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Why Michigan for Climate & Space?
CLaSP Diversity Statement
The teaching and research mission of the Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering is enhanced by learning from and working with a diverse intellectual community within an environment of full inclusion – a supportive and welcoming workplace that values all individuals and their perspectives, contributions and ideas. We welcome members with diverse global experiences across all forms of dimensions and intersections, including race, ethnicity and national origins, gender and gender identity, sexuality, class and religion. We are especially committed to increasing the representation of those populations that are underrepresented in the Earth and Space Sciences. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining a diverse population of faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, and staff. We work to identify and promote practices and structures that support inclusion, safety and diversity’s development in our department’s work through programs supported by our Diversity Ally, mentoring activities and our student organizations.
Small Community
The Climate & Space department has a small-town feel. As a 2014 master’s student said, “We are a much smaller department than others within the College and this makes us more of a family. I have the easiest time getting in touch with any member of Climate & Space and the faculty really care about the students, which is something you often don’t see in such a great research institution.”
Read more testimonials to find out what others think about their experience in our program.
Big Research
Climate & Space faculty members are leaders in space and atmospheric research. A few examples:
- Professor Chris Ruf is leading a NASA satellite mission that will produce improved hurricane wind speed predictions.
- Professor Tamas Gombosi and his research group developed a model that was recently adopted by the national Space Weather Prediction Center.
- Professor Nilton Renno’s research on liquid water on Mars was the subject of a New York Times article titled, “Recreating Mars in a Lab, and Finding Water.”
- Professor Mike Combi helped develop two devices on the Rosetta spacecraft that will analyze the composition of comets.
- Assistant Professor Eric Kort is a co-author of a study in Science that confirms that approximately 50 percent more methane has been seeping into the atmosphere than previously thought.
To learn more, please visit the news archive.
Student Support
The department is able to support PhD students through fellowships and positions as graduate student instructors and research assistants. All successful PhD students are fully financially supported.
Review our Fellowship and Post Doctorate Resources webpage for additional information.
Quality of Life
Ann Arbor is a mid-sized college town with all of the benefits of a large city. There are more than 300 restaurants located within a 20-mile radius of downtown Ann Arbor, cultural offerings such as stunning performances and museums, and many recreational activities for those looking to enjoy the outdoors.