Lost Science is an ongoing series featuring accounts from scientists who faced job losses or funding cuts due to policy changes by the previous administration. These interviews are edited for clarity and conciseness.
My earliest memory is the terrifying sensation of the Earth shaking, objects scattering, and my neighbor’s home fracturing before my eyes during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. With the epicenter just five miles from my childhood home, this traumatic event profoundly shaped my understanding of geological hazards, revealing that what I once perceived as stable was, in fact, profoundly unstable.
During my graduate studies, I specialized in structural geology, delving into the intricacies of fault lines, their origins, and their potential societal impact. Driven by a lifelong desire to serve the public and apply scientific knowledge for the common good, I eagerly accepted a position at the Washington Geological Survey, where I focused on mitigating volcano, tsunami, and earthquake risks across the state.
In July 2024, I became NOAA’s tsunami program manager. A crucial aspect of my role involved guaranteeing that vital tsunami alerts reached the public swiftly and that communities were well-informed on how to respond to such warnings.
These critical alerts originate from the National Weather Service’s tsunami warning centers, which unfortunately relied on significantly outdated technology and software, some of it from the 1960s. My work centered on modernizing these systems to ensure alerts were disseminated more rapidly and contained comprehensive information.
My responsibilities included close collaboration with the NOAA Center for Tsunami Research, the entity responsible for developing the software and systems employed by the warning centers. This vital program, falling under NOAA’s Oceanic and Atmospheric Research division, faced serious threats from potential budget reductions. NOAA’s tsunami program was already operating with minimal resources, desperately needing additional staff and funding. It’s a compact team, and the loss of even a few individuals with specialized, irreplaceable expertise, like myself, invariably leads to critical oversights.
Despite my dedication, I had hoped to be exempt from cuts earlier this year, given my direct involvement in enhancing public safety through crucial alert and early warning systems. However, as a probationary employee, I was dismissed in February. The experience was truly agonizing.
Federal government service is rarely about monetary gain. It’s about a profound commitment to public service and making a meaningful impact. I deeply mourn the career I had envisioned and painstakingly built.
Corina Allen previously served as the tsunami program manager for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where she was instrumental in enhancing early warning systems. She currently holds a position with Washington state’s Department of Natural Resources.