Jeffrey Basara

Jeffrey Basara is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell). He holds a Ph.D. in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma (2001), an M.S. in Meteorology (1998), and a B.S. in Atmospheric Science from Purdue University (1994). His research focuses on weather and climate extremes, hydrometeorology, and hydroclimatology, with an emphasis on precipitation extremes—including droughts, flash droughts, flash floods, and heatwaves—and their impacts across scales.

Basara has received numerous awards, including the Kavli Fellowship (2014), USDA REE Under Secretary’s Award (2019), and multiple teaching and research accolades from the University of Oklahoma. He is actively involved in interdisciplinary collaborations and serves on the advisory panel for the COMET program, which trains operational forecasters globally.

His research spans urban-atmosphere interactions, boundary layer dynamics, and the application of remote sensing in hydroclimatic studies. Notable projects include analyzing flash drought mechanisms, tropical storm re-intensification post-landfall, and the role of sea surface temperatures in pluvial events. His work bridges atmospheric processes and societal impacts, particularly in agriculture and disaster resilience.

• Key Roles: Chair of EEAS Department, UMass Lowell
• Education: Ph.D. Meteorology (University of Oklahoma, 2001); M.S. Meteorology (1998); B.S. Atmospheric Science (Purdue University, 1994)
• Awards: Kavli Fellow, USDA Honors, Teaching Excellence