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Dr. Baker Perry, professor in Appalachian State University’s Department of Geography and Planning, speaks with a group of students on a 2018 research trip to the Quelccaya Ice Cap in Peru. Photo by Marie Freeman

Dr. Baker Perry inspires students to reach new heights

“Anytime we can involve students in our research process, they get some valuable experience just like I did. Even if they aren’t involved in research in their future careers, they learn new skills that enable them to produce value wherever they go — and these skills make the students marketable in the industry.”

Dr. Johnathan Sugg ’08 ’13, assistant professor in App State’s Department of Geography and Planning

By Jan Todd
Posted June 1, 2021 at 11:32 a.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Baker Perry, professor in Appalachian State University’s Department of Geography and Planning, is recognized as one of the world’s top experts in high altitude precipitation and climate change.

Over the years, Perry has led undergraduate and graduate students on a number of climate research trips, where principles taught in the classroom come to life through hands-on experience. He sets a high bar for students who wish to participate in his programs.

“Anytime we can involve students in our research process, they get some valuable experience just like I did. Even if they aren’t involved in research in their future careers, they learn new skills that enable them to produce value wherever they go — and these skills make the students marketable in the industry.”

Dr. Johnathan Sugg ’08 ’13, assistant professor in App State’s Department of Geography and Planning

Mountaineering skills, analytical experience, programming ability, a basic proficiency in Spanish and excellent physical conditioning are a few of the qualifications he looks for when seeking research assistants.

“Climate science careers often involve work in harsh and rigorous conditions,” Perry said. “Fieldwork in high mountain environments is physically challenging, with strenuous hiking, camping and gathering data at high elevations in extreme cold.”

“I think it is important for a climate scientist to get involved with the people who are experiencing the effects of climate change. What better way to help them than through science and education? We, as scientists, also have much to learn from them, which can greatly contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change.”

App State alumna Tania Ita Vargas ’19, a climate assistant at the National Weather Service of Peru

Dr. Johnathan Sugg ’08 ’13, assistant professor in App State’s Department of Geography and Planning, served as Perry’s research assistant as both an undergraduate and a graduate student at App State.

“I think it is important for a climate scientist to get involved with the people who are experiencing the effects of climate change. What better way to help them than through science and education? We, as scientists, also have much to learn from them, which can greatly contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change.”

App State alumna Tania Ita Vargas ’19, a climate assistant at the National Weather Service of Peru

As an undergraduate, Sugg worked on a Western North Carolina snowfall mapping project with Perry. In 2013, as a graduate student, Sugg accompanied Perry on a trip to Peru to study climate and glacier interaction in the tropical Andes.

Sugg said, “Anytime we can involve students in our research process, they get some valuable experience just like I did. Even if they aren’t involved in research in their future careers, they learn new skills that enable them to produce value wherever they go — and these skills make the students marketable in the industry.”

Whether in class or in the field, many students say Perry has piqued their interest in studying geography and climate science.

Some of those inspired by Perry and their experiences with him went on to continue their studies, pursue climate-related careers or teach. App State alumni who have served on Perry’s research teams share their experiences and their current work:

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Heather Guy ’18, who earned her Master of Arts in geography from Appalachian State University, worked as a science technician at Summit Station in Greenland. She is pictured inspecting a scientific instrument at the station. Photo submitted

Heather Guy ’18

M.A. in geography

Heather Guy ’18, of the United Kingdom, worked as a graduate research assistant for Perry, studying precipitation patterns in the high tropical Andes. She is now pursuing her Ph.D. from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.

Last winter, as part of a joint-funded project by the United Kingdom National Environment Research Council and the United States National Science Foundation, Guy worked as a science technician at the ICECAPS Observatory at Summit Station in Greenland.

“At App State, I had the opportunity to do research in a remote field setting for the first time. The experience of living and working in a cold, high-altitude environment played a key role in securing me the position to work in Greenland,” Guy said.

“Dr. Perry went above and beyond to create opportunities for me, from attending international conferences to publishing my first academic paper. His enthusiasm, work ethic and inclusive attitude inspired me and formed the model of who I would like to become,” she added.

Guy said she aspires to be a polar field scientist, leading studies in the Arctic and Antarctic to understand how climate change is impacting the most remote regions of the planet.

