Not many scientists get their pictures on Wheaties boxes, but Dr. Len Pietrafesa, director of external affairs for the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at North Carolina State University, has been so honored as the 2002 National Champion of Science. The honor and the customized cereal box were presented to him at a recent meeting of the University Corporation of Atmospheric Research (UCAR) for his advocacy work in promoting science on Capitol Hill.

While his face on the famous box probably won’t move a lot of cereal in local grocery stores, it might provide inspirational fuel for rising young atmospheric researchers.

Pietrafesa was also elected to UCAR’s board of trustees at the meeting. The organization represents 85 institutions with meteorology education and research programs. UCAR also manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and coordinates the national education and research agenda in atmospheric sciences.

At NC State, Pietrafesa is a specialist in estuarine and continental-margin physical oceanographic processes; geophysical fluid dynamics; western boundary currents; abiotic influences on fish; satellite oceanography; and coastal flooding due to hurricanes.

He received a bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics in 1965 from Fairfield University, a master’s degree in geophysics and fluid physics in 1967 from Boston College and the University of Chicago, and his doctorate in fluid physics and geophysical fluid dynamics in 1973 from the University of Washington.