Mike Biggerstaff
Meteorology Professor
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK USA
“It's your life, so take the guidance and advice from other people, filter it heavily, and then apply it in a way that you can succeed.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationMike Biggerstaff
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
At the age of five, he told his aunt and uncle, "I want to be a meteorologist. I want to study the weather."
Was an imaginative child; says he used to wish he could have a thunderstorm as a toy that he could just pull out of his pocket and play with.
Knew that he wanted to be a professor and do research, and in order to do that, he needed a Ph.D.
His parents hadn't had good college experiences-they said it was a waste of time-but he knew he had to ignore that and follow his own path.
Went to the University of Texas at Austin, then completed his Ph.D. in atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington.
His work focuses on cloud microphysics, electrification, and storm dynamics, which sometimes entails driving into storms and hurricanes to gather data.
Says he still has doubts as to whether he's smart enough or if he knows enough to do the research he wants to do.
But he realizes time and time again that there's always more to learn-you just need to push through self-doubt and believe in your own intelligence.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Meteorology Professor
I drive into storms and hurricanes to collect research data and also teach meteorology classes.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Science
Teaching / Mentoring
Interviewed By
Norman - New Orleans
At the University of Oklahoma, the team meets Mike Biggerstaff, a professor of meteorology, where they learn what it is about weather that lights him up. Moving on to Houston, Texas, they visit Jennifer Arnold, a 3-foot, 2-inch-tall doctor and star of the reality series, The Little Couple, where they hear her story of overcoming personal obstacles to realize her dreams. Finally, in New Orleans, La., the team talks with Charline Gipson, a corporate lawyer, and discovers what 'success' means to her and the steps she took to achieve it. Charline's story of taking her own path despite others' disapproval inspires Denise who realizes she can do the same in life.
