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Stephen J. BurnsView profile

Professor

• Paleoclimatology
• Speleothems
• Stable Isotopes
• +7 more

Stephen J. Burns is a Professor in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, within the College of Natural Sciences. His research centers on paleoclimatology using speleothems as high-resolution archives of continental climate change. He investigates stable isotopes and trace elements to reconstruct past precipitation and monsoon dynamics, with a focus on tropical and subtropical regions such as Mexico, Madagascar, South America, and Southeast Asia. Education: Ph.D., Duke University, 1987 (Dolomite Geochemistry) M.S., University of North Carolina (Carbonate Sedimentology) B.A., Rice University Post-11 years at University of Bern, Switzerland His research focuses on understanding climate variability on orbital to decadal timescales, especially in continental regions where data are sparse. He uses speleothems—cave deposits like stalagmites—as 'underground ice cores' to extract paleoclimate signals from oxygen and carbon isotopes. His work explores climate-culture interactions, including links between climate shifts and the decline of the Mayan civilization and Madagascar's megafauna. He has led major projects in the Yucatan, Peruvian Andes, Oman, Yemen, Brazil, and Vietnam, often in collaboration with anthropologists and international climate scientists. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in tropical paleoclimatology, with emphasis on monsoon systems, interhemispheric climate dynamics, and human-environment interactions during the Holocene and Late Pleistocene. His work frequently appears in top-tier journals such as Science , PNAS , and Geophysical Research Letters , demonstrating both methodological rigor and broad scientific impact. Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the text. Stephen J. Burns actively mentors students and leads interdisciplinary research teams. He has secured sustained funding for field expeditions and laboratory analyses, though specific grants are not listed. His collaborations span departments (e.g., Anthropology at UMass) and institutions (e.g., MIT, Duke, international universities). He is currently engaged in three major speleothem-based projects: (1) climate variability in the Yucatan and its link to Mayan cultural evolution, (2) environmental history of Madagascar and megafaunal extinction, and (3) climate change in Vietnam with David McGee (MIT). These efforts are supported by advanced geochemical facilities and fieldwork logistics. Labs and Research Teams: Geochemistry and Paleoclimate Laboratory at UMass Amherst (implied through research activity) Collaborative network with stable isotope labs (e.g., Cheng/Edwards lab for U-Th dating) Field teams in tropical cave systems across multiple continents Interdisciplinary group including anthropologists and climate modelers

Zhi LiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Hydrological Modeling
• Flood Prediction
• Drought Monitoring
• +9 more

Zhi Li is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder's College of Engineering and Applied Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering. He leads the newly established Flood Lab, focusing on flood prediction and monitoring through remote sensing and coupled hydrologic-hydraulic models. Joined CU Boulder in Fall 2025 Former Dean's Postdoc Fellow at Stanford University PhD in Civil Engineering & Environmental Science from University of Oklahoma (2022) His research spans hydrological modeling , extreme events , and AI4Science applications, particularly in deep learning and intelligent agents for flood risk assessment. Li’s work also connects floods with public health and economic systems , aiming to develop the Flood-Agriculture-Climate-Economics-Disease (FACED) framework. Key Themes: High-resolution flood modeling Climate change impacts on hydro-meteorology Remote sensing integration Flood-agriculture interdependencies Global health implications Scientific Awards: Dean's Postdoc Fellow, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability (2023) Hoving Fellowship, University of Oklahoma (2019) Li’s recent publications emphasize improved precipitation estimation (IMERG V07), Brown Ocean Effect studies, and Fourier neural operators for rapid flood forecasting. His collaborative work with NOAA and NASA focuses on comparing ground-based and spaceborne radar systems for extreme event analysis.

Christoph RaibleView profile

Professor

• Processes of the Climate System
• Atmosphere-Ocean-Sea Ice Interaction
• Climate Modelling
• +5 more

