Scientist at Work: Sara Pryor
Some university faculty members prefer research. Others prefer teaching. But for Indiana University Bloomington atmospheric scientist Sara Pryor, there is neither preference nor choice. Her research is informed by her teaching, and her teaching is improved by her research -- the two are inextricable.
Part of Pryor's teaching philosophy is making the learning process relevant. She uses real data and situations as examples and integrates computer-assisted activities into her lessons. She consistently updates her curriculum to reflect recent scientific findings and uses interesting facts or stories to spark students' interest.
Pryor has taught eight different courses since she arrived at Indiana University Bloomington 12 years ago -- five were courses she introduced to the IU curriculum.
"I embrace the ethos that our curriculum should constantly evolve to better serve our students and respond to technological and societal changes," Pryor says.
For example, to make the IU atmospheric science program compliant with National Weather Service standards, she developed a course called Weather Forecasting and Analysis.
Her classroom activities are augmented by her broad-ranging research in atmospheric science. Department of Geography Chair Scott Robeson calls Pryor one of the "most productive research scientists at IU," noting that she inspires her graduate students to be equally productive. Her research includes collecting data and developing models on topics such as particle dry deposition, particle nucleation (formation) events, and carbon and nitrogen dynamics in forests. In 2007, she led a conference on climate variability, predictability and change in the Midwest.
Pryor also directs the atmospheric science program in the Department of Geography and serves as chair of the advisory board of the Anthropological Center for Training (ACT) and Research on Global Environmental Change at IU Bloomington. She acts as a liaison for IU Bloomington with the National Weather Service and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
As director of graduate studies in the Department of Geography, Pryor coordinates job- and internship-related activities for undergraduate and graduate students. She oversees and administers more internships than any other faculty member in the department. Many of these interns go on to professional positions in atmospheric science, while others go to graduate school in the field.
Pryor has also developed a detailed resource database that monitors and organizes grant and professional development opportunities for IU students. One of her goals as director of graduate studies is to attract a more ethnically diverse group of students.
Her approachable demeanor makes it easy for students to ask for advice. A graduate student in the department, Elizabeth Mack, says that "her ability to tap into and understand each student's needs and abilities is truly a remarkable gift." Pryor has been the primary mentor of five master's students, two Ph.D. students, and two postdoctoral fellows, and currently supervises two master's students and two Ph.D. students. Bradley Lane, a current Ph.D. candidate in the department, says that Pryor has "an indefatigable drive to provide her students with the best and brightest of opportunities."
Justin Schoof, assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Resources at Southern Illinois University, sums up Pryor's gifts for teaching. "Her delivery of course materials combines the scientific rigor of the subject matter with a distinctive humor to produce an environment in which students become excited about the learning process," he says.
Want to learn more about Sara Pryor's research? Check out this video.
