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Professor John Gyakum (Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences) Recipient of Leo Yaffe Award for Excellence in Teaching 2025

Published: 16 June 2025

A professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, John Gyakum is an exceptionally talented and gifted educator, who has shaped the learning experience for many students at every stage both within 51³Ô¹ÏÍøand far beyond, leaving an indelible mark on their academic journeys and future pursuits. Professor Gyakum is equally effective when explaining complex ideas about weather systems to first year students as when leading discussions in more advanced courses on synoptic meteorology. He excels in using educational technology and applies almost every system yet invented, while simultaneously maintaining a vibrant and engaging connection with his students. In explaining the value of his courses, students consistently emphasize that, in addition to his friendly and charismatic demeanor, he is passionate about using education to solve real-world problems. Professor Gyakum teaches about these topics in large undergraduate courses on natural disasters that regularly attract over 600 students. By using a variety of strategies including live demonstrations, polls and videos, he commands their attention and gets them involved in asking questions contributing to their participation in class discussions. Professor John Gyakum is Internationally recognized for his research on extreme weather systems involving cyclones and hurricanes. He is also extensively involved in educating the public about the effects of extreme weather and climate change, giving dozens of invited talks and interviews on radio, television and at public meetings.

Leo Yaffe Award for Excellence in Teaching

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