Petra Klein will serve as interim dean of the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences and Robert Palmer will serve as interim director of the National Weather Center following the death of Berrien Moore III.
In an email sent to OU community members, Senior Vice President and Provost André-Denis Wright wrote both appointments are effective immediately, pending final approval from the OU Board of Regents. Moore served in both roles before his death on Dec. 17.
Wright wrote that both Klein and Palmer have been pillars in the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences and meteorology community for over 20 years.
“Their leadership ensures that the college and the (National Weather Center) remain in capable hands as we navigate the path ahead,” Wright wrote.
Klein joined the school of meteorology in 2002, where she was the Edith Kinney Gaylord Presidential Professor and Regents Professor. Klein currently serves as executive associate dean of the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences.
In 2021, Klein was honored with the Helmut E. Landsberg Award for her extensive contributions to the field of urban meteorology. Klein is a fellow of the American Meteorological Society.
Palmer came to OU in 2004 as the Tommy C. Craighead Chair in the school of meteorology. He established the Advanced Radar Research Center and currently serves as the executive director. Palmer also serves as OU’s associate vice president for Research and Partnerships.
At OU, Palmer’s research has focused on the application of advanced radar signal-processing techniques. He is a fellow of the American Meteorological Society and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure.
