Silvia Lombardo is a student at Indiana University double majoring in international studies and atmospheric sciences. They grew up in Ogden Dunes and went to Munster High School. Now, they are interning with NASA, where they study rising sea levels.
“I really like to explore the world of climate science and the intersection between physical science and social change,” said Lombardo. “I like trying to use science as a means to help stakeholders and decision-makers make informed decisions on what to do next when it comes to climate change and social issues. Right now, I'm doing research studying sea level rise and its impact on the local communities in Virginia.”
Lombardo hopes to use their experience and knowledge to help transition to a more climate-conscious future.
“It is my belief that, in order to truly transition towards a more climate-conscious future, it's not just the responsibility of individuals to make changes,” said Lombardo. “It is for larger institutions to make shifts within their business strategies. I hope to inform multinational corporations and federal institutions on how they can improve their environmental impact. In addition, I want to help climate scientists further research within the field of climate mitigation and climate adaptation techniques.”
Lombardo lists growing up in Ogden Dunes as a driving factor and influencer for their interest in climate science.
“It is a very small little community, and it's right on the border of the Indiana Dunes National Park,” said Lombardo. “It's basically like a community where the kids can just go run wild. I spent my upbringing hanging out in the woods, playing with sticks, running around, and discovering nature. I was lucky enough to also get to swim all the time. That's where I cultivated my love for water, which I think has really reflected in my studies because I now like to study water. I studied snow last summer at the University of Utah, and I’m currently studying sea level rise. As an atmospheric scientist, I studied clouds and precipitation patterns. I went from loving Lake Michigan and loving to swim in the lake to studying the systems that could defeat it.”
With NASA’s Student Airborne Research Program, Lombardo has the opportunity to do holistic earth system science research. The program allows Lombardo to develop their own research skills while working with professionals and other fellow rising university seniors.
“I'm surrounded by some amazing people from all around the world,” said Lombardo. “Each one of them has their own interests, and it's really great to get to know those types of people. One of my roommates is obsessed with methane gas. That really excites me because it's a greenhouse gas and it's really fun to study. I have another friend here who studies mushrooms, and he took me foraging for mushrooms. It is just proof that it's really fun to find a community of people who love science and adventure as much as I do.”
Not only is Lombardo an accomplished academic, but they are also a talented musician. Lombardo wrote their first album in 2021. Lombardo also performed with the Cosmic Songwriters Club in Bloomington.
“I grew up in a very musical household,” said Lombardo. “Throughout the day, we would always have an album on, whether it was classical music, classic rock, or any other genre. My dad played a lot of guitar, and I always loved singing with him. I ended up always just singing, and I learned lyrics really quickly. I could spend hours with my headphones on and just be happy with the music in my hands. I started writing my own poetry when I was 12. I slowly started picking up the guitar. By 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I had been learning all kinds of other musicians' music. I had always played other people's music, but with COVID-19, I started to take that poetry that I'd been writing for the past eight years and put it to song.”
Lombardo came out with an electronic project called “Spring Broke” as part of their latest musical project Cosmic Songwriters Club in Bloomington.