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• Scientific Computing
• Element-Based Galerkin Methods
• Atmospheric and Oceanic Modeling
• +6 more

Welcome to my website. I am a Professor and founding member of the Scientific Computing group at the Naval Postgraduate School , with an Adjunct Professor appointment in Applied Mathematics at the University of California at Santa Cruz . My research focuses on Scientific Computing , particularly the development of continuous and discontinuous Galerkin methods for solving nonlinear partial differential equations in fluid dynamics. My group constructs numerical models for atmospheric and oceanic systems, emphasizing applications like hurricane simulations , multi-scale modeling , and GPU acceleration . We also work on projects such as NUMA (Navier-Stokes solver), xNUMA (multi-scale framework), and NUMO (ocean model). Recent trends in my publications include adaptive mesh refinement for tropical cyclones, entropy-stable formulations , GPU-accelerated atmospheric models , and dynamic LES stabilization . These works span nonhydrostatic modeling , microphysics implementation , and high-order spectral element methods applied to geophysical fluid dynamics. Emails: fxgirald@nps.edu , fgiraldo@ucsc.edu , frank.giraldo@gmail.com Students advised include Soonpil Kang, Yassine Tissaoui, Michal Kopera, Sohail Reddy, Felipe A. V. B. Alves, and others working on hurricane simulations, mesh refinement, and GPU acceleration.

• Climate Modeling
• Atmospheric Physics
• Numerical Weather Prediction
• +5 more

Monika Esch is a Researcher in the Department of Climate Physics at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology in Hamburg, Germany, where she has been employed since 1991. She works in the Wave Driven Circulations research group, focusing on climate modeling and atmospheric physics. Her career began with a Diploma in Physics from the University of Hamburg in March 1988, followed by positions as a Scientist at the MPIfM (1988-1990) and GKSS Forschungszentrum (1990-1991) before transitioning to her current role as Scientific Programmer. Esch's research interests span climate modeling, atmospheric physics, numerical weather prediction, climate dynamics, tropical cyclone simulation, Earth system modeling, climate variability, and cloud physics. Her work primarily involves developing and implementing climate models, particularly focusing on the ICON (Icosahedral Nonhydrostatic) modeling framework. She has made significant contributions to understanding how microphysical processes affect tropical condensate, the simulation of Earth System components at high resolution, and the representation of quasi-biennial oscillation in climate models. Her publication record demonstrates consistent research activity from the late 1980s through 2025, with recent work focusing on high-resolution climate modeling, Earth system interactions, and the atmospheric response to increasing CO2. Her research shows a clear evolution from early work on ice sheet modeling and tropical cyclones toward more complex Earth system modeling at increasingly higher resolutions. While no specific scientific awards are mentioned in the available information, her extensive publication record in high-impact journals and consistent involvement in major climate modeling projects suggests recognition within the climate science community. Her collaborative work extends across multiple international research teams focused on advancing climate modeling capabilities. Esch has been instrumental in the development of the ICON modeling system and its various components, contributing to both the theoretical foundations and practical implementation of these models. Her technical expertise in scientific programming has enabled significant advances in climate simulation capabilities at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology.

