SRNL Establishes Joint Appointment with the University of Georgia
Savannah River National Laboratory and the University of Georgia have announced the joint appointment of J. Marshall Shepherd, an internationally recognized expert in weather and climate who will collaborate on research initiatives between the two institutions.
“We are very excited to welcome Dr. Shepherd to SRNL,” said SRNL scientist Brian Viner. “This appointment represents an ongoing collaborative commitment with Dr. Shepherd and UGA fostered through the Laboratory Directed Research and Development program and will enable research to understand atmospheric boundary layer influences on dispersion, cloud formation, and precipitation processes.”
Shepherd, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at UGA, directs the university’s Atmospheric Sciences Program and mentors students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He leads multidisciplinary research initiatives as associate dean for research, scholarship and partnerships in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
“This appointment formalizes an ongoing relationship that spans several years,” said Shepherd. “We have advanced knowledge on urban heat, cloud-precipitation processes, and surface hydrological processes through collaborations between UGA and the Department of Energy. Ongoing partnerships have led to new lines of research related to boundary meteorology, machine-learning concepts, and land-atmosphere interactions. Beyond research, our joint efforts have supported several recent or incoming graduate students. I look forward to continuing these lines of research, engaging in knowledge share through visits, and developing DOE’s future workforce.”
“An internationally renowned scholar, Dr. Shepherd’s ability to communicate on critical scientific questions transcends disciplines and speaks to multiple stakeholder audiences,” said Dean Anna Stenport of UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. “His leadership and vision for public service collaboration reflect the shared priorities of the DOE, SRNL, and UGA, and we are proud to support his work at the intersection of these important efforts.”
“I’m pleased that the partnership between UGA and SRNL is being further strengthened through the joint appointment of Dr. Shepherd, whose research and public science inspire a generation of investigators across multiple disciplines at SRNL,” said UGA Interim Vice President for Research Chris King. “Dr. Shepherd’s work will contribute to the longstanding tradition of exceptional science and innovation produced at U.S. national laboratories. I look forward to supporting his efforts, along with those of all UGA faculty who collaborate with our colleagues at SRNL.”
J. Marshall Shepherd
SRNL’s Joint Appointment Program is designed to enhance collaboration between SRNL and U.S. academic institutions, foster innovation, and help build the technical workforce of the future. Joint appointees serve as a vital bridge connecting laboratory researchers, students, and academic faculty to accelerate scientific discovery and support the Department of Energy’s national mission.