Quinton Lawton

Quinton Lawton

he/him

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Earth, Atmosphere & Environment, Northern Illinois University. Research into tropical meteorology and global weather prediction.

Teaching

Weather Dynamics I (MET 410/510)

Instructor, Northern Illinois University, Department of Earth, Atmosphere, and Environment, 2026

Primary instructor for a 4-credit stacked undergraduate/graduate course (MET 410/510) on atmospheric dynamics. In this class, I teach the fundamental equations governing synoptic-scale atmospheric motion. Students simplify these equations to relate wind, pressure, and temperature fields as used in weather analysis and forecasting, connecting mathematics to physical intuition about the atmosphere. Topics include advection, kinematic flow, forces, scale analysis, and thermal wind. I also supervise a teaching assistant who leads the course’s laboratory section.

Aviation Meteorology (ATOC 3180)

Guest Lecturer, University of Colorado, Boulder, Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences, 2025

Invited guest lecture on tropical meteorology and its relevance to aviation operations, covering tropical cyclones, squall lines, and tropical wave activity in the context of aviation weather hazards.

Summer Scholars Hurricane Academy (SSA 106)

Co-Instructor and Course Designer, University of Miami, 2021

Co-designed and co-instructed a one-week intensive hurricane science course for high school students through the University of Miami’s Summer Scholars Program. Developed curriculum covering tropical meteorology, hurricane dynamics, and storm surge, with an emphasis on community impacts and science communication.