Bowen PanView profile

Professor

• Atmospheric Sciences
• Aerosol-Cloud Interactions
• Climate Modeling
• +3 more

Bowen Pan is a Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Colorado State University, affiliated with the Cloud Processes Group. He holds a PhD from Texas A&M University (2019), following a Master's (2015) and Bachelor's (2013) in Atmospheric Sciences from Texas A&M and Purdue University respectively. His research focuses on aerosol-cloud interactions, Saharan dust impacts on tropical cyclones, and aerosol effects on lightning, leveraging advanced climate models like CESM and WRF. Key research contributions include groundbreaking studies on Saharan dust's role in suppressing Atlantic hurricane formation and intensification, as well as anthropogenic aerosol influences on extreme weather events like Hurricane Harvey. His work bridges field observations (e.g., RACORO campaign) with numerical simulations to elucidate aerosol-climate feedback mechanisms. Awards: NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (2016-2019), Best Student Paper Award (2018) Teaching: Graduate Teaching Assistant for Atmospheric Chemistry and Weather/Climate labs (2015-2018) Outreach: Led chemistry outreach programs, congressional advocacy, and media appearances explaining aerosol-climate links His advisory work includes mentoring Claire Onak (REU 2019) and collaborative grants on aerosol dynamics. Current research explores aerosol effects on lightning physics and future climate projections under changing dust regimes. Active in interdisciplinary teams addressing global environmental challenges through advanced modeling frameworks.

Christopher NowotarskiView profile

Associate Professor

• Severe Convective Storms
• Tornado Dynamics
• Boundary Layer Meteorology
• +9 more

Dr. Christopher Nowotarski is an Associate Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M University . He joined the university in 2014 following his PhD, MS, and BS studies in Meteorology at Pennsylvania State University. His research focuses on improving the prediction of severe convective storms and their hazards, particularly tornadoes associated with supercells and tropical cyclones. Key tools include idealized cloud-resolving simulations and analysis of field experiment data (e.g., TRACER, DCOTSS, VORTEX-SE). Dr. Nowotarski’s educational background includes: Ph.D. Meteorology, Pennsylvania State University M.S. Meteorology, Pennsylvania State University B.S. Meteorology, Pennsylvania State University His research group investigates supercell dynamics , tropical cyclone tornadoes , boundary layer interactions , and machine learning applications . Current projects include DOE-funded TRACER studies on aerosol impacts in Houston and collaborative NSF work on overshooting tops in DCOTSS. Past work explored Southeast US tornado environments, permafrost effects on Arctic meteorology, and data assimilation techniques using the ADRAD radar. Students advised include David Topping, Seth Thompson, and others listed in detail. Key collaborative partnerships span the College of Geosciences , College of Engineering , and College of Architecture at TAMU, as well as external institutions like NCAR, Penn State, and OU. He has organized sounding programs in data-sparse regions and developed VR visualization tools for weather data. Teaching responsibilities include courses such as Radar Meteorology , Severe Weather and Mesoscale Forecasting , and Convective Storms Field Studies . His work emphasizes bridging research and operational forecasting, with contributions to improving model analyses of tropical cyclones and evening transition dynamics.

Ana BarrosView profile

Professor

• Hydrology
• Hydrometeorology
• Environmental Physics
• +5 more

Professor Ana Barros is a Professor of Earth & Climate Sciences at Duke University, where she has been since 2004. She holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Washington (1993), with earlier degrees from the University of O’Porto and Oregon Institute of Technology. Her research focuses on hydrology, hydrometeorology, and environmental physics, emphasizing water-cycle processes in complex terrains and remote sensing of precipitation. She has pioneered studies on orographic precipitation dynamics, climate predictability, and land-atmosphere interactions in regions like the Himalayas and Southern Appalachians. Her professional roles include serving on NASA, NOAA, and NSF committees, as well as editorial leadership at journals like Journal of Hydrometeorology . Awards include the NASA Goddard Award (2014) and Fellowships from AMS and AGU. Prof. Barros has secured grants totaling millions for projects such as the Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment (IPHEx) and studies on aerosol-cloud interactions. Her lab developed the Duke Coupled Hydrology Model (DCHM), a tool for integrated hydrologic prediction. Notable research contributions include advancing satellite precipitation estimation in mountainous regions and analyzing the impact of tropical cyclones on regional water cycles. She actively mentors students, with many advancing to graduate studies in STEM fields.

