Maria Rugenstein

Maria Rugenstein is an Assistant Professor of Climate Dynamics at Colorado State University's Department of Atmospheric Science within the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Climate Science (2017), M.S. in Atmospheric and Climate Science (2011), and B.S. in Environmental Science (2010), all from ETH Zurich. Her research focuses on ocean-atmosphere interactions across timescales, using models and observations to study climate sensitivity and radiative feedbacks.

Research sponsors include NOAA, NASA, NSF, EU Horizon 2020, and the Humboldt Foundation. Notable awards include the 2025 AMS Early Career Award and 2024 EGU Early Career Scientist Award.

Her research group includes 6 current students and postdocs, plus 9 former members. Key publications address climate model biases, pattern effects on climate sensitivity, and Southern Ocean dynamics. She leads the Green's Function Model Intercomparison Project and coordinates LongRunMIP.