Storm chaser kicks off Profiles and Perspectives series

NEWS RELEASE
Issued - September 14, 2009

ARDMORE, Okla. – Most people have never experienced a tornado from the inside, and most people who have survived a tornado weren't actually seeking the encounter. Reed Timmer is not most people.

Timmer, a storm chaser, meteorologist and star of the Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers, will kick off the 2009-2010 season of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation's popular speaker series Profiles and Perspectives. Timmer, Ph.D., who has intercepted more than 250 tornadoes and a dozen hurricanes in the last 10 years, will present "Extreme Tornado Research and Photography: The Real-Life Version of the movie Twister" at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Ardmore Convention Center.

"Dr. Timmer is known around the world as one of the best extreme storm chasers. He presents tornadoes from a perspective most of us have never seen or even imagined," said Mary Kate Wilson, Noble Foundation granting program officer and chair of the Profiles and Perspectives Committee. "He combines an adventurous spirit with a scientist's focus and attention to detail as he pursues a better understanding of tornadoes. Timmer's presentation is sure to be an audience favorite."

During his visually stimulating presentation, Timmer weaves personal stories, tornado intercept videos and scientific research as he discusses (and shows) why he literally drives into the heart of tornadoes. Timmer and his team designed and constructed a bulletproof storm research vehicle (SRV) that allows them to capture wind data from inside tornadoes. Audience members will get a firsthand look at the SRV, which will be on display during the event.

The 2009-2010 Profiles and Perspectives series is offered at no cost, courtesy of the Noble Foundation. Additional information can be obtained by calling the Noble Foundation at 580.224.6246 or visiting www.noble.org/profiles. The Ardmore Convention Center is located at 2401 N. Rockford Road, Ardmore, Okla.

Profiles and Perspectives' second installment will be on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with Billy Handy, who will present "The Keys to Effective Social Media Engagement."

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For media inquiries concerning the Noble Foundation, please contact:

J. Adam Calaway

jacalaway@noble.org

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.