Laura Kowal
Laura Kowal is a Software Tester who verifies data and tests software for the National Weather Service’s (NWS) meteorological software known as AWIPS (Advanced Interactive Processing Service). Laura knows that her work helps meteorologists at the NWS provide accurate and timely forecasts upon which the entire United States depends. The system provides warnings and a network between forecast offices allowing offices to communicate and coordinate their forecasts. Laura’s meteorological expertise allows her the catch software problems and glitches while ensuring that the software meets the functional needs of the eventual users. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from the University of Utah and is currently in her second year at the University of Maryland pursuing her Masters’ degree in Atmospheric Science.