Steven Peckham, WRF-Chem model support

Steven Peckham of GSL helped develop and provide support to a complex modeling system known as WRF-Chem. This system allows research of extreme relevance to current environmental challenges, especially relating to air quality and global climate change. This model has lead to many national and international publications as well. WRF-Chem has over 1,000 users and due to a large amount of help requests, Steve selflessly volunteered to take care of the help requests which totaled up to 700 this past year (not including the community model). He has also led tutorials in Boulder, Korea and Mexico City educating people on this state-of-the-art system which were praised. The World Meteorological Organization Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) Urban Research Meteorology and Environment Project (GURME) used the WRF-Chem model in workshops in San Paola, Brazil, Mexico City, Mexico and Prune, India. Steve provided hands-on training at these workshops and worked hard to ensure language barriers and differing computing backgrounds were worked through.  As a result, the training has made an impact on these regions conducting air quality studies. Without Steve’s help, users of this system would spend hours trying to figure out problems and as a result of his effort, the model now has many national and international users.  Not only does he represent WRF-Chem, but also CIRES. Having a CIRES employee give so much effort and dedication to their job shows the environmental science community outstanding CIRES values. Steve is an employee helping to ensure the CIRES reputation for excellence is upheld.