March 2003
Larry Winter: NCAR's new deputy director
After an international search, NCAR has named Larry Winter, an applied mathematician at Los Alamos National Laboratory, as its new deputy director. Larry will help oversee both research and administrative initiatives in his new post.
“This is an exciting opportunity,” Larry says. “I’m looking forward to helping foster research into the many impacts of the atmosphere on other Earth systems and human society, and to bringing advanced computing to bear on these kinds of integrated systems assessments.”
Larry, who has a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from the University of Arizona, comes to NCAR with extensive scientific and administrative experience. Since arriving at Los Alamos in 1990, his assignments have included leading two of the lab’s groups (each roughly comparable in size to an NCAR division): the Geoanalysis Group and the Computer Research and Applications Group.
As an expert in hydrology, Larry’s scientific interests include the stochastic theory of subsurface flow and transport and the applications of parallel and distributed computing in scientific research. He has also applied Lagrangian simulations (which focus on the difference between kinetic and potential energy) to modeling traffic flow for the Department of Transportation and to predicting locations in random terrain of military vehicles for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
Larry’s many appointments include a recent term as science advisor to the New Mexico governor’s office. Among his honors are a Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) Publication Prize in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Operations Research and a Los Alamos Distinguished Performance Award. Larry’s outside interests include writing and the history of the American West, and he has won a Best Story of the Year award from Arizona Highways magazine.
Before coming to Los Alamos, he worked as chief scientist in the SAIC Advanced Computing Division in his hometown of Tucson, Arizona, and he also taught at Idaho State University and the University of Arizona. He has two master’s degrees from Arizona (in applied mathematics and geoscience), in addition to a bachelor’s in philosophy, and he is an adjunct professor in the university’s Department of Hydrology and Water Resources.
NCAR director Tim Killeen says he is looking forward to working with Larry, who was selected after an international search. “Larry will bring unique expertise and experience to help manage our programs across the board,” Tim says.
Tim created the deputy director position to assist with scientific leadership, provide administrative oversight, and help formulate strategic goals, budgets, and programmatic priorities for the institution. Larry will also play a role in the appointment of senior staff positions and in communication with the UCAR Board of Trustees, UCAR committees, the university community, NSF, and other organizations. Bob Gall, who served as interim deputy director since September, will return to his position as MMM director in April. Tim expressed his gratitude to Bob for his important service to NCAR during the search period.
Larry will begin his new duties about mid-April. •David Hosansky
Also in this issue...
Archives launching instrument collection
Vin Lally wins prestigious ballooning award
A smooth ride to Juneau:
RAP maps wind shear and turbulence at isolated airportA special evening with an intimate of the atmosphere
Delphi Question: PTO, health benefits, and diversity training
