Miles Harmala

Biosketch

I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and raised in a northern Twin Cities suburb called Ham Lake. I attended St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN, where I graduated with a B.S. degree in Meteorology, along with a minor in Applied Mathematics. My previous research experience involves evaluating the performance of updraft-retrieving AI/ML models for deep convection. Some of this work was done during an REU at CSU, where I worked with research scientists from the van den Heever group. As an INCUS project master's student, I will continue to study convective updrafts and storm dynamics in the tropics and subtropics. Some of my hobbies include hiking/walking, being outdoors, going to the gym, storm chasing, trying new foods, watching Minnesota sports teams, and spending time with friends and family.

Education

B.S., with honors, Meteorology, St. Cloud State University, 2025
Minor, Applied Mathematics, St. Cloud State University, 2025

Awards

SCSU Spitzer-Weisman Memorial Scholarship in Synoptic Meteorology, 2024
AMS Outstanding Student Presentation Award, 2025
AMS Third Place Best Student Radar Oral Presentation, 2025

Selected Presentations

Harmala, M. S., Chase, R. J., Marinescu, P. J., Stechman, D.M. and Srock, A. F. 2025: Evaluating Machine Learning Updraft Retrieval Skill: Convective Storm Case Studies. Northern Plains Weather Workshop, St. Cloud, MN, oral presentation, 11 April 2025.

Harmala, M. S., Chase, R. J., Marinescu, P. J., Stechman, D.M. and Srock, A.F. 2025: Evaluating Machine Learning Updraft Retrieval Skill: Convective Storm Case Studies. American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, oral presentation, 14 January 2025.

Harmala, M. S., Chase, R. J., Marinescu, P. J. and Stechman, D.M. and Srock, A.F. 2025: Evaluating Machine Learning Updraft Retrieval Skill: Convective Case Studies. American Meteorological Society Student Conference, New Orleans, LA, poster presentation, 12 January 2025.

Misc.

Member of the AMS BoSA Student Conference Planning Committee (SCPC)

Last Updated: 9/2