How do you improve hurricane forecasts? By studying one of the most powerful and destructive forces on Earth up close—where the ocean meets the atmosphere.In this episode of Notre Dame Stories, Professor David Richter explains how new drone technology is helping scientists better understand what happens inside a hurricane close to the ocean’s surface—and why this research is vital for improving forecasts. Richter also reflects on how his work connects to a deeper calling, and how he challenges students to see engineering as both a technical pursuit and a human vocation.---
Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:32 Why hurricanes are difficult to forecast03:13 How drones are advancing hurricane research04:57 How aerial drones are deployed over hurricanes07:00 How aerial drones capture hurricane data09:04 Fluid Dynamics Professor David Richter shares how his faith guides his research10:38 Engineering and the Human Vocation
---
Show links:
• Episode Page (https://fightingfor.nd.edu/podcast/)
• Fighting to improve hurricane forecasts (https://go.nd.edu/fighting-to-improve-hurricane-forecasts)
• Subscribe (https://go.nd.edu/nd-stories-podcast)
More from Notre Dame Videos
- 1:17:11Notre Dame Forum: Healing our National Dialogue and Political Life with Cardinal McElroyIn a political landscape where many Americans believe political discourse has become unproductive, stressful, and disrespectful, where do we find reason for hope? Join us for a timely conversation that will explore the roots of our societal divides and offer strategies to move forward together toward a more unified future.
- 2:01Fighting to cure brain cancerEach year, more than 12,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer. The disease grows rapidly, adapts quickly, and evades the immune system—making it one of the most difficult cancers to treat.At the University of Notre Dame, Meenal Datta, the Jane Schoelch DeFlorio Collegiate Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, and her research team are pushing the boundaries of cancer research by taking the fight to space. In 2024, they launched a first-of-its-kind glioblastoma experiment to the International Space Station, using microgravity to grow more realistic tumor models and accelerate testing for new therapies.Their groundbreaking work is helping scientists understand glioblastoma in new ways—and bringing us closer to a cure here on Earth.
- 25:16NDWorks Podcast: Chasing the magic with Matt CashoreIn this episode of NDWorks Podcast, host Natalie Davis Miller sits down with Matt Cashore, photography program director in Brand Content. Cashore talks about his life, his time on campus as both a student and photographer, storytelling through the lens of his camera, and his new coffee table book, Love Thee, Notre Dame.This episode of NDWorks Podcast was edited by Michael Wiens, with original music by Alex Mansour and additional music provided by Universal Production Music.
- 1:22:31ND Forum: A Fireside Chat with General Martin DempseyHope, Global Stability, and the Role of the United States: A Fireside Chat with General Martin DempseyThe United States and the global community face a myriad of complex foreign policy, economic, and security challenges. In the face of these challenges, what opportunities exist to create a more just and peaceful world?Join us for a conversation with General (Ret.) Martin Dempsey who will draw on his experiences as the senior leader of the United States Military from 2011–2015 to offer insights about the importance of creating a culture of hope and building relationships based on trust while navigating even the most daunting challenges.Learn more about the Notre Dame Forum at forum.nd.edu.
- 5:0480 Years After Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Notre Dame Student ReflectionsIn August 2025, a group of Notre Dame students and faculty joined representatives from other U.S. Catholic universities in Japan as part of a "Pilgrimage of Peace" to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
- 0:31Fighting for faster virus detectionBird flu doesn’t just affect birds—it disrupts farms, strains food systems, and raises costs for consumers. A new “electronic nose” detects airborne signs of disease in real time, giving farmers the ability to slow the spread and prevent outbreaks.Easy to use and designed with farmers in mind, the sensor comes in two formats: a barn-mounted monitor for continuous scanning and a handheld version for smaller flocks. The result? Faster detection, fewer sick birds, safer food, and stronger farms.Learn more: https://go.nd.edu/fighting-for-faster-virus-detection
