Michelle Saunders

Michelle Saunders is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State University, specializing in the intersection of meteorology and societal impacts.

Her research focuses on atmospheric hazards, risk perception, and communication, with an emphasis on decision-making during severe weather events. She has developed the Brief Vulnerability Overview Tool (BVOT) to enhance National Weather Service forecasting and emergency management.

• Ph.D., Geography and Environmental Science and Policy, University of South Florida (2020)
• M.S., Geography, University of Alabama (2015)
• B.S., Geography, Salisbury University (2013)

Her 15 most recent publications highlight applications of GIS, vulnerability analysis, and risk communication in meteorology, with collaborations at the University of Oklahoma and the National Weather Service. She has surveyed hurricane evacuees during Hurricanes Matthew, Irma, and Dorian.

Scientific Awards

• American Geophysical Union – Science Policy Advocate (2023–2024)
• NCAR BRIGHTE Workshop Attendee (2019)

She teaches courses on Weather and Society (GR 8833) and Natural Hazards and Processes (GR 4813/6813) and integrates physical and human geography in her work on severe weather communication.