GDLP Director

Doug Gillham

Doug Gillham grew up in Canada between Toronto and Niagara Falls. Both of Doug’s parents were teachers, and for as long as he can remember he has wanted to either be a high school science teacher, or a meteorologist. During high school he wrote a weekly weather column for the local newspaper.

Doug graduated from Houghton College in Western New York having studied secondary education, earth science, communication and Bible. He was a member of the varsity cross country and track teams, and he competed at the national cross-country finals twice. Doug was also the weather broadcaster for four years on a local radio station.

In January of 1997 Doug married his best friend Heather. Doug and Heather moved to Mississippi in the fall of 1997. Heather teaches seventh and eighth grade at Hebron Christian School near Starkville.

In May of 1999, Doug completed his master's degree in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University. During his first year of graduate school Doug worked as a teaching assistant in the Broadcast Meteorology program. He then switched to the Teachers in Geoscience program when it was developed the following year. Doug was also involved in TV and radio broadcasts across Mississippi.

Doug joined the MSU faculty in July of 1999 to work with the Geosciences Distance Learning Programs. He has taught a wide variety of courses in the TIG, BMP and OMP programs, and he coordinates the summer field courses for the TIG program. He also teaches the Forecasting classes for the on-campus meteorology program. Doug is involved with the Department’s storm chasing organization, and his research interests include winter weather, lake effect snow, and long range forecasts. He is currently working on his Ph.D. in Education Technology with an emphasis in Distance Learning

When Doug is not at MSU he enjoys spending time with his wife, running, playing and coaching softball, traveling, reading, working outside, and working with the youth at their church. Doug also enjoys skiing and playing hockey when he returns to Canada during the holidays.