Valerie Gorden

I joined the Department of Climate, Meteorology, and Atmospheric Sciences (CliMAS) as a master's student in Fall 2025 and am currently working under the supervision of Prof. Shiv Priyam Raghuraman. I am originally from Frederick, MD, and obtained a B.S. in Atmospheric Science from the University of Maryland, College Park. There, I was president of the university's American Meteorological Society student chapter and the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science's (AOSC) student ambassador. I'm continuing my passion for building fun, supportive communities of atmospheric scientists at UIUC by acting as the First-Year Liaison within the CliMAS Grad Student Organization.

Though I am focused on my research as a climate/radiation scientist, I am still very involved in the nuclear community, having completed two nuclear-related internships in undergrad (no climate solutions without nuclear!). When I'm not working, I can be found curling up with my cats Cumulus and Stratus watching a good TV show or movie. I also enjoy hiking, dancing, and looking at cool clouds!