Judson W PartinView profile

Academic

• Paleoclimatology
• Climate Modeling
• Tropical Hydroclimate
• +3 more

Judson W Partin is a Research Associate Professor at the Institute for Geophysics within the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on understanding how external and internal climate forcings drive changes in Earth's climate, with an emphasis on reconstructing hydroclimate variability using paleoclimate archives such as speleothems, corals, and foraminifera. He quantifies uncertainties in climate reconstructions and compares these with climate model outputs to better project future climate trends. Education: Ph.D., Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology M.A., Physical Chemistry, University of Southern California B.S., Chemistry, The Citadel Research Interests: Dr. Partin investigates tropical climate dynamics, ENSO variability, and abrupt climate shifts. He develops methods to improve proxy data interpretation and integrates paleoclimate records with climate models to assess historical and future climate patterns. His work addresses critical questions about the sensitivity of the hydrological cycle to temperature changes and the role of natural climate variability in shaping modern climate trends. Key Research Projects: Abrupt Climate Change mechanisms Tropical Hydroclimate Changes in the Indo-Pacific region Reconstructions of Past ENSO Variability Advising & Grants: While specific student names are not listed, Dr. Partin actively engages in mentoring postdoctoral researchers and graduate students in climate science. His work is supported by grants focused on paleoclimate data synthesis and model comparison initiatives like the Iso2k database. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) and international partners to advance climate reconstruction methodologies and global climate model validation.

Michael M. BellView profile

Professor

• Tropical Meteorology
• Radar Meteorology
• Mesoscale Meteorology
• +4 more

Michael M. Bell is a Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU), affiliated with the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering. He joined the CSU faculty in 2016 after roles as Assistant Professor at the University of Hawaii and Research Assistant Professor at the Naval Postgraduate School. His research focuses on tropical, mesoscale, and radar meteorology, particularly tropical cyclone structure and intensification. He leads the TC-RAMS team, advancing extreme weather prediction and software tools. Education: Ph.D. Meteorology, Naval Postgraduate School (2010) M.S. Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University (2006) B.S. Applied Mathematics & Minor in Meteorology, Metropolitan State College of Denver (2001) B.A. Religion, University of Florida (1996) Research Interests: Bell studies tropical cyclone lifecycle dynamics, mesoscale processes, radar analysis techniques, and open-source software development. His work uses aircraft and radar observations alongside high-resolution models to improve forecasting accuracy. Awards: PECASE (2017) NSF CAREER Award (2014) ONR Young Investigator Award (2015) Herbert Riehl Memorial Award (2006) Team & Labs: As TC-RAMS team lead, Bell oversees projects like the SEA-POL radar deployment in Steamboat Springs (2024-2025) and the PICCOLO field campaign. His group collaborates on NOAA, NSF, and ONR-funded initiatives to advance weather radar technology and tropical cyclone understanding.

• Atmospheric Convection
• Numerical Weather Prediction
• Stochastic Parameterization
• +3 more

Bob Plant is a Professor in the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading. His research focuses on atmospheric convection, numerical weather prediction, and stochastic parameterization. He has contributed extensively to understanding mesoscale processes, boundary layer dynamics, and cyclone dynamics. His work includes advancing convection parameterization schemes, such as the Plant-Craig stochastic method, and improving ensemble forecasting systems like MOGREPS-R. Key research areas include energy cycle analysis in convection, interactions between shallow and deep convection, and the application of machine learning in climate modeling. He has co-authored over 113 publications, including peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and edited volumes on parameterization theory and applications. Plant’s contributions span both theoretical and applied meteorology, with a focus on enhancing model accuracy and reducing uncertainties in weather and climate predictions. His work has been recognized through collaborations with institutions globally and his editorial roles in major meteorological publications.

