University Director
Dr. Renee McPherson is the University Director of the South Central CASC and a Professor of Geography and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. McPherson earned a Ph.D. in Meteorology and leads research on drought, heavy rainfall, and the impacts of climate change on socio-ecological systems. In her role as Professor, she teaches courses on climate and climate change, mentors undergraduate and graduate students, publishes her research, and provides expert feedback to state, tribal, and local agencies and organizations on climate-resilient planning. In her role as University Director, she guides the direction of the Consortium activities of the CASC, conducts research, oversees the CASC budget and deliverables, mentors researchers, and seeks aligned partnerships and funding opportunities. Outside work, Dr. McPherson works on her wildflower garden, loves to travel, and is a proud co-owner of the Green Bay Packers (Go Pack Go!).
USGS Regional Administrator
Dr. Suzanne Van Cooten’s educational background includes a B.S. in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma (OU) and M.S. and PhD. in Civil Environmental Engineering from the University of New Orleans.
University Assistant Director & Adult Education Specialist
Emma received her M.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education, M.A. in Geography, and B.S. in Meteorology, from the University of Oklahoma. She is currently pursing her Ph.D. in Geography and Environmental Sustainability at OU. Her role at the CASC includes serving as the main point of contact between our partners and researchers, leading climate training and education efforts for resource managers, working with resource managers on climate adaptation research, and assisting the University Director. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and taking photos of nature. Get to know Emma more by checking out her video here.
USGS Acting Assistant Regional Administrator
Marina is the Research Coordinator for the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center. She is responsible for leading the regional project solicitation process and manages the research awards funded by the South Central CASC. In this role, Marina works closely between researchers and natural and cultural resource mangers in the south central region to identify science needs and actionable outputs. Marina is also a Ph.D. student in Geography and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oklahoma, where her research focuses on participatory approaches to address climate adaptation for food and water security in Ukraine. Prior to joining the CASC, Marina completed the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as a climate and fisheries specialist. Marina holds M.S. degrees in Marine Biology and Marine Policy from the University of Maine, where her interdisciplinary thesis work focused on the resilience and management of Maine’s fishing communities in the face of ecological and socioeconomic changes.
Associate Director
Dr. Tom Neeson is the Associate Director for the South Central CASC and an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability at OU. His research focuses on the science and practice of freshwater sustainability. He holds a PhD in Natural Resources and Environment and an MA in Statistics from the University of Michigan, and an MS in Biology and BS in Geological Sciences from Case Western Reserve University. Outside work, he enjoys hiking, fishing and traveling with his family and playing hockey.
Financial Administrator & Office Manager
Noetta Harjo is the Financial Administrator and Office manager for the South Central CASC at the University of Oklahoma. A proud member of the Osage Nation, she is an alumna of the University of Oklahoma, holding a Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Native American Studies. She recently embarked on her first year in the OU Adult and Higher Education Ph.D. program, with her research centered on services and opportunities for Indigenous college students. Noetta is deeply committed to the OU Indigenous community, serving as a staff representative for the Indigenous Circle Resource Group. In her spare time, she enjoys beading Indigenous earrings, spending quality time with her niece, and co-hosting the Reel Indigenous podcast. Get to know Noetta more by checking out her video here.
Sustainability Science Manager and Tribal Liaison
Amelia Cook is the Sustainability Science Manager and Tribal Liaison. She is a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation and science educator.
She holds a degree in Biological Sciences from OSU and a Master’s of Education from the University of Oklahoma, where she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Science Education. Her research centers Indigenous perspectives and values in climate and science education and exploring question of how education can foster just, sustainable, and thriving communities. During her master’s research, she served as a South Central CASC student intern, supporting the Tribal Engagement program, and collaborating on youth educational outreach efforts. This transformative experience deepened her commitment to science education, supporting Indigenous students in STEM, and collaborating with Native Nations and scientists to understand and respond to a changing environment.
Research Associate and Tribal Liaison
Yvette Wiley is a Muscogee citizen and serves as the Research Associate and Tribal Liaison for the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center. She brings many years of experience working for tribes in the natural resources and environmental sectors. She focuses on building and engaging with Tribal staff to assist with their climate change concerns. She also focuses on the intersection of water, climate change and ecological systems. She earned a M.S. in Environmental Science from Oklahoma State University and her research was on a specific methodology of assessing the quality of riverine wetlands within the Muscogee Nation Reservation in Oklahoma.
Areas of Expertise:
- Communication with Tribal staff working in natural resources and the environmental sector
- Water, wetlands and ecological systems
- Outreach
- Communication design
Yvette loves all animals, especially cats. Outside of work she spends her time with her cats and dogs and advocates for the rights and protection of wildlife. Hobbies include kayaking and hiking, but most evenings she will be walking or roller skating along the Arkansas River Trail.
USGS Data Steward
Ellen Brown is the USGS Data Steward working with the South Central CASC on data management and policy support to guide the release of data and software products. She is interested in the long-term preservation and quality assurance of scientific data. Ellen holds M.S. degrees in Information Sciences and Chemistry from the University of Tennessee. She completed a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Asheville.
