Cindy Combs retires leaving legacy of collaboration, foundational satellite work
Typically, for climate studies, a researcher might work with forty years of data to account for variation that happens across multiple years. When Cindy Combs started working at CSU, satellites that collect relevant data had not been up for very long.
Over thirty years later, Combs is retiring from CSU’s Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere after a meaningful career working to make satellite data available for climate studies and other research. CIRA is a collaboration between NOAA and the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering.
“There’s so much we still don’t know. This planet works on its own pace and its own rules, and we’re still just figuring out the rules. It’s a very complex and beautiful planet. Just when you think you know what’s going on, then something will happen,” said Combs, “You’ve got to be open enough to say, ‘okay this doesn’t fit the theory; that doesn’t mean it’s wrong’.”
Combs was a leader of a project starting in the 1990s working on regional cloud climatologies. She worked to make cloud information available and used it to answer questions about how clouds influence Earth’s weather system. With expertise in programming, Combs started the project writing code from scratch. She said there were no packages — pre-written, organized code — to build on. The resulting products were transitioned to National Weather Service offices, including at Wakefield, VA, Cheyenne, WY and Eureka, CA where they provided guidance to weather forecasters.
“Cindy mentored several high school and undergraduate hourly employees as part of the project, who gained valuable experience with data processing and satellite meteorology,” said Mark Demaria, a fellow researcher at CIRA, “This was a very successful project, which spanned over a decade.”
Other research efforts by Combs have enhanced understanding of soil moisture, redwoods, milky seas and topics beyond the atmospheric sciences. In a recent review of over 1600 publications, Combs found that researchers use low-light nighttime satellite data to conduct research on a myriad of topics.
A CIRA retreat at Pingree Park run by then-CIRA Director Tomas Vonder Haar, with Combs on the far right
“I’ve worked with a lot of great people. I’ve done a lot of great things,” said Combs, “It’s been good.”
Combs retires from CSU with a legacy of research and collaboration. Future research at CIRA will continue to grow on the building blocks that Combs established.
“Cindy is a really warm, down-to-earth person, a careful data scientist, and a consummate team player. Over our many years of research interactions, I’ve always been able to count on her to take on the drudgery with a smile and can-do attitude, resulting in some important research outcomes that she can be very proud of!” said CIRA Director Steven Miller, “She has always been a special part of our team and will be missed. Wishing you all the best in your new chapter, and congratulations, Cindy!”
Combs looks forward to traveling and spending time with family post-retirement. She plans to continue learning by taking courses and trainings offered in the CSU and greater Fort Collins community.