Gary LackmannView profile

Professor

• Synoptic Meteorology
• Climate Change Impacts
• Numerical Weather Modeling
• +5 more

Dr. Gary Lackmann is a Professor and Head at North Carolina State University, specializing in synoptic meteorology and numerical modeling of high-impact weather systems. He has held prior roles at the US Naval Postgraduate School, NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, and private-sector consulting. His research focuses on tropical/extratropical cyclones, convective storms, and climate change impacts on weather dynamics. He teaches at both undergraduate and graduate levels, emphasizing storm dynamics and model development. Education: PhD in Atmospheric Science from SUNY Albany (1995), MS and BS in Atmospheric Science from University of Washington (1989, 1986). Research Interests: Dynamics and prediction of high-impact weather, including cold-air damming and diabatic processes’ role in storm behavior. His group explores how warming alters storm dynamics, with recent work highlighted in Nature Climate Change . Key themes include thermodynamic contributions to precipitation changes in TCs and atmospheric river predictability. Articles collectively address climate change’s role in intensifying extreme weather, improving numerical models, and understanding TC landfall impacts. His work bridges theory, observation, and high-resolution modeling to advance forecast accuracy and climate adaptation strategies. Lackmann’s research group emphasizes skill development for students, preparing them for roles in academia and industry. Notable collaborations include studies on Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic inland impacts and future flood risks from tropical cyclones.

Hanii TakahashiView profile

Researcher

• Convective Dynamics
• Deep Convective Clouds
• Warm Rain Formation Processes
• +4 more

Dr. Hanii Takahashi is a Research Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (2022–present) with a focus on tropical convective dynamics, cloud microphysics, and satellite remote sensing. She holds a Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Science from the City University of New York (2013) and has been affiliated with institutions including the University of California, Los Angeles, and Caltech. Education: Ph.D. Earth and Environmental Science, City University of New York (2013) M.S. Mathematics, New York University (2009) B.S. Mathematics, Purdue University (2007) B.S. Physics, Chuo University, Japan (2004) Her research centers on tropical deep convective clouds, warm rain formation in climate models, and satellite data collocation (e.g., A-Train, CloudSat, ISCCP). Key projects include NASA’s INCUS and JIFRESSE. Her recent publications in Geophysical Research Letters and Journal of Climate address ENSO dynamics, hemispheric asymmetry in warm-frontal ice water paths, and energetic evolution of convective systems. Awards: JPL Voyager Award (2025) JPL 2015 Postdoc Day Best Poster, Earth Science Dr. Takahashi contributes to the development of model diagnostic tools for convective processes and collaborates on multi-satellite data analysis for climate modeling and observational studies.

Peter ClarkView profile

Professor

• Convective-scale Numerical Weather Prediction
• Hectometric Modeling
• Mesoscale Meteorology
• +6 more

Prof. Peter Clark is a Professor of Meteorology at the University of Reading's Department of Meteorology and an Honorary Met Office Research Fellow. His research focuses on convective-scale numerical weather prediction, mesoscale meteorology, atmospheric turbulence, and urban surface exchange. He leads and co-investigates projects such as the ParaCon and Circle-A initiatives, aiming to improve models of atmospheric processes across scales. Research Interests: Convective-scale and hectometric Numerical Weather Prediction Convection and turbulence dynamics in grey zones Mesoscale structure of extratropical cyclones Sting jet dynamics in windstorms Urban meteorology and surface exchange modeling Key Projects: PI of the Circle-A Project CoI of Hi-Fi turbulence closure project Lead on urban surface exchange and sting jet climatology studies Advising & Collaboration: Supervised over 20 PhD/postdoc researchers since 2003 Collaborates with Met Office and international institutions Lead on major projects like COPE and DYMECS