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Tania Ita Vargas ’19, from Lima, Peru, earned a Master of Arts in geography from Appalachian State University and is a climate assistant at the National Weather Service of Peru. She is pictured during an App State research trip to Peru in 2018. Photo by Marie Freeman

Tania Ita Vargas ’19

M.A. in geography

Tania Ita Vargas ’19, from Lima, Peru, who earned a Master of Arts in geography at App State, served as one of Perry’s research assistants during a trip to the summit of Quelccaya Ice Cap in Peru in 2018. Prior to her work with Perry, she had worked as a meteorologist for five years at the National Weather Service of Peru.

“Dr. Perry always showed great passion for his work and was always excited to talk about climate change, mountains, his expeditions and experiences. During the expedition to Quelccaya, I saw how dedicated he is to the Andean communities,” Ita Vargas said.

She continued, “I think it is important for a climate scientist to get involved with the people who are experiencing the effects of climate change. What better way to help them than through science and education? We, as scientists, also have much to learn from them, which can greatly contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change.”

After graduating from App State, Ita Vargas returned to work at the National Weather Service of Peru, where she serves on the seasonal prediction team and in the scientific technical group studying El Niño and La Niña — two climate patterns in the Pacific Ocean that can affect weather worldwide.

Ita Vargas said her education at App state prepared her to assume the challenges of her work, providing perspective and technical skills she uses every day.

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Eric Burton ’17 holds a Bachelor of Science in geography from Appalachian State University and works in solar energy development for Pine Gate Renewables in Asheville. He is pictured on the Condor Pass in Peru in 2014. Photo submitted

Eric Burton ’17

B.S. in geography

Eric Burton ’17 was an undergraduate member of Perry’s research team studying the climate of the Andes in Peru and Bolivia. Back in the lab at App State, Burton analyzed data coming in from meteorological stations installed in the region. During summer breaks, he traveled with the team to the Andes to service the stations and conduct field research.

“It was a great opportunity to apply the things I was learning about in class, and a real privilege to be part of the team doing important work,” Burton said. “The extra time and effort Dr. Perry spent to help me become a contributing member of the team and the opportunities I received were invaluable.”

Burton currently works in solar energy development for Pine Gate Renewables in Ashville. He said he applies skills and tools learned during his time at App State, as well as “the interdisciplinary background that a geography degree provides is a great fit for the renewables industry.”

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Camila Moreno ’18 ’21 earned a Bachelor of Arts in languages, literatures and cultures and a Master of Arts in geography from Appalachian State University. She is pictured during a research trip to Peru in 2018. Photo by Marie Freeman

Camila Moreno ’18 ’21

B.A. in languages, literatures and cultures-Spanish and Hispanic studies
M.A. in geography

Camila Moreno ’18 ’21 took a geography course to satisfy her general education science requirement at App State — and it changed the direction of her life.

“I was captivated by Dr. Perry’s teaching on climate change, and when I heard about a trip he was leading to the Quelccaya Ice Cap in Peru, I knew I wanted to go,” said Moreno, who majored in languages, literatures and cultures with a concentration in Spanish and Hispanic studies.

Perry said, “Camila came into the field with us and really had the ability to understand pretty complex material. She was outstanding. Being out in the cold and altitude, away from the comforts of home, really tests people. Camila stayed super positive and was a great team member on the expedition.”

Moreno, whose family immigrated to the U.S. from Columbia, is fluent in Spanish, and Perry said she conversed with the guides and members of the community during the trip, becoming very engaged with the work.

“The assignments during the trip were very challenging; the climate was definitely the harshest I’ve ever experienced,” Moreno said. “But challenging yourself is the way you grow.”

Moreno ended up minoring in geography as an undergraduate and continued her education at App State, where she graduated with her Master of Arts in geography this spring.

As a graduate student, Moreno worked with Dr. Maggie Sugg, assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Planning, to study drought patterns in the U.S.

This fall, Moreno will begin teaching as an adjunct instructor at App State.

What do you think?

