Biology

Zachary Fuquay, a junior majoring in Meteorology in the WKU Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences (EEAS), was recently awarded a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship.

The Hollings Scholarship will support Fuquay’s academic studies for the next two years and includes a full-time research internship at a NOAA research facility during the summer of 2027.

“This scholarship aids in funding the remainder of my undergraduate education, along with providing me an internship in the summer between my junior and senior year,” Fuquay said. “The internship is a research-focused opportunity at a NOAA facility with a direct NOAA mentor. This allows me to further explore the research sector of meteorology and possibly pursue a career in that field once graduated.”

In his time at WKU, Fuquay has been actively involved in undergraduate research, including receiving a WKU Faculty-Undergraduate Student Engagement (FUSE) grant to support his work in the WKU Climate Research Lab. His research investigates the weather patterns responsible for snowmelt and evaluates what causes variations and shifts in pattern frequencies over time.

Dr. Zachary Suriano, Associate Professor in EEAS and Fuquay’s research mentor, emphasized the significance of this work. “Snowmelt flooding is a highly impactful meteorological hazard that causes millions of dollars of damage annually across the middle latitudes,” Dr. Suriano said. 

“The research by Zach and his peers is building a greater understanding of what causes hazardous conditions to occur such that we can apply the knowledge to improve forecast models and ultimately reduce risk.”

The first peer-reviewed journal article resulting from this research is currently under review for publication, with a second article in development. Supported by his FUSE award, Fuquay co-authored and presented findings at both the Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS) annual meeting and the WKU Student Scholar Showcase last academic year. He will present new results at the 2026 KAS meeting in Murray, KY, and the 2027 American Meteorological Society annual meeting in Denver, CO.

Fuquay acknowledges how vital these early academic experiences were in securing the competitive award. “My FUSE / CRL research has helped me achieve this scholarship,” Fuquay said. “Even if the internship I take part in is not directly connected to my previous research, the skills I have learned will definitely aid in that and vice versa once my internship is completed.”

With this scholarship, Fuquay enters an exclusive company. Since the Hollings Scholarship was established in 2005, only 2,310 students nationwide have received the honor, designed to enhance academic and career paths, deepen skills within NOAA mission areas, and expand professional networks.

Dr. Greg Goodrich, Associate Professor and Director for the WKU Meteorology program, underscored the prominent status of Fuquay’s award. “The Hollings Scholarship from NOAA is one of the most prestigious awards available to undergraduate students in Meteorology. As just the fourth WKU Meteorology student to receive this award, Zach is on a trajectory for a successful career.”

Professionally, Fuquay aspires to advance scientific understanding of destructive weather events in partnership with emergency managers and private corporations such that his research can be applied to develop more tailored and accurate hazard mitigation plans while further serving the public through weather/hazard app development. 

“The Hollings Scholarship will positively transform my time at WKU by giving me access to a greater network of mentors and connections,” Fuquay said. Those connections, Fuquay believes, will help grow not only his professional trajectory but also build on the strengths and reputation of WKU’s Meteorology program.