Christoph Raible is a Professor at the Climate and Environmental Physics department within the Physics Institute at the University of Bern, Switzerland, a position he has held since 2011. He also maintains a strong affiliation with the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research (OCCR) at the University of Bern, where he has been a Senior Lecturer since 2011. His research focuses on atmospheric dynamics, climate modeling, and understanding past and future climate change patterns. Professor Raible's research interests encompass Processes of the Climate System, Atmosphere-Ocean-Sea Ice Interaction, Climate Modelling, Atmospheric Dynamics, Past and Future Climate Change, Predictability, Tropical and Extra Tropical Cyclones, and Climate Impacts. His work bridges theoretical climate science with practical applications, particularly in understanding extreme weather events and their implications for society. He has developed expertise in analyzing historical climate patterns to inform future projections, with particular attention to European climate systems and their global connections. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on paleoclimatology, climate modeling, and the societal impacts of climate change. His research spans from reconstructing historical climate patterns using proxy data to projecting future climate scenarios under various forcing conditions. Key themes include Mediterranean droughts, Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation variability, glacial climate dynamics, and the health impacts of climate change. His methodological approach combines advanced climate modeling techniques with statistical analysis of observational data. Professor Raible has been actively involved in numerous significant research projects including the NCCR Climate program (serving as Work Package leader), the SNF Sinergia project on solar influence on terrestrial climate, and collaborative projects with SwissRe on climate change impacts. He has also contributed to major international climate initiatives including the CH2018 Climate Scenarios for Switzerland. His teaching responsibilities include graduate-level courses on atmospheric circulation and climate modeling at the University of Bern.

• Climate variability
• Palaeoclimatology
• Hydrology
• +5 more

Dr. Danielle Verdon-Kidd is an Associate Professor in Earth Sciences at the University of Newcastle, specializing in climate variability and extreme event analysis. Her research integrates palaeoclimatology, hydrology, and climatology to understand and mitigate climate-driven risks. She has held roles in the School of Environmental and Life Sciences since 2003, after completing her PhD in Civil Surveying & Environmental Engineering and Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Eng) at the University of Newcastle. Education: PhD (Civil Surveying & Environmental Engineering), University of Newcastle Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Eng), University of Newcastle Research Interests: Her work focuses on climate extremes (droughts, bushfires, tropical cyclones), palaeoclimate reconstructions, and interdisciplinary approaches to risk assessment. She emphasizes leveraging long-term data (e.g., tree rings, coral records) to inform water management, infrastructure planning, and community resilience. Key projects include collaborations with governments and industries to develop tools like CoastAdapt for coastal risk management. Publications & Awards: Over 100+ publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles and conference contributions. Notable awards include the Women in Research Fellowship (2018) and Envisage Program mentorship (2019). Advising & Partnerships: Supervises undergraduate and graduate students, fostering the next generation of climate researchers. Collaborates with federal/state agencies (e.g., NSW Department of Planning), water authorities, and international partners (e.g., University of Melbourne, Hydro Tasmania) to bridge scientific research and practical applications. Labs & Teams: Leads projects in palaeoclimate reconstruction, stochastic modeling, and climate adaptation. Active in interdisciplinary teams addressing climate change impacts on agriculture, biodiversity, and urban planning.

Claudia I MoraView profile

Professor

• Climate Science
• Geochemistry
• Paleoclimatology
• +3 more

Claudia I Mora serves as Dean of the Jackson School of Geosciences and holds the John A. and Katherine G. Jackson Decanal Chair in the Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin. She is also a Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Prior to this role, she was Deputy Division Leader at Los Alamos National Laboratory, leading research in actinide chemistry, radiochemical science, and nuclear nonproliferation. Her academic career includes faculty positions and department head roles at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Her research focuses on stable isotope proxy systems to reconstruct climate and environmental changes using terrestrial archives like tree rings, soils, and lake sediments. Notable contributions include advancing understanding of paleoclimates through geochemical analyses and interdisciplinary studies at the intersection of geology, soil science, and dendrochronology. Mora’s leadership extends to international scientific organizations, including past presidency of the Geological Society of America and roles with the International Union of Geological Sciences. She has advised on U.S. national committees for geological and soil sciences, demonstrating her commitment to professional service.

Geeta PersadView profile

Assistant Professor

• Climate Science
• Aerosol-Climate Interactions
• Climate Modeling
• +4 more

Geeta Persad is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin. She leads the Persad Aero-Climate Lab, focusing on global climate modeling to understand aerosol impacts on climate change and societal systems. Her work examines how aerosol emissions influence regional climate variability, extreme weather events, and water resource management in the U.S. and globally. Research emphasizes aerosol radiative forcing effects on heatwaves, hydroclimate extremes, and land-atmosphere interactions. Key interests include quantifying the spatial distribution of aerosol impacts and developing climate models to support decision-making for water management and policy. Recent publications (2023-2025) highlight studies on aerosol-driven climate responses, shipping emission reductions, and regional climate model downscaling for hazard assessment. The lab collaborates on interdisciplinary projects linking climate physics to human systems, including the Regional Aerosol Model Intercomparison Project (RAMIP). Awards and grants are not explicitly listed in the provided materials. Persad advises the Persad Aero-Climate Lab team, focusing on training early-career scientists in climate modeling and policy analysis.

