American Meteorological Society awards distinguished professor national award

psu.edu · Feb 24, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — William Brune, distinguished professor of meteorology and atmospheric science at Penn State, was awarded the 2026 Warren Washington Research and Leadership Medal. The medal is presented by the American Meteorological Society (AMS) to individuals who are recognized for the combination of highly significant research and distinguished scientific leadership in the atmospheric and related sciences. Brune was recognized for his “transformational advances in the chemistry of the upper and lower atmosphere, critical leadership at multiple levels, and mentoring of diverse groups.” He was presented with the medal at the 106th AMS Annual Meeting held Jan. 25-29 in Houston. Brune’s research focuses on atmospheric chemistry and aerosols, atmospheric ozone and climate, air quality and health impacts, atmospheric and environmental gas dynamics, air quality monitoring and forecasting, lightning and electromagnetic phenomena, and atmospheric aerosols and clouds. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Geophysical Union and the American Meteorological Society. He joined the Penn State faculty in 1988 as an associate professor and served as head of the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science from 1999 to 2014. Before joining Penn State, he was a research fellow and research associate at Harvard University. He was awarded the Paul F. Robertson Award for Research Breakthrough of the Year Award and the Wilson Award for Excellence in Research by the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences in recognition of his research. Brune earned his bachelor's degree in physics from Southwestern at Memphis, now named Rhodes College, in Memphis, Tennessee. He earned his master’s degree and doctorate, both in physics, from Johns Hopkins University. The Warren Washington Research and Leadership Medal was created in honor of Penn State meteorology alumnus and climate science pioneer Warren Washington. In 1964, Washington became the second African American to receive a doctorate in meteorology nationwide. He was an internationally recognized expert in atmospheric science and climate research and Penn State celebrated his accomplishments by naming a building located in Penn State’s Innovation Park after him. “Others deserve this award more than I do, but I am honored to accept it,” Brune said. “I knew Warren. He personified the importance of honesty, diversity, empathy, principled leadership, facts and discovery science. In these challenging times when these values are under attack, we must do what I think Warren would want us to do: engage our fellow Americans and get them to vote.”