In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Yaga Richter, a scientific leader working to advance Earth system predictability across timescales.
As a Special Projects Lead to the NSF NCAR Director, Yaga leads the Earth System Predictability Across Timescales initiative, helping shape scientific strategy, interdisciplinary partnerships, and team-based approaches that support a more resilient future.
We talk about her unconventional journey into science--moving from Poland to the United States at 13, starting college at 14, and putting herself through school while studying Mathematics and Physics--and how those early experiences shaped her approach to leadership, collaboration, and resilience.
From studying atmospheric gravity waves during her PhD to tackling questions at the interfaces between atmospheric layers, disciplines, and societal needs, Yaga’s work is grounded in one core idea: when we reconnect what has been fragmented, we unlock better science and better outcomes for people.
This conversation dives into what Earth system predictability actually means, why interdisciplinary science matters now more than ever, and what it looks like to lead one of the largest Earth systems organizations.
