Jay Alder

Jay Alder is a Research Associate at the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) at Oregon State University, holding a courtesy appointment. He is also a Research Physical Scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Corvallis, Oregon, where he has been employed since 2012. His work bridges academic and federal research, focusing on climate and hydrological modeling.

Education:

• PhD in Geography, Oregon State University (2011)
• MS in Geography, Oregon State University (2009)
• BS in Environmental Science, University of California, Riverside (2004)
• BS in Computer Science, University of California, Riverside (2004)

Jay Alder specializes in climate modeling across temporal scales—past, present, and future—utilizing General Circulation Models (GCMs) and Regional Climate Models (RCMs). His research emphasizes dynamical downscaling, hydroclimate analysis, and the visualization and dissemination of climate data. He is particularly interested in making climate projections usable for interdisciplinary applications, including ecosystem and water resource management. His expertise also includes data communication, mathematical modeling, and software development for scientific applications.

The available articles highlight a focus on hydrological impacts of climate change in western U.S. watersheds and paleoclimatic studies of North Pacific warming. These works reflect a consistent theme of applying climate models to real-world environmental planning and adaptation challenges, particularly for Indigenous communities and ecosystem resilience.

Scientific Contributions:

• Lead contributor to streamflow projection studies for the Tongue River, supporting Northern Cheyenne water management.
• Team member on the POP3 project, using geological records of past warming to inform future climate predictions.

Jay has been actively contributing to climate science since at least 2009. His grants and collaborative projects are primarily conducted through the USGS and involve partnerships with climate adaptation centers and water science programs. Though no formal advisees are listed, his role supports interdisciplinary science translation. He leads efforts in climate data usability, interactive mapping, and model visualization, contributing to broader scientific accessibility.

Labs and Teams:

He is affiliated with the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center at USGS and collaborates with the Climate Adaptation Science Centers and Water Resources Mission Area. At Oregon State, he works through CEOAS, particularly in climate modeling and data dissemination initiatives.