Lauren Burns (Ph.D. Geography)
I am from Jeffersonville, Indiana, where my fascination with severe weather began. When I was 13, a violent EF-4 tornado tore through my home county. I was so captivated by understanding why it occurred that I decided to study meteorology one day
In 2017, I moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to join the inaugural women’s golf team at UNC Charlotte. However, I eventually decided to focus entirely on pursuing a degree in meteorology. During my undergraduate studies, I discovered a passion for teaching and helping others, which inspired me to continue my education beyond earning my bachelor’s degree in May 2021.
As part of my master’s program at UNC Charlotte, I conducted pedagogical research focused on developing spatial thinking skills in undergraduate meteorology majors. I presented my findings at several professional conferences, including the Earth Educators Rendezvous (2022, 2023, 2024) and the American Meteorological Society’s 32nd Conference on Education (2023). My research was recognized with the 2025 Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award (https://geoearth.charlotte.edu/2024/11/15/phd-student-wins-thesis-award/).
Between completing my master’s degree and beginning my PhD, I spent a year as a visiting lecturer at UNC Charlotte. I taught two sections each of Introduction to Meteorology and Earth Science per semester. This experience further solidified my passion for teaching and provided invaluable experience in the classroom. During my PhD, I plan to continue my research on how and when students develop spatial thinking skills in meteorology.
Outside of academics and meteorology, I enjoy spending time with my dog, Zoey, and traveling with my husband. My hobbies include reading, hiking, playing golf, Taylor Swift, skiing, snowboarding, and simply being with the people I love.