AMS 2026 set the stage in Houston, Texas, Jan 25th – Jan 29th and brought together thousands of scientists, students, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world to exchange ideas. From the very first day, the conference buzzed with energy and conversations that extended beyond presentations and into future solutions.
Howard University Graduate Students at AMS
Howard University graduate students, Ujjawal Shaw, Gorakh Khatri, and Aryan Bagale represented HUBC during the in-person poster sessions. Surrounded by lively discussions, they joined peers and senior scientists alike in sharing ideas and forging new academic connections. Their presence underscored HUBC’s growing footprint at one of the largest atmospheric science gatherings in the world.
Gorakh Khatri Presenting his Research
Gorakh Khatri stands proudly in front of his poster, Seasonal and Spatial Variability of Aerosols Loading in the Washington D.C.–Maryland Region Using AERONET and Surface PM2.5 Observations. His work sparked thoughtful conversations on air quality trends and the importance of ongoing ground-based observations.
Ujjawal Shaw at his Poster
Nearby, Ujjawal Shaw presented his work titled “Ozone Formation Sensitivity and Trace Gas Variability from Pandora and Surface Observations in Urban and Suburban Landscapes.” His poster drew interest from attendees eager to discuss ozone chemistry. The exchanges reflected exactly what AMS does best, which is turning data into dialogue.
Aryan Bagale Showcasing Machine Learning Research
Aryan Bagale brings a data-driven perspective to the poster hall with his work, Automated Detection and Classification of Atmospheric Features in Ceilometer Data Using Machine Learning, which highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in atmospheric science.
Dr. Nakul Karle Addressing the AMS Audience
The narrative continued with Dr. Nakul Karle addressing fellow researchers as an invited speaker, presenting his work titled Higher-Order Turbulence Statistics in the Convective Mixed Layer: Insights from Raman Lidar during Ramp-Up and Quasi-Stationary Periods. His presentation highlighted HUBC’s strength not only in student-led research but also in leadership at the forefront of atmospheric science at a post-doctoral level.
Dr. Nakul Karle at his poster
Dr. Nakul Karle presenting a second line of research titled Investigating Planetary Boundary Layer Transition during the 2025 JCRDP Intensive Observation Period. This project reflects the collaborative spirit at the core of HUBC’s work. Conducted over the summer, the study brought together high school students, first-year undergraduates, master’s students in physics, and atmospheric science enthusiasts, all working side by side with the HUBC team gaining experience in atmospheric data collection and instrumentation. Their contributions were essential; without their time and dedication, this research would not have been possible.
Dr. Zhifeng Yang Engaging with Attendees
His poster titled, Smoke-Induced Moisture Suppression and Radiative Feedback over the Southeast Atlantic, generated questions that flowed, paving the way for great scientific dialogue and new ideas that often lead to future collaborations well beyond the conference walls.
Dr. Rabindra Pokhrel at his poster
His poster, Understanding Typical Summer Conditions for the Washington–Baltimore–Chesapeake Bay Region, engaged attendees in conversations about regional climate patterns and their impacts on broader atmospheric processes.
Neil Crosby in front of his Poster
His research titled, Spatial Changes in Cumulative Precipitation in the Greater DC Region due to Urban Heat Islands, sparked engaging discussions on how city landscapes reshape precipitation patterns and influence local climate outcomes.
HUBC Research Team
The conference continued with a group moment in the poster hall, featuring Ujjawal Shaw, Dr. Oscar Chimborazo, Aryan Bagale, and Gorakh Khatri. This snapshot captures more than a pause between sessions; it reflects teamwork, and shared pride in representing HUBC. Amid the hum of scientific exchange, the group celebrated the culmination of long hours of research and preparation.
HUBC Across AMS Spaces
HUBC delegates running into each other again, Ujjawal Shaw, Aryan Bagale, Dr. Nakul Karle, and Gorakh Khatri. Beyond formal presentations, AMS offered countless opportunities for networking, hallway conversations, spontaneous introductions, and discussions which planted the seeds for future collaborations.
Virtual Poster by Rocio D. Rossi
HUBC’s presence at AMS 2026 extended beyond the physical conference. Rocio D. Rossi, Data Technician at Howard University, participated through a virtual poster titled Total Water Column Measurements through the Lens of Radiosondes, Microwave Radiometers, and Polar Orbiting Satellites. Featured digitally throughout the conference, her work reached a global audience, reinforcing AMS 2026 as a truly hybrid gathering.