Cindy Shellito

PhD, University of California, 2004
Area of Study: Earth Science

MS, University of California, 1998
Area of Study: Atmospheric Science

BS, University of California, 1993
Area of Study: Atmospheric Science

Professor of Meteorology, University of Northern Colorado
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (2016 – Present)

Beliefs about Climate Change Among Faculty at the University of Northern Colorado

Dr. Emily Holt (Biology) and I completed a survey of UNC Faculty in Fall 2019 regarding their beliefs about climate change, and their thoughts regarding how to better prepare students for UNC climate. We are hoping that this survey might do two things: (1) Assess the environment among faculty regarding openness to implementing climate change literacy across a greater range of disciplines at the university, and (2) provide data to support development of a proposal to NSF for funds to develop faculty professional develop and projects in implementing climate change curricula. We anticipate that the results of the survey will be presented to the university community at the UNC Teaching and Learning Fair in Spring 2020.

Building Community Collaboration for Climate Resilience

Community Collaboration for Climate Resilience (COOLER – https://www.coolernoco.org/; initiated in July 2023; NSF award #2228170) aims to bolster the professional workforce and build a learning ecosystem around Northern Colorado climate resilience. We do this by engaging University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) students, UNCO faculty, and community organizations on collaborative self-led projects that build climate resilience. This is collaborative work with co-PIs Sharon Bywater-Reyes, Chelsie Romulo, and Arika Virapongse of Middlepath EcoSolutions

Using AI and Art to Envision a Sustainable Future

This work, in collaboration with Professor Anna Ursyn in the College of Visual and Performing Arts weaves climate change science, AI, and visual arts into class assignments. Our overriding goal is to evaluate the potential for using AI-generated art as an educational resource in science courses and as a means of triggering students to consider imaginative, innovative solutions to global environmental problems.

Areas of Interest

Dr. Shellito teaches courses in dynamic meteorology, climate science and global change. Her primary areas of specialization include climate variability and change, paleoclimate modeling and science education. Modeling interests focus on the role of greenhouse gases in rapid climate transitions, dynamical mechanisms responsible for maintaining warm climates in Earth’s history, and dynamic and radiative feedbacks between climate and vegetation. Educational interests involve research on using numerical and conceptual models to facilitate inquiry and learning among students in the classroom, and the development of societally-relevant science curricula to promote student interest.

• Córdova, M., Célleri, R., Shellito, C., Orellana, J., Abril, A., and G. Carrillo, 2016. Near-Surface Air Temperature Lapse Rate Over Complex Terrain in the Southern Ecuadorian Andes: Implications for Temperature Mapping, Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 48(4), 678-684.
• Winguth, A., C. Shellito, C. Shields, and C. Winguth, 2010. Climate Response at the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum to Greenhouse Gas Forcing – A Model Study with CCSM3, Journal of Climate, 23, 2562-2584.
• Shellito, C. J., J.F. Lamarque, and L.C. Sloan, 2009. Early Eocene Arctic Climate Sensitivity to pCO2 and Basin Geography, Geophysical Research Letters, 36, L09707, doi:10.1029/2009GL037248.
• Shellito, C. J., and L.C. Sloan, 2006. Reconstructing a Lost Eocene Paradise, Part I: Simulating the Change in Global Floral Distribution at the Initial Eocene Thermal Maximum,Global and Planetary Change, 50, 1-17.
• Shellito, C. J., and L.C. Sloan, 2006. Reconstructing a Lost Eocene Paradise, Part II: On the Utility of Dynamic Global Vegetation Models in Pre-Quaternary Climate Studies, Global and Planetary Change, 50, 18-32.
• Shellito, C.J., L.C. Sloan, and M. Huber, 2003. Climate model sensitivity to atmospheric CO2 levels in the early-middle Paleogene. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 193, 113-123.
• Shellito, C., K. Shea, G. Weissmann, A. Mueller-Solger, and W. Davis, 2001. Suggestions for Effective Mentoring of Undergraduate Researchers. Journal of College Science Teaching, 30, 460-464.