Lost Science delves into the personal accounts of scientists who have faced job losses or funding cuts under the Trump administration. These interviews are thoughtfully edited for clarity and conciseness. To understand more about this series, please read this explanation.
My earliest memory is a terrifying one: the Earth rumbling violently, objects flying, and my neighbor’s home visibly splitting apart. This was during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, with its epicenter just five miles from my childhood home. That profound and traumatic experience opened my eyes to the inherent instability of what I once perceived as solid ground and ignited a lifelong fascination with geological hazards.
During my graduate studies, I specialized in structural geology, driven by a deep desire to understand the mechanics of fault lines and their potential impact on communities. My ambition was always to contribute to the public good through science. This led me to a fulfilling role at the Washington Geological Survey, where I focused on mitigating volcano, tsunami, and earthquake risks for the state.
In July of 2024, I took on the role of tsunami program manager at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A cornerstone of my responsibilities was ensuring that vital tsunami alerts reached the public swiftly and effectively, and that communities were equipped with the knowledge to respond appropriately.
Many of the tsunami warning centers operated by the National Weather Service relied on critically outdated technology and software, some even predating the 1960s. My mission was to modernize these systems, enabling faster dissemination of alerts and providing more comprehensive information to those in harm’s way.
My work involved close collaboration with the NOAA Center for Tsunami Research, responsible for developing the very software and systems used by these warning centers. This program operates within NOAA’s Oceanic and Atmospheric Research arm, and any reduction in its capacity is a serious concern. NOAA’s tsunami initiative was already operating on minimal resources, desperately needing increased staff and funding. It’s a small, highly specialized team, and the loss of even a few individuals with unique expertise, like myself, inevitably creates dangerous gaps in our public safety infrastructure.
Despite my direct contributions to public safety and early warning, I was, to my dismay, terminated in February as a probationary employee. The experience was truly agonizing.
Few choose federal government work for the salary alone; it’s a calling rooted in public service and the pursuit of impactful work. I genuinely mourn the career I diligently built and deeply cherished.
Corina Allen, formerly the tsunami program manager for NOAA, where she was instrumental in improving early warning systems, now contributes her expertise to Washington state’s Department of Natural Resources.
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