Kelsey Eigsti, a research to applications project manager at NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), creates actionable digital tools and other web communications about drought research. Her work starts with the user — she is passionate about building content and tools that “put people first.” Eigsti loves doing improv comedy, and if she could read one book series over and over again, it would be The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson.

What do you work on at CIRES?

In my role supporting NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), I help communicate NIDIS-funded applied drought research and translate this research into actionable digital tools and other web communications through the U.S. Drought Portal (www.drought.gov). Drought.gov is the federal government's interagency drought website, and I work with an amazing team of scientists, web developers, and communicators to continually improve this resource.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

I'm passionate about creating communications and tools that put people first — ensuring everything we build is grounded in concrete user needs from the beginning. Sometimes, the features we initially assume will be helpful are not what users actually need, and I've learned so much from talking to people who use the data and information that NIDIS shares.

Tell us about a hobby of yours.

I do improv comedy! I perform at a local theatre a few times a month, making up improvised musicals. It's a great hobby for learning to be in the present moment… and learning to laugh at yourself.

What book could you read over and over again?

This is a series, but The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson is one of my all-time favorites.