Dr. Harold Brooks, far left, is pictured here with the 2025 Oklahoma MATHCOUNTS National Team, Stella Hong, Danny Chugunov, Indhraneel Gowram and Aaron Huang along with Coach David Braden and MATHCOUNTS Co-Chair Gaylon Pinc.
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) has announced its 2026 Award and Honors recipients, and among them is Dr. Harold Brooks, Senior Research Scientist with NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma. Dr. Brooks has received the prestigious Robert H. and Joanne Simpson Mentorship Award for his decades of guidance and support to students, scholars, and professionals across meteorology and related fields.
The award citation reads: “For steadfast mentorship of multiple generations of scholars, especially students, and those working in interdisciplinary and international arenas.”
This recognition reflects not only Dr. Brooks’ distinguished scientific career but also his lasting impact on the next generation of leaders in weather and climate research. His mentorship extends beyond the walls of NOAA’s Storm Labs, reaching into classrooms, research programs, and international collaborations. For many, his encouragement and expertise have been the bridge between curiosity and lifelong scientific careers.
Mentorship has always been a cornerstone of progress in the sciences, and the award itself honors two trailblazers. Robert H. Simpson was the first director of the National Hurricane Center and co-creator of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, a system still used today to communicate the strength of tropical cyclones. Joanne Simpson broke barriers as the first woman in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in Meteorology and went on to pioneer research in cloud physics and tropical meteorology. That Dr. Brooks now receives an award bearing their names underscores his own legacy of excellence and mentorship.
In addition to his research career, Dr. Brooks serves as the Oklahoma MATHCOUNTS coaching consultant to the U.S. national team, helping prepare students for the annual national competition. MATHCOUNTS is one of OEF’s four flagship programs. Dr. Brooks has been involved for many years, working with some of the brightest young problem-solvers in the country and encouraging them to develop skills that will carry them into future STEM careers. For Dr. Brooks, programs like MATHCOUNTS represent an important part of mentoring “generations of scholars,” beginning with middle school students whose love for mathematics and science may later lead them to professional research.
Dr. Brooks currently leads research on severe convective storms, probabilities, and impacts within NOAA’s Innovations, Modeling, Prediction, Applications, Communication, and Testbeds Branch. His work has advanced both the understanding of storm behavior and the ways forecasts are communicated to save lives. Yet, as this award highlights, his greatest contribution may be the people he has inspired, mentored, and equipped to continue this vital work.
The AMS Mentorship Award is a testament to a career dedicated not only to advancing meteorology but also to investing in people. For those who have had the privilege of learning under Dr. Brooks’ guidance, the honor is no surprise. For the broader scientific community, it is a reminder of the power of mentorship to shape not just careers, but entire generations.
Congratulations, Dr. Brooks. We appreciate you!