CIMMS’ Sebastian Torres was selected to receive the 2016 Dean’s Award for Outstanding Service, announced Monday by Dean Berrien Moore, III. This annual award recognizes an individual who has displayed exceptional accomplishment in service during the previous calendar year, defined by “activities or duties that advance the interests and/or increase the capabilities of the individual’s unit, the College, the University, or the State of Oklahoma, including outreach, extension, and economic development activities.”
Dr. Torres has gone above and beyond the scope of his duties as CIMMS Assistant Director for NOAA Relations and Senior Research Scientist with the National Severe Storms Laboratory. In addition to his scientific, engineering, and team leadership responsibilities with NSSL and the Advanced Radar Research Center, he is also an Adjunct Associate Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. He leads five CIMMS electrical and software engineers in the Advanced Radar Techniques (ART) team, supporting the vitally important Multifunction Phased Array Radar (MPAR) and NEXRAD Radar Product Improvement (RPI) programs at NSSL. He is also a technical lead on the MPAR Advanced Technology Demonstrator (ATD) Application Software Team.
As CIMMS Assistant Director, Torres has tirelessly advocated for the standardization of performance evaluations of CIMMS employees working with NSSL. He has worked with CIMMS management to develop career track plans for CIMMS staff, taking into account feedback from NOAA Cooperative Institute partners. His efforts ensure the future recognition of contributions made by CIMMS employees, and support the critical partnership between OU and NOAA.
Congratulations, Sebastian, and thank you for all your hard work!