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Appalachian State University’s Dr. Baker Perry, right, and Dr. Tom Matthews, both members of National Geographic and Rolex’s 2019 Perpetual Planet Extreme Expedition to Mount Everest, work on the automated weather station at the Everest Base Camp. Learn more at www.natgeo.com/everest. Photo by Freddie Wilkinson, National Geographic

Baker Perry: A National Geographic Explorer

Dr. Baker Perry, professor in App State’s Department of Geography and Planning, is also a National Geographic Explorer.

Perry was part of the 2019 National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Everest Expedition team that installed a network of meteorological stations on Mount Everest, including the two highest weather stations in the world.

In February, he co-led a National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Expedition team to more than 20,000 feet in elevation on Tupungato, a dormant volcano in Chile, to install a weather station — the highest station in the Southern and Western hemispheres.

The installations yielded more than just world records, Perry said. Data from the Tupungato station will help scientists understand climate change and the long-term impacts on the water resources in the drought-stricken region in the Andes. The Mount Everest stations improve climber safety by providing near real-time weather information, help scientists study and understand the subtropical jet stream and provide data to predict glacier erosion in the region and the impact on water resources.

Back on campus, Perry and some of his students analyze and disseminate data from the weather stations on Mount Everest and Tupungato. In addition, the App State team manages the operation and maintenance of the Everest weather station network, in coordination with the National Geographic Society and other partners on the project.

Check out this video for a glimpse into the Tupungato expedition.

Mountain Studies Lecture Series
Mountain Studies Lecture Series
Nov. 10, 2020

Watch this video for highlights of the 2019 National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Extreme Expedition to Mount Everest — shared by App State’s Dr. Baker Perry during the College of Arts and Sciences’ inaugural Mountain Studies Lecture Series, held virtually in 2020.

Watch the video
App State researchers scale Mount Everest to conduct climate research as part of National Geographic expedition
App State researchers scale Mount Everest to conduct climate research as part of National Geographic expedition
June 14, 2019

Dr. Baker Perry and Dr. Anton Seimon were part of a multidisciplinary expedition that installed the world’s two highest weather stations (at 8,430 meters and 7,945 meters), examined soil samples and glacial lakes to better understand the range of life surviving on Earth’s highest peaks, and more.

Read the story
Find Your Sustain Ability: Dr. Baker Perry
Find Your Sustain Ability: Dr. Baker Perry
Jan. 27, 2020

Appalachian's own Dr. Baker Perry has ascended to great heights for climate change research. On this Find Your Sustain Ability, Perry provides insights from his 2019 National Geographic and Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Extreme Expedition to Mount Everest, in which he and the expedition team climbed more than 27,000 feet to install the world's highest weather station.

Read the story
Dr. Baker Perry — 'cornerstone of research’ in Appalachia and the Andes
Dr. Baker Perry — 'cornerstone of research’ in Appalachia and the Andes
March 15, 2019

Dr. Baker Perry, professor in App State’s Department of Geography and Planning, has involvement and research interests in the tropical Andes and Appalachian Mountains. His work in studying precipitation, snow and ice, tropical glacier–climate interactions and climate change helps affected populations plan for the future.

Read the story
Climbing into thin air for climate research
Climbing into thin air for climate research

A faculty-led study abroad in Peru supports NSF experiments and student learning

March 15, 2019

Appalachian students joined Dr. Baker Perry, one of the top experts in his field, to climb mountains and traverse glaciers in Peru, all while participating in climate research projects that may impact the world.

Read the story
Watch videos
The graduate experience: conferences, collaboration and scaling the Andes
The graduate experience: conferences, collaboration and scaling the Andes
Aug. 16, 2018

As a graduate student studying geography at Appalachian, Heather Guy did fieldwork in the remote Andes in Peru and Bolivia — far removed from her prior days spent in front of a computer screen.

Read the story

About the Department of Geography and Planning

The Department of Geography and Planning promotes the understanding of the spatial dimensions of human behavior within the physical and cultural systems of the earth, and the role of planning in achieving improvement in those systems. The department offers degrees in geography and in community and regional planning. Learn more at https://geo.appstate.edu.

About the College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and locations. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,800 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

“Anytime we can involve students in our research process, they get some valuable experience just like I did. Even if they aren’t involved in research in their future careers, they learn new skills that enable them to produce value wherever they go — and these skills make the students marketable in the industry.”

