Dr. Laurence S. Kalkstein is Research Professor at the University of Miami's Department of Geography and Regional Studies. He received his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University and his Masters and Ph.D. from Louisiana State University.

    He is the principal investigator on a number of contracts dealing with the assessment, development and implementation of heat/health watch-warning systems for major cities worldwide. These systems are funded by both private and government organizations such as NOAA/National Weather Service, US EPA, various electrical utilities, local health departments, and agencies in other countries. This is part of an effort between the Synoptic Climatology Laboratory and NWS to develop heat/health systems for every major city in the United States. At present, about 25 such systems are in operation in the United States, nine are running in Italy, seven in South Korea, three in Canada, and one in China. In addition, three cold weather Health Warning Systems are in operation in the U.S. and Canada. Kalkstein and his colleagues have also just developed the first cold advisory for cattle, or CANL (Cold Advisory for Newborn Livestock). This system, now in operation at the Glasgow, MT National Weather Service Office, advises ranchers when weather conditions are unsuitable for young livestock, and will be expanded to more NWS offices throughout the Upper Midwest.

    Dr. Kalkstein and his team are also actively involved in the development of various weather indices for use in applied climatological analysis. These include air mass-based synoptic classifications and the development of a relative climatological index, the "Heat Stress Index" (HSI; funded by NOAA/National Climatic Data Center). The HSI is being tested at a number of NOAA Weather Forecast Offices to determine its feasibility for forecaster guidance and as a public product. In addition, under a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services/Division of Energy Assistance, the HSI will be used this summer to provide guidance in the distribution of federal funds to states based upon the severity of excessive heat events.

    Dr. Kalkstein and his colleagues at the Synoptic Climatology Laboratory are working with the US EPA to develop a standardized set of intervention measures for cities when heat emergencies are called. The newest project involves the development of a “tool kit” for cities to deal with warning issuance, intervention measures, stakeholder collaboration, and determining if procedures are saving lives during hot weather. He is also working with the EPA to determine how many lives can be saved by his developed Heat Health Warning Systems under various climate change scenarios. This work is also being undertaken in a more detailed fashion under a two year grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

    Dr. Kalkstein is immediate past president of the International Society of Biometeorology, the largest biometeorological organization in the world. The ISB deals with wide-ranging research involving the impact of weather upon animals, plants, and human health and well-being. For example, the Synoptic Climatology Laboratory is in the midst of a multi-year research grant with the US Forest Service to determine the meteorological causes for the spread of a pine fungus in the Rocky Mountains, and gypsy moths in the midwestern U.S., projects perfectly suited for the ISB.

    Throughout his career, he has published over 120 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters in leading climatological, geographical, and medical journals and has been editor for two major climatological journals: Climate Research and the International Journal of Biometeorology. Most important, he has been collaborating with a number of his ex-graduate students and other young colleagues who have provided invaluable support in meeting the research demands of the Synoptic Climatology Laboratory. Most of these individuals are now professors at major institutions such as the University of Oklahoma, Kent State University, University of Miami, University of Virginia, Millersville University, and Simon Fraser University, and have developed major national and international reputations. These collaborations are perhaps the most satisfying success stories of the Synoptic Climatology Laboratory.