Lindsey Middleton
University of Wisconsin – Madison
President
Lindsey is a PhD student in the Life Sciences Communication department at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. In the past, she has researched coproduction, which is collaboration between researchers and policymakers to create a research agenda, on behalf of the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center. Her research interests include communication and policy around emerging technology, science education, science dialogue, and online communication of science. She has worked as an editor at a water research institute and as a communication specialist at a climate center, and she hopes to bring that experience into her research of science communication issues. In her free time, Lindsey likes to ski and go hiking and play with her daughter.
Clay Tucker, Ph.D.
University of Southern Mississippi
Vice President
Dr. Tucker is an Assistant Professor in the School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi where he teaches introductory and upper-level courses in geography. Previously he served as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Geography at the University of Alabama, and he has a PhD in geography from Louisiana State University. His primary research focus is tree-ring science, especially as it relates to extreme climate phenomena. Specific goals of his research included (1) analysis of tree growth in relation hurricane activity, (2) long-term changes in hurricane activity, and (3) the effects of extreme weather phenomena (e.g., hurricanes, floods, drought) on local communities largely with a geographic focus in the southeastern United States.
Cait Rottler, Ph.D.
University of Oklahoma
Webmaster
Cait is the New Mexico Climate Adaptation Specialist for the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center. She received her PhD in Ecology from the University of Wyoming in 2016, and her BS in Biology at the University of New Mexico. Though a chronic generalist, one common thread tying together her many varied interests is the relationship between people and ecosystems–whether wilderness, urban, agricultural, or otherwise–especially in the context of a changing climate.
In her free time, Cait enjoys starting crafts (but rarely finishes anything), hanging out at the barn with her dog and her horse, reading, and writing fiction. She has also been singing since she could talk. She is a proud New Mexican, and as such holds very decided opinions about the absolute superiority of Hatch green chile to any other green chile, as well as the necessity of luminarias and biscochitos to having a proper Christmas.
Victoria A. Johnson
University of Oklahoma
Social Media Coordinator
Victoria A. Johnson is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oklahoma. Her research centers on the intersection of journalism, place-making, and effective severe weather communication. She is particularly intrigued by the dynamics of media influence and how evolving media practices in the digital age impact tornado risk messaging strategies. Victoria’s dissertation explores how place-making shapes how local broadcast meteorologists communicate risk information by examining the interplay between the journalistic practices imposed on them and their personal perceptions of the communities they serve. Her overarching goal is to optimize the dissemination of severe weather information, ultimately enhancing the safety of local communities. Victoria holds a M.S. degree in Geography with a specialization in Geospatial Technologies (GIS) and a B.S. degree in Environmental Sustainability.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Victoria’s passion for ballet shines through. She was once a dancer herself and now serves as an Associate Board member for the Oklahoma City Ballet. When not immersed in the world of ballet, Victoria can be found enjoying the great outdoors with her two loyal hounds, Bailey and Henley. As an avid weather enthusiast and self-proclaimed cloud psychologist, Victoria also embraces the thrill of severe weather and endlessly filling her camera roll with cloudscapes (and pictures of her dogs, of course!).
Paulina Cwik
University of Oklahoma
Blog Editor
Paulina is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oklahoma. She received her master’s degree in Geography at the OU in 2019. Currently, she is conducting dissertation research on the impacts of climate change on atmospheric patterns that are associated with tornado outbreaks in the United States. Her research interest includes severe weather, natural hazards and disasters, environmental sustainability, large-scale climate variability, and climate change.
Paulina grew up in Poland and, in addition to her scientific interests, she received professional training in classical violin playing (she earned B.S. at the Music Conservatory in Poznan). In her free time, she enjoys traveling, water sports, music, and cooking.
Early Career Climate Network 