Dr. Johnathan Sugg ’08 ’13, assistant professor in App State’s Department of Geography and Planning

View larger image

Appalachian State University’s Dr. Baker Perry, right, and Dr. Tom Matthews, both members of National Geographic and Rolex’s 2019 Perpetual Planet Extreme Expedition to Mount Everest, work on the automated weather station at the Everest Base Camp. Learn more at www.natgeo.com/everest. Photo by Freddie Wilkinson, National Geographic

Baker Perry: A National Geographic Explorer

Dr. Baker Perry, professor in App State’s Department of Geography and Planning, is also a National Geographic Explorer.

Perry was part of the 2019 National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Everest Expedition team that installed a network of meteorological stations on Mount Everest, including the two highest weather stations in the world.

In February, he co-led a National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Expedition team to more than 20,000 feet in elevation on Tupungato, a dormant volcano in Chile, to install a weather station — the highest station in the Southern and Western hemispheres.

The installations yielded more than just world records, Perry said. Data from the Tupungato station will help scientists understand climate change and the long-term impacts on the water resources in the drought-stricken region in the Andes. The Mount Everest stations improve climber safety by providing near real-time weather information, help scientists study and understand the subtropical jet stream and provide data to predict glacier erosion in the region and the impact on water resources.

Back on campus, Perry and some of his students analyze and disseminate data from the weather stations on Mount Everest and Tupungato. In addition, the App State team manages the operation and maintenance of the Everest weather station network, in coordination with the National Geographic Society and other partners on the project.

Check out this video for a glimpse into the Tupungato expedition.

“I think it is important for a climate scientist to get involved with the people who are experiencing the effects of climate change. What better way to help them than through science and education? We, as scientists, also have much to learn from them, which can greatly contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change.”

App State alumna Tania Ita Vargas ’19, a climate assistant at the National Weather Service of Peru

Mountain Studies Lecture Series
Mountain Studies Lecture Series
Nov. 10, 2020

Watch this video for highlights of the 2019 National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Extreme Expedition to Mount Everest — shared by App State’s Dr. Baker Perry during the College of Arts and Sciences’ inaugural Mountain Studies Lecture Series, held virtually in 2020.

Watch the video
App State researchers scale Mount Everest to conduct climate research as part of National Geographic expedition
App State researchers scale Mount Everest to conduct climate research as part of National Geographic expedition
June 14, 2019

Dr. Baker Perry and Dr. Anton Seimon were part of a multidisciplinary expedition that installed the world’s two highest weather stations (at 8,430 meters and 7,945 meters), examined soil samples and glacial lakes to better understand the range of life surviving on Earth’s highest peaks, and more.

Read the story
Find Your Sustain Ability: Dr. Baker Perry
Find Your Sustain Ability: Dr. Baker Perry
Jan. 27, 2020

Appalachian's own Dr. Baker Perry has ascended to great heights for climate change research. On this Find Your Sustain Ability, Perry provides insights from his 2019 National Geographic and Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Extreme Expedition to Mount Everest, in which he and the expedition team climbed more than 27,000 feet to install the world's highest weather station.

Read the story
Dr. Baker Perry — 'cornerstone of research’ in Appalachia and the Andes
Dr. Baker Perry — 'cornerstone of research’ in Appalachia and the Andes
March 15, 2019

Dr. Baker Perry, professor in App State’s Department of Geography and Planning, has involvement and research interests in the tropical Andes and Appalachian Mountains. His work in studying precipitation, snow and ice, tropical glacier–climate interactions and climate change helps affected populations plan for the future.

Read the story
Climbing into thin air for climate research
Climbing into thin air for climate research

A faculty-led study abroad in Peru supports NSF experiments and student learning

March 15, 2019

Appalachian students joined Dr. Baker Perry, one of the top experts in his field, to climb mountains and traverse glaciers in Peru, all while participating in climate research projects that may impact the world.

Read the story
Watch videos
The graduate experience: conferences, collaboration and scaling the Andes
The graduate experience: conferences, collaboration and scaling the Andes
Aug. 16, 2018

As a graduate student studying geography at Appalachian, Heather Guy did fieldwork in the remote Andes in Peru and Bolivia — far removed from her prior days spent in front of a computer screen.

Read the story

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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