Blended scientific brilliance with creativity and soul

JENNI LOUISE EVANS March 3, 1962-April 3, 2025

Melbourne-born Dr Jenni Evans, a globally recognised climate scientist who led groundbreaking research on tropical cyclones and hurricane activity and climate change, has died peacefully in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. She was 63 and passed away surrounded by her sisters Christina and Kimberley, her beloved husband Bruce, and dear friends Francesca and Diane.

A tenured professor at Penn State University, Jenni served as president of the American Meteorological Society between 2018 and 2020 alongside a role as director of the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences at the university. Jenni developed forecasting tools, co-chaired international workshops, contributed to disaster policy, and even helped transform hurricane data into music – a perfect reflection of her ability to blend scientific brilliance with creativity and soul.

Jenni never forgot the excitement and challenges of being a PhD student or an early career researcher. In the sometimes-competitive world of academia, her generosity of spirit shone brightly. She invested her energy in the success of her students and colleagues, lifting others with joy and encouragement. She lived her family’s egalitarian values, freely recognising talent and nurturing potential. “If you have the fire in your belly,” she often said, “jump in, you’ll have tons of support and a fantastic time.”

As George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “the true joy and privilege in life is in being a force of nature, devoted to a mighty purpose”. Her mighty purpose was clear to all: to make the world a better place. She fulfilled it by becoming a global leader in meteorology and climate science, taking a multi-disciplinary approach that combined mathematics, computational data science, and a fierce commitment to solving real-world problems in her field. Her impact will be felt for generations.

Raised in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and attending Avila College, Jenni’s love of learning was evident from an early age. She studied applied mathematics at Monash University, graduating with honours in 1984, and later earned her PhD there in 1990. Her early research took her from Monash to CSIRO’s oceans and atmosphere division, and eventually to the United States, where she joined Pennsylvania State University in 1992 as an assistant professor in Meteorology.

Jenni was deeply respected and prolific in her work as a climate scientist. She was a force who used her skills to do much good. She poured huge energy and intellect into her teaching and research, and people admired not only her brilliance, but also her warmth and humility.

As a professor of meteorology, she’s assisted weather services globally to track tropical hurricanes and cyclones with her computation models. She influenced climate change policy including global agreements on strategies for hurricane protection for tropical nations. She continues to make an impact through her many research partners and PhD students who talk about her positive influence on them and the science they now do. It’s truly extraordinary.

Dr Jenni Evans: globally recognised climate scientist.

Jenni was the adored wife of Bruce Lord, sister-in-law to Kathy and Jerry Dittmann, loved aunt to Sarah and Zac Clark and Andy Dittmann in the US. She was the cherished daughter of Barry and Noel Evans, sister to Christina Burton and Kimberley Mestroni, sister-in-law to David Burton and Peter Mestroni and adored aunt of Tess, Ashlin, Jack, Tom, Elle and Lou Lou in Australia.

Jenni was, to all who knew her, a brilliant mind with a generous heart and a strong presence. An energetic and dynamic person, her magnetic personality attracted attention wherever she went, and her openness, curiosity and determination were on display from the very start. She was constantly on the go – contributing, helping, and actively connecting across borders and oceans with family, friends, colleagues, and students.

Jenni wore her heart on her sleeve. She was deeply loyal and loved with enormous generosity. She was passionate in her love for her parents, her sisters, her nieces and nephews, her wider family, and her friends. And she was so very deeply devoted to her soulmate and life partner, Bruce.

While Jenni lived in the US for more than 30 years, she frequently came back home to Melbourne to visit. She loved spending time with her family at the beach, cheering on the Swans, going to the MCG cricket games and eating with friends at well-reviewed restaurants. She was a keen runner and ran marathons, including the Boston marathon eight times. She found joy in her garden, delight in her dogs, and meaning in every connection she made. Her life was full – of passion, purpose, and love.

Jenni had a towering intellect with an extraordinary energy for achievement. But she was propelled by the love of her family and close friends – they were her best support and champions. Surrounded by those she loved most, Jenni passed away as she lived – with strength, warmth, and grace. Life was no brief candle for Jenni. It was a splendid torch, and she burned it as brightly as possible.

A memorial will be held in Melbourne later this year to honour Jenni’s extraordinary life. Details of this celebration will be published when available.

In the meantime, her family invites all who knew her to celebrate her memory in their own way: take a stroll through beautiful Jells Park, go to the beach and stare at the sky checking out the clouds, share fish and chips with someone you love, or cheer for the Swans. That’s how Jenni would want to be remembered – in connection, in joy, and in love.

Written by Jenni Evans’ colleagues and family, including David Burton, who was her brother-in-law. She lived and worked in the US for more than 30 years but never lost connections with home.