Dear Anja, could you please briefly introduce yourself and your HErZ project?
I am a PhD student in HErZ at the University of Hamburg. I have always been interested in the weather, which is the reason why I studied meteorology. I now have the opportunity to work on one of my favorite topics: thunderstorms. My work focuses on "cold pools"— air cooled by evaporation that forms beneath a cloud, rushes downward as a downdraft, and spreads out horizontally on the ground. I think most people have experienced the air getting cooler and windier before a thunderstorm — this is a cold pool. We measure these cold pools using stations we developed ourselves (called APOLLOs). I enjoy the variety, working outdoors, and recording my own data. I particularly enjoyed planning, preparing for, and conducting the VITAL II campaign. I am already looking forward to working with my own data.
If you had to define HErZ in a single sentence…
HErZ is a network where I particularly value the exchange with other PhD students and the opportunity to gain insights into a wide range of research topics. It is always fascinating to see how diverse the projects within HErZ are.
What does your collaboration with the DWD look like? What do you and your project gain from it?
I have been able to turn to the DWD with questions at any time, and received immediate assistance. The DWD is naturally heavily involved — especially in the measurement campaign — and provides valuable support, for which I am very grateful.
What short- and long-term opportunities does HErZ offer you?
HErZ enables me to conduct research on cold pools, attend conferences, and engage in international exchange.