Dr. Linda Bogerd

Did you always know that you wanted to be an atmospheric scientist?

Not at all, although clouds were always fascinating to me. As a child, I was always playing outside with friends, and school was not really my thing. After middle school, I still did not know what I wanted to do, and the available subject choices limited my options. So, I chose human geography, the most technical path available to me at the time. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I pursued a master’s in Industrial Ecology, focusing on technical innovation to enhance sustainability. However, during that program, I realized my true interest was not in the techniques themselves but in understanding why certain techniques impact the atmospheric composition less than others.

The final push to switch studies came when an article about clouds was published by the Technical University (TU) of Delft (TU Delft). This article highlighted there is still so much to learn about clouds. I have always loved looking at clouds and understanding them was a dream of mine; apparently, I was not the only one! Hence, I aspired to contribute to the scientific understanding of clouds. To pursue this, I spent a year studying calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and basic physics at the TU Delft, paving the way to start my dream studies: the Master’s in Climate Physics at Utrecht University. Being the first in my family to attend university, I never imagined becoming a scientist. But when I found myself enjoying my master's thesis while others complained about their work, I began speaking with PhD students and postdocs. That was when I knew: I want to become an atmospheric scientist.

Photo Credit: Janneke Remmers.

Tell us about the research projects you are currently working on.

I focus on validating spaceborne precipitation retrieval, particularly for snow. This validation is conducted using various ground-based instruments, such as micro rain radars (MRR). These radars, operating at 24 GHz, emit signals, and the strength of the signal reflected to the radar, known as the reflectivity factor, is influenced by the size and type of hydrometeors, i.e. precipitation particle (e.g. snowflakes, raindrops, hailstones). This reflectivity factor can be converted into precipitation rates.

The challenge with snow lies in its diversity of shape, structure, and density. These variations and uncertainties in snow characteristics result in a broad spectrum of reflectivity, making it difficult to accurately estimate snowfall intensities for both ground-based and spaceborne radar systems. Furthermore, snow characteristics vary by location, requiring a representative validation network to achieve accurate spaceborne retrieval from satellites across different regions of the globe. I am trying to combine the observations from MRRs with other ground-based sensors by using the strength of each instrument over various locations (USA, Europe, Asia).

Photo Credit: Linda Bogerd.

What aspect(s) of your work are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about the endless opportunities for learning. Whether it is diving deeper into physics and mathematics, or improving skills like programming, presenting, and mentoring, there is always something new to discover. I particularly enjoy exploring MRR profiles, which reveal a wealth of information. You can observe the Doppler velocity, providing insights into fall speed, and the reflectivity, which indicates hydrometeor types, across heights up to 3000 meters! These profiles offer a fascinating glimpse into atmospheric dynamics.

Photo Credit: Linda Bogerd.

What is one thing you wish the public understood about your field of work?

Many people assume we have figured everything out about these topics, but there is still so much to learn about precipitation and clouds. Additionally, I wish people knew that raindrops are not tear-shaped. They are actually round or, when larger, even oblate. As raindrops fall, the air pressure against the bottom of the drop causes it to flatten. My third wish: I wish people knew a weather forecast can only be as reliable as the observations used as input. Therefore, the more accurate and comprehensive the observations, the better the weather forecast will be.

What are your future research interests and goals?

I would love to improve precipitation retrieval algorithms by deepening our understanding of precipitation microphysics and the vertical profile of precipitation. I aim to explore the intricate processes governing precipitation formation and distribution, which will enhance the accuracy of retrieval methods, preferably also by participating in fieldwork campaigns.

Photo Credit: Linda Bogerd.

What skills are most useful to you in your work, and where did you develop those skills?

I learned programming during my master's thesis, where I analyzed Arctic precipitation variability using climate models, while problem-solving and analytical skills were enhanced throughout my studies. I often hear I am very persistent and always looking for solutions, which are skills I think I mainly developed during my transition year at TU Delft. Switching fields was challenging, and mastering abstract concepts like linear algebra and differential equations was an extremely steep learning curve, but I am very happy I pushed through. My persistence kept me going when I was forced to work from home just two months after starting my PhD at Wageningen University; on top of that my professor announced his transfer to another university, which left me as the sole atmospheric PhD in the hydrology group. To escape working remotely all the time, I joined my fellow PhD student Rose's fieldwork campaign at the end of 2021. I also turned my professor's departure into an opportunity by taking on lecturing responsibilities, as I had become the only person in the group working on precipitation research.

Photo Credit: Linda Bogerd.

What is a fun fact about you?

I bought my very first car only six months ago. Before that, I relied on biking and walking everywhere, which is much easier in the Netherlands than here in the USA. Despite owning a car now, I stay true to my Dutch roots by biking to NASA every day and reserving my car for longer distances, like trips to the climbing gym or exploring cool hiking spots in the mountains. Speaking of climbing, that is another fun fact. Coming from the Netherlands, where the most significant height differences are bridges or perhaps the 60-meter hill in Wageningen, I have not had the opportunity to climb outdoors yet. I started climbing and bouldering two years ago and moving to Maryland has opened possibilities for outdoor adventures. I hope that soon, the fun fact that I have never climbed outside will be a thing of the past!

Photo Credit: Linda Bogerd.