Dr. Ashton Robinson Cook of Little Rock, Arkansas was born with a passion for severe and
extreme weather. He learned first-hand of the perils of severe weather at a very young age; his
family lived in a mobile home that was struck by damaging straight-line winds (possibly a
tornado) at the age of 3. This encounter fueled a passion for weather that continues through his
career along with a number of accomplishments – including becoming the first African-American
male to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology. His dissertation
involved the role of El Niño/La Niña on U.S. tornado outbreaks, and he has since begun work
integrating artificial intelligence and advanced statistical methods for weather prediction. Dr.
Cook has also been featured in multiple media outlets and professional organizations (including
the American Association of State Climatologists) for his research efforts at extended-range
weather prediction. He enjoys storm chasing as a hobby as well as football and travel.