Yuko M OkumuraView profile

Academic

• Climate Dynamics
• Climate Variability and Change
• Large-scale Ocean-Atmosphere Interactions
• +3 more

Dr. Yuko M Okumura is a Research Associate Professor at the Institute for Geophysics within the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin. She specializes in climate dynamics, focusing on large-scale ocean-atmosphere interactions, ENSO phenomena, and paleoclimate studies. Her research synthesizes observational data and climate models to understand climate variability and teleconnections. Dr. Okumura has held positions at the University of Hawaii (Ph.D. in Meteorology, 2005), the International Pacific Research Center, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research before joining UTIG in 2011. She has received prestigious awards including the NOAA Climate and Global Change Postdoctoral Fellowship (2006-2009). Dr. Okumura's research areas include climate variability, ENSO dynamics, thermohaline circulation, and teleconnections. Notable contributions span ENSO predictability, Pacific decadal variability, and paleoclimate data assimilation. She has advised multiple Ph.D. students and served on committees for others. Her work emphasizes understanding climate mechanisms through interdisciplinary approaches. Scientific recognition includes the American Meteorological Society's Journal of Climate Editor's Award (2011) and leadership roles in conferences like the 18th Conference on Air-Sea Interaction (2012). Dr. Okumura actively contributes to climate science through editorial roles and committee participation, fostering collaboration across the field.

Kristen L. RasmussenView profile

Associate Professor

• Convective Storms
• Cloud-Climate Interactions
• Mesoscale Meteorology
• +6 more

Kristen L. Rasmussen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU), affiliated with the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. (2014) and M.S. (2011) in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington, and dual B.S. (Meteorology and Mathematics) and B.A. (Music) from the University of Miami (2007). Before joining CSU in 2016, she was an Advanced Study Program Postdoctoral Fellow at NCAR (2015–2016). Her research focuses on convective storms, cloud-climate interactions, mesoscale meteorology, and hydrometeorology. Key interests include analyzing extreme rainfall, tropical convective systems, and the impacts of climate change on storm dynamics. She leads the Rasmussen Group, which investigates topics like the NASA INCUS satellite mission, subtropical storms in South America, and climate modeling. Received awards such as the 2015 AMS Mesoscale Processes Conference Very Early Career Award and the 2011 NASA Earth System Science Graduate Fellowship. Active in field campaigns like RELAMPAGO in Argentina and PRECIP in Taiwan/Japan. Teaches courses on synoptic and mesoscale meteorology, hydrometeorology, and mountain meteorology. Her group includes researchers and students studying topics ranging from convective storm environments to stratospheric aerosol injection impacts. Ongoing projects include the INCUS mission and climate projections for extreme precipitation in the U.S. Midwest.

• Hydrology
• Geomorphology
• Tectonics
• +3 more

Josh West is a Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC), affiliated with the USC Environmental Studies Program. His research focuses on the interplay between Earth's landscapes, water resources, and the carbon cycle, particularly in mountainous regions. He explores how tectonics, climate, and erosion shape topography, influence sediment and nutrient fluxes, and impact global biogeochemical cycles. Notable areas of study include Himalayan erosion dynamics, permafrost thaw effects, and the role of landslides in carbon cycle feedbacks. West leads a research group emphasizing equity and inclusion, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. His work integrates field observations, geochemical analyses, and modeling to address questions about Earth's long-term habitability and environmental sustainability. Key contributions include studies on the 2021 Melamchi Flood, mercury mobilization in Arctic regions, and lithium isotope tracers for weathering processes.

