Andrew W. Ellis

Andrew W. Ellis is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Geography at Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment. He holds a Ph.D. in Climatology from the University of Delaware (1997), following earlier degrees from the same institution. Prior to joining Virginia Tech in 2011, he was on the faculty at Arizona State University.

Education:

• Ph.D. Climatology, University of Delaware, 1997
• M.S. Geography, University of Delaware, 1994
• B.A. Geography, University of Delaware, 1991

Research Interests: Ellis specializes in hydroclimatic variability and change, focusing on drought dynamics, water resource sustainability in arid regions, and synoptic climatology. His work bridges atmospheric science and hydrology, addressing topics like snow-cover teleconnections, urban heat islands, and climate impacts on water systems. Recent projects include drought monitoring frameworks, climate change adaptation strategies for water management, and analysis of precipitation extremes.

Grants & Funding:

• NOAA COMET Program: Mixed-precipitation forecasting for the Mid-Atlantic ($19,325, 2019)
• NSF Decision Center for a Desert City II ($7.5M, 2010)
• Bureau of Reclamation: Drought forecasting in the Colorado River Basin ($65,079, 2008)

Labs/Teams: Leads Virginia Tech’s climatology research group and collaborates with the Center for Geospatial Information Technology. Active in interdisciplinary projects with NOAA, Salt River Project, and the U.S. Geological Survey.