Columbia Climatology Grad Makes Good on The Weather Channel

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) of Columbia University is home to some of the best minds in climate change research. So it came as little surprise when I was channel surfing late last year and caught Heidi Cullen, a former fellow Ph.D. student at LDEO, on The Weather Channel as the network's resident climate scientist. It actually took me a second or two recognize her with her made-for-TV makeover, but she hasn't strayed far from her roots as an academic climatologist presenting the scientific perspective on important climate change issues, including the science behind global warming and El Nino. The Grist presented a story on Heidi last year, which covered her reporting soon after Hurricane Katrina. Now, Heidi will have her own show this fall as host of "The Climate Code with Dr. Heidi Cullen" on TWC. The Boston Globe recently published an article about Heidi's new show and her efforts to discuss science with professional organizations around the country, such as the National Association of Black Journalists. The Climate Code, which begins October 1, 2006, will be a weekly series presenting the science behind global warming and other environmental issues and will feature interviews with scientists, policy makers and opinion leaders.