Akshay DeorasView profile

Researcher

• Indian Monsoon
• Tropical Climate Systems
• Extratropical Cyclones
• +3 more

Dr. Akshay Deoras is a Research Scientist at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) within the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading. His research focuses on Indian monsoon dynamics, tropical climate variability, and extratropical cyclones over North India. He holds an MRes in Climate and Atmospheric Science from the University of Leeds (2017). He has been featured in prominent media outlets including The Indian Express, The Weather Channel, and BBC Marathi, providing expert commentary on extreme weather events like Cyclone Tauktae and monsoon patterns. His work includes presentations at international conferences such as the European Geosciences Union (EGU) and the American Geophysical Union (AGU), earning a Best Presentation Prize at the 2020 RMetS Conference. Academically, he advises the Atal Tinkering Lab program at Somalwar Nikalas School in Nagpur, focusing on fostering STEM skills among high school students. His research emphasizes improving subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) prediction models for monsoon low-pressure systems and exploring interactions between monsoon systems and large-scale climate phenomena like the Madden-Julian Oscillation.

• Climate Variability
• Physical Oceanography
• Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
• +7 more

Johann Jungclaus is a Senior Scientist and Group Leader in the Department of Climate Variability at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology (MPI-M), Hamburg. He leads the Director's Research Group (CVR) and has been a key contributor to the development of Earth System Models such as MPI-ESM and ICON-ESM. He has coordinated MPI-M’s contributions to CMIP6 and PMIP, and is actively involved in high-resolution climate modeling using ICON-Sapphire. PhD in Physical Oceanography, Hamburg University, 1994 Diploma in Physical Oceanography, Hamburg University, 1989 His research focuses on climate variability across decadal to centennial timescales, particularly the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV). He investigates ocean-atmosphere interactions, the effects of volcanic eruptions on climate, and near-term climate predictions. His work integrates paleoclimate modeling with modern observations and high-resolution simulations to understand long-term climate evolution. His recent publications span topics such as tropical ocean mixing, Holocene climate variability, land heat uptake, and high-resolution climate modeling. The articles reflect a strong trend toward integrating observational data with advanced Earth System Models to improve climate projections and understand past climate dynamics. Johann Jungclaus has not been listed with any formal scientific awards in the provided text. He has supervised numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, though specific names are not listed. He has been involved in significant research grants through international programs such as CMIP6, PMIP, and FAFMIP, and has contributed to major modeling initiatives funded by the Max Planck Society and international collaborations. He is part of the Director's Research Group within the Department of Climate Variability and contributes to the MPI-M’s modeling efforts, including the ICON and MPI-ESM frameworks. His work is closely tied to the institute’s focus on Earth System Modeling, paleoclimate simulations, and high-resolution climate dynamics.

Donghoon LeeView profile

Assistant Professor

• Hydroclimatology
• Water Resources Engineering
• Climate Risk Assessment
• +5 more

Dr. Donghoon Lee is an Assistant Professor and Tier-2 Canada Research Chair in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Manitoba's Price Faculty of Engineering. His research focuses on the intersection of hydroclimatology, data science, and societal impacts, particularly addressing challenges related to climate variability and its effects on water resources, agriculture, and disaster management systems across multiple sectors. Dr. Lee's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2018) M.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Ajou University (2012) B.Sc. in Civil System Engineering from Ajou University (2010) His research expertise spans hydroclimate forecasting, water resources systems, disaster risk assessment, and agricultural drought and food security. Dr. Lee applies geospatial data science, water system engineering, statistical applications, remote sensing, and numerical modeling to quantify interactions between climate, environmental, and societal factors. His work enhances understanding of both short- and long-term climate risks and develops practical solutions for climate-related challenges facing human societies. Recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on agricultural data systems, climate adaptation policy, and food security analytics, with particular attention to Africa and North American regions. His research integrates satellite data, climate modeling, and socioeconomic analysis to develop practical decision-support tools for sustainable resource management under changing climate conditions. Dr. Lee has received significant recognition through his appointment as a Tier-2 Canada Research Chair, which supports his innovative work at the hydroclimate-society interface. Dr. Lee actively mentors graduate students and is currently seeking applicants at all levels (Postdoc, PhD, MS, and Undergraduate students) to join his research group. His Hydroclimate2X Lab provides opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge research that combines computational methods with real-world climate challenges. The Hydroclimate2X Lab applies computational and statistical methods to quantify the impacts of climate variability on society. The lab's work includes forecasting extreme hydroclimate events, assessing water-energy risks, and integrating climate data with food and environmental systems to support sustainable decision-making across multiple sectors including agriculture, disaster management, and urban planning.