Expertise:
- Data management
- Gridded data types
- Climate and Forecast (CF) metadata conventions for netCDF
New Mexico Tribal Liaison
Jake Palazzi is the New Mexico, Tribal Climate Science Liaison with SC CASC. In New Mexico he seeks to connect Tribal Nations and their staff with relationships, tools, and opportunities to improve their adaptation to climate change. Jake grew up near the Salish Sea in Washington State. Spending a lot of time outdoors when he was younger gave him a strong appreciation for the importance of creating climate change solutions. As part of his undergraduate honors thesis work he had the privileged of performing interviews with Native Alaskans on their interactions with state fisheries authorities and general input level on state fisheries regulation. This work convinced him of the importance of an Indigenous inclusive and holistic approach to climate change adaptation and natural resource management. Jake has experience in ecological fieldwork and has studied and practiced science communication for many years. At CASC he will use this experience to distill climate adaptation research into information that is beneficial and applicable to Tribal Nations.
Climate Adaptation Specialist
Dr. Dolly Na-Yemeh is the Climate Adaptation Specialist for Louisiana, Oklahoma, and eastern Texas. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Geography and Economics from the University of Education, Winneba, an MA in Geography from the University of Cape Coast, an MS in Geoscience with a graduate certificate in GIS at Western Kentucky University, and a Ph.D. in Geography and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oklahoma.
Dr. Dolly enjoys volunteering for community service events and outreach, Zumba, teaching, traveling, and hanging out with family and friends.
Climate Adaptation Specialist
Stephanie Mladinich is an ecologist and conservation biologist, with an interest in socio-ecological resilience, community-driven research, and community well-being. As the Climate Adaptation Specialist for New Mexico and West Texas, she works to connect natural and cultural resource managers with climate science that can inform decision making and adaptation planning.
Born and raised in Albuquerque, Stephanie holds a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of New Mexico, and a M.Sc. in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. When she’s not working, you can find her running in the bosque or salsa dancing.
Research Scientist
Dr. Derek Rosendahl is a Research Associate at the South Central CASC. Dr. Rosendahl received his B.S., M.S., and PhD. in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma. His research role at the South Central CASC focuses on assessing uncertainties in future climate projections from global climate models and their subsequent use in statistical and dynamical downscaling over North America and the south-central U.S. He works closely with downscaling experts at the South Central CASC and helps with communicating uncertainties in future climate projections to the scientific community, decision makers, and the general public. His passion for meteorology and climatology truly shine as he enjoys storm photography and being out in the elements. Get to know Derek more by checking out his video here.
Research Scientist
Dr. Adrienne Wootten is a research scientist who specializes in downscaling and climate modeling, the uncertainty and accuracy associated with the appropriate use of climate projections and data impact assessments and planning. Additionally, she helps stakeholders with technological assistance and the appropriate use of climate projections for decision making processes. She received her B.S. in Meteorology with a minor in statistics, M.S. and Ph.D in Atmospheric Science from North Carolina State University. When she isn’t working, she enjoys being a stained-glass crafter. Get to know Adrienne more by taking a look at her video here.
Climate Adaptation Planner & Research Scientist
Dr. Sharon Hausam’s professional practice and research focus on climate resilience strategies, community-based and collaborative planning, and tribal sovereignty and self-determination. Prior to joining the CASC, Sharon served as the Planning Program Manager for the Pueblo of Laguna, where she initiated work on climate adaptation planning. She is adjunct faculty in the Community and Regional Planning Department at the University of New Mexico. Sharon holds a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Biology and Art, a Master of Environmental Studies, and a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning. She lives between the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande on traditional Southern Tiwa Pueblo land, currently known as Albuquerque, where she enjoys gardening, foraging for wild plants, canning and drying food, walking her dog, and hiking.
Research Scientist
Dr. Irenea Lodangco is a research scientist specializing in drought forecasting for the South Central CASC. Dr. Lodangco holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Central College of the Philippines, a M.S. in Remote Sensing from the University of the Philippines and a Ph.D. in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma. In the past, she has conducted research on the El Nino Southern Oscillation, tropical cyclones, rainfall variability, historical drought analysis, climate classification through cluster analysis, and satellite-derived rainfall estimates. When not working, she enjoys gardening, cooking and traveling the world.
Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education (ORISE) Participant
Codie Winn is an ORISE Participant. She assists with the annual Award Competition, the tracking of funded projects, coordination of the advisory committees, and the coordination of the Southern Plains Climate Science Webinar Series. She holds B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Oklahoma. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and exploring the outdoors with her child, along with photographing and ID-ing plants and animals.
Science Translator and Communications Specialist
Jenifer Henslee Peck holds a B.S. in Meteorology from The University of Oklahoma. She assists with internal and external communications across the South Central CASC by providing guidance and collaboration with the communication team to produce various communication products that showcase the collective knowledge of the center.
Expertise:
- Science translation
- Social media content
- Outreach
- Communication design
When not at work, you can find her exploring with her child, learning about the world, and volunteering with Alpha Sigma Kappa – Women in Technical Studies.
2024 Office Staff
