers, Thomson-ISI
2004	Outstanding Alumnus Award, Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
2004	Director, Climate and Global Dynamics Division, National Center for Atmospheric Research
2001	American Meteorological Society Clarence Leroy Meisinger Award
2000	Fellow, Royal Meteorological Society