CONTEMPORARY DROUGHT MONITORING WITH THE STANDARDIZED PRECIPITATION INDEX: EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF NONSTATIONARY PRECIPITATION REGIMES IN THE CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES ON THE CHARACTERIZATION OF DROUGHT
Abstract
I would like to sincerely thank my family and friends who supported and encouraged me over the past several years. Especially my dad, David Spade, and my dear friend and mentor, Kris Bowline. You two saw me across the finish line and refused to give up on me. Finishing this degree would not have happened without you two in my corner. Thank you as well to my mom, Maria, and my brother and sisters – Alex, Emilia, and Roxy, who have always been supportive and encouraging throughout my time in school. And a giant hug and thank you to Seth for your endless patience with my hectic schedule and for believing in and encouraging me, no matter the challenge I am facing.
I would also like to thank all my supportive cycling friends, especially Greg and Jackie Grosshans, my teammate Lori Boren Mayse, Dr. Brian Johnson, Dr. Billy Lee Crynes, Dr. Michelle Busch, and Dr. Karelia LaMarca. Thank you all so much for your enduring encouragement and support!
Thank you as well to my current and previous advisors who mentored me throughout this process. Especially Dr. Kirsten de Beurs and Dr. Mark Shafer, who took me under their wing and provided the guidance I needed to complete my dissertation research. I have learned so much from you both and am grateful for your mentorship. I would also like to thank my committee – Drs. Renee McPherson, Michael Wimberly, Todd Fagin, and Yang Hong – for their insight and patience throughout my time as a student. Thank you as well to the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability for giving me this opportunity and for remaining my advocate throughout my tenure as a graduate student. Thank you as well to Dr. Jay (Joshua) Wimhurst, who was very generous with their time and helped me through my coding roadblocks.
Finally, I would like to thank my employer, the Center for Spatial Analysis, for funding the completion of this degree and for showing unwavering patience and support over the past few years. Thank you especially to Dr. Jeffrey Widener for ensuring my degree funding, Leah Nash for never pressuring me and always remaining encouraging and supportive, and Dr. Todd Fagin, who encouraged me to finish after I was set on leaving the program. A huge thank you as well to my coworker, Candace Perry. Watching you complete your degree while remaining a powerhouse in the office has been immensely inspirational!
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