Author: Francesco Fiondella5

Science communication occupies a lot of my brain space, even when I’m not in the office at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society, where I oversee communications. I take lots of photos, too. Find out more about me at FrancescoFiondella.com.

New Program Will Tackle Public Health Threats Around the Globe

From pandemics to food crises and climate-related disasters, Columbia’s new Global Health Security and Diplomacy program will help prevent, detect, and respond to a wide range of problems.
Tackling Sleeping Sickness in Maasai Communities

A powerful new tool helps rural Tanzanians reduce their exposure to tsetse flies and the deadly disease they carry.
Malaria Risk Increases in Ethiopian Highlands as Temperatures Climb

The highlands of Ethiopia are home to the majority of the country’s population, the cooler climate serving as a natural buffer against malaria transmission. New data now show that increasing temperatures over the past 35 years are eroding this buffer, allowing conditions more favorable for malaria to begin climbing into highland areas.
Rising Temperatures Lead to Increased Fire Risk in Indonesia

A new paper shows that rising temperatures have increased the risk of fires even during non-drought years in Indonesia, possibly making mild fire seasons in the country a thing of the past.
A Science-Art Collaboration

Artist Michelle Rogers is painting her latest work, an 8x10ft interpretation of Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society. She wants her discussions with scientists to help inform her work.
From Climate Science to Climate Service

What makes for good climate services? A new commentary in the journal Science outlines three considerations.
The World’s First Seasonal Lightning Forecast

At about 250 lightning flashes per square kilometer per year, the Lake Maracaibo Basin in northwestern Venezuela has the highest annual lightning rate of any place in the world.
Fast-Building Storms Play Key Role in Tropical Cyclone Risk

In studying climate and tropical cyclones, researchers find a weather phenomenon at play.
Crowd-Sourcing Tornado Data, and Other Climate Talks

From crowd-sourcing tornado data to teaching Harlem high-school students about climate change and climate justice, IRI scientists will share a number of fascinating projects at the annual meeting of the American Meteorological Society

New Program Will Tackle Public Health Threats Around the Globe

From pandemics to food crises and climate-related disasters, Columbia’s new Global Health Security and Diplomacy program will help prevent, detect, and respond to a wide range of problems.
Tackling Sleeping Sickness in Maasai Communities

A powerful new tool helps rural Tanzanians reduce their exposure to tsetse flies and the deadly disease they carry.
Malaria Risk Increases in Ethiopian Highlands as Temperatures Climb

The highlands of Ethiopia are home to the majority of the country’s population, the cooler climate serving as a natural buffer against malaria transmission. New data now show that increasing temperatures over the past 35 years are eroding this buffer, allowing conditions more favorable for malaria to begin climbing into highland areas.
Rising Temperatures Lead to Increased Fire Risk in Indonesia

A new paper shows that rising temperatures have increased the risk of fires even during non-drought years in Indonesia, possibly making mild fire seasons in the country a thing of the past.
A Science-Art Collaboration

Artist Michelle Rogers is painting her latest work, an 8x10ft interpretation of Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society. She wants her discussions with scientists to help inform her work.
From Climate Science to Climate Service

What makes for good climate services? A new commentary in the journal Science outlines three considerations.
The World’s First Seasonal Lightning Forecast

At about 250 lightning flashes per square kilometer per year, the Lake Maracaibo Basin in northwestern Venezuela has the highest annual lightning rate of any place in the world.
Fast-Building Storms Play Key Role in Tropical Cyclone Risk

In studying climate and tropical cyclones, researchers find a weather phenomenon at play.
Crowd-Sourcing Tornado Data, and Other Climate Talks

From crowd-sourcing tornado data to teaching Harlem high-school students about climate change and climate justice, IRI scientists will share a number of fascinating projects at the annual meeting of the American Meteorological Society