In its 66th episode, the Behind The Science Podcast team explored the research of climatologist Dr. Irene Crisologo, who focuses on improving the consistency of measurements between satellite data and ground-based weather radar systems in the Philippines.
The Philippines, with its inherent mountainous terrain and manmade urban structures like buildings and towers, presents challenges in detecting or accurately tracking rainfall—its amount, intensity, frequency, and more. These blockages interfere with radar signals, posing difficulties for climate researchers and practitioners.
To address this, Dr. Crisologo and her colleagues calibrated ground-based weather radar measurements in selected areas across the country and cross-referenced them with satellite data from NASA. By identifying areas where radar signals are obstructed by these barriers, the team was able to make better comparisons between spaceborne and ground-based radar observations—ultimately enhancing the reliability of weather data.
Dr. Crisologo also broke down the jargon from her study into layman’s terms. She used an analogy to explain the importance of calibration: comparing satellite and ground radar data without accounting for beam blockage is like comparing photos taken with a phone camera and a DSLR that has a smudge on its lens. This analogy, according to her, highlighted the importance of quality control—of cleaning the “lens,” so to speak—by calibrating ground-based radar signals before comparing them to satellite data. She emphasized that avoiding blocked areas leads to a clearer view of precipitation from the ground upward.
The podcast also delved into Dr. Crisologo’s early academic journey and what sparked her interest in science. As a BS Applied Physics student at the University of the Philippines Diliman, she would invent her own solutions to their Physics textbook exercises just for fun. A self-proclaimed nerd, she enjoyed working in research labs with her supervisors and seniors in class. She pursued further studies, earning an MS in Geology from the same university, followed by a PhD in Climatology from the University of Potsdam, and later, a postdoctoral fellowship in Science Communication at Northwestern University.
Although being a researcher has its challenges, Dr. Crisologo finds fulfillment in it—especially in giving her the opportunity to attend conferences and network with others who share her passion for radar meteorology.
As the episode wrapped up, she offered a word of advice for young researchers: “Huwag kayong mahiya to ask questions…” (Don’t be shy to ask questions). She encourages students to reach out to authors and engage with research papers that spark their curiosity.
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Research Spotlight:
Crisologo, I., Warren, R. A., Mühlbauer, K., & Heistermann, M. (2018). Enhancing the consistency of spaceborne and ground-based radar comparisons by using beam blockage fraction as a quality filter. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, 11(9), 5223-5236. https://amt.copernicus.org/articles/11/5223/2018/#bib1.bibx63
Do you want to nominate a scientist in the field of DRR and geosciences to be featured on the Behind the Science Podcast? Or, have you read an author’s publication whose behind-the-scenes story you are eager to hear about? Email us at upri.educ@up.edu.ph, and we will do our best to feature them on the BTS Podcast!