Derek GibsonView profile

Assistant Professor

• Hydrology
• Paleoclimatology
• Sedimentology
• +5 more

Derek Gibson serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. His research bridges hydrology and paleoclimatology through analysis of lacustrine sedimentary records to reconstruct past hydroclimate changes and assess impacts on freshwater resources. Education: B.S. in Geology, Ball State University, 2016 Ph.D. in Applied Earth Sciences, Indiana University, 2022 His work combines sedimentological, geochemical, and isotopic proxies from globally collected sediment cores to understand Holocene hydroclimate dynamics. Key projects examine Central American precipitation sensitivity during the Medieval Climate Anomaly/Little Ice Age and Midwestern U.S. climate-flood relationships, with direct implications for improving regional climate models and agricultural resilience in vulnerable regions. Publication trends (2019-2024) reveal concentrated focus on Central American drought mechanisms using Yucatán Peninsula cores and Midwestern flood history through Ohio River floodplain sediments. Methodologies emphasize multi-proxy integration (δ 18 O, grain size, accumulation rates) to resolve hydroclimate extremes at local scales. Scientific Awards: NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship (2022) for Central American paleoclimate research Dr. Gibson leads NSF-funded field campaigns collecting sediment cores across western Central America and coordinates with the LIBRE scientific drilling team. His research directly supports climate adaptation planning for rainfed agricultural regions facing intensifying hydroclimate extremes. He actively collaborates through the Lake Izabal Basin Research Endeavor (LIBRE) project and maintains field operations in Central American lake basins and Midwestern U.S. floodplains for ongoing paleoclimate reconstruction.

Elizabeth WallaceView profile

Assistant Professor

• Coastal Geology
• Paleoclimatology
• Climate Change
• +4 more

Elizabeth Wallace is an Assistant Professor of Coastal Geology and Climate Science at Old Dominion University's College of Sciences. She is affiliated with the Coastal Climate Hazards Lab and focuses on paleoclimatology, coastal geomorphology, and paleotempestology. Her work integrates sediment core analysis with climate models to study long-term coastal climate extremes like hurricanes and nor'easters, particularly their links to sea level rise and ecosystem impacts. Education: B.S. in Civil Engineering and Philosophy from University of Virginia (2015); Ph.D. in Paleoceanography from MIT/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (2020). Postdoctoral research at Rice University. Research emphasizes reconstructing historical storm activity through blue hole sediment records in the Bahamas and Caribbean, analyzing hydroclimate dynamics in the Mississippi River Basin, and developing proxy systems combining tree-ring data with coastal sediments. Her studies address climate change impacts on coastal processes and inform risk assessment strategies. Her publications span over 20 peer-reviewed articles since 2015, focusing on multi-century hurricane frequency patterns, climate variability drivers, and coastal sedimentary archives. Ongoing projects include assessing storm surge risks using integrated climatological-hydrodynamic models and refining paleohurricane reconstruction methodologies.

Jeannine-Marie St-JacquesView profile

Associate Professor

• Paleoclimatology
• Hydrology
• Climate Variability
• +5 more

Jeannine-Marie St-Jacques is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment at Concordia University, where she has been employed since 2017. Her research focuses on reconstructing historical climate patterns to understand contemporary environmental challenges. Education: MA Mathematics, University of California, Berkeley MSc Botany, University of Toronto PhD Biology (Environmental Science), Queen's University Research Focus: Dr. St-Jacques specializes in North American freshwater systems, climate variability, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction using tree-rings, pollen, and instrumental data. Her work examines decadal-to-centennial water patterns, impacts of global warming on regional hydrology, and sustainable water management strategies for extreme events. Current projects include paleo-flood reconstructions and indigenous environmental histories. Publication Trends: Her 15 most recent articles (2018-2025) demonstrate strong focus on hydrological reconstructions using dendrochronological methods, climate model validation through paleodata, and multi-proxy analyses of Holocene environmental change. Collaborative works frequently address climate impacts on river systems and long-term fire/vegetation dynamics. Student Advising: Actively supervises 7 graduate students (5 PhD, 2 MSc) researching tree-ring climatology, paleotempestology, and indigenous environmental history. Has graduated 5 MSc students since 2018. Funding & Collaborations: Research supported by NSERC grants. Collaborates with researchers across Canadian institutions (UQAR, Bishop's University, UNB) and international teams in paleoclimatology, hydrology, and climate modeling.