Christopher E. HollowayView profile

Professor

• Atmospheric convection
• Tropical weather
• Tropical climate
• +7 more

Christopher E. Holloway is a Professor in the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading, where he serves as MSc Programme Director for Postgraduate Taught Programmes. His work focuses on atmospheric convection, tropical weather, and climate dynamics, with particular emphasis on the interactions between convection and larger-scale atmospheric fields. Holloway's research interests center on the organization of convection, including convective self-aggregation and its role in observed organized convection phenomena. He investigates interactions involving the vertical structure of temperature and moisture at various spatial scales, with applications to the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and tropical cyclones. His work spans both theoretical and applied meteorology, with strong connections to climate modeling and prediction. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on tropical meteorology, cloud physics, and climate dynamics. The research demonstrates consistent themes in understanding convective organization, cloud-radiation interactions, and the representation of convection in models. There's a clear progression from fundamental cloud processes to regional climate impacts, with increasing emphasis on high-impact weather events and their predictability. Holloway leads multiple significant research projects including UPFLO (a 5-year AFESP project), serves as Co-I on FORWARDS (a WCSSP SE Asia project), and is Reading PI on CIRCULATES (a NERC project within the CloudSense programme). He also serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences. His research group includes several postdoctoral researchers and PhD students working on diverse aspects of convection, tropical meteorology, and climate modeling. Current projects examine convective updrafts, anvil clouds, high-resolution forecasts of high-impact weather in Southeast Asia, and cloud feedbacks on climate sensitivity.

Jeffrey BasaraView profile

Professor

• Weather and Climate Extremes
• Hydrometeorology
• Hydroclimatology
• +4 more

Jeffrey Basara is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell). He holds a Ph.D. in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma (2001), an M.S. in Meteorology (1998), and a B.S. in Atmospheric Science from Purdue University (1994). His research focuses on weather and climate extremes, hydrometeorology, and hydroclimatology, with an emphasis on precipitation extremes—including droughts, flash droughts, flash floods, and heatwaves—and their impacts across scales. Basara has received numerous awards, including the Kavli Fellowship (2014), USDA REE Under Secretary’s Award (2019), and multiple teaching and research accolades from the University of Oklahoma. He is actively involved in interdisciplinary collaborations and serves on the advisory panel for the COMET program, which trains operational forecasters globally. His research spans urban-atmosphere interactions, boundary layer dynamics, and the application of remote sensing in hydroclimatic studies. Notable projects include analyzing flash drought mechanisms, tropical storm re-intensification post-landfall, and the role of sea surface temperatures in pluvial events. His work bridges atmospheric processes and societal impacts, particularly in agriculture and disaster resilience. Key Roles: Chair of EEAS Department, UMass Lowell Education: Ph.D. Meteorology (University of Oklahoma, 2001); M.S. Meteorology (1998); B.S. Atmospheric Science (Purdue University, 1994) Awards: Kavli Fellow, USDA Honors, Teaching Excellence

Caroline MullerView profile

Professor

• Atmospheric Science
• Climate Science
• Meteorology
• +3 more

Caroline Muller is a Professor at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), leading a research group focused on atmospheric dynamics, moist convection, and climate science. She has extensive teaching experience, including courses on meteorology, linear algebra, and cloud dynamics at institutions like ENS Paris and NYU. Her research group investigates mesoscale convective systems, tropical climate processes, and the impacts of climate change on precipitation patterns. Notable projects include studies on convective self-aggregation, tropical cyclones, and the interplay between radiative cooling and convection. Affiliations: IST Austria, ENS Paris, NYU Research Themes: Moist convection, tropical meteorology, climate modeling, and atmospheric dynamics Recent work explores how organizational features of convective systems influence extreme precipitation and climate projections. Her group has advised over 30 students and postdocs, many of whom have gone on to prestigious academic or professional roles. Collaborative projects include analyses of water isotopic composition in tropical cyclones and contributions to initiatives like the EUREC4A field campaign. Key Collaborations: CFMIP, IIASA, Columbia University Teaching spans undergraduate and graduate levels, emphasizing foundational mathematics and applied meteorology. Current research integrates causal representation learning with climate dynamics to improve predictive models.

Vinay KumarView profile

Assistant Professor

• Atmospheric Science
• Climate Modeling
• Monsoon Systems
• +4 more

Dr. Vinay Kumar is an Assistant Professor of Meteorology at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio, TX, where he teaches courses such as Meteorology, Meteorological Instrumentation, and Physical Geography and Meteorology. His academic journey began with a B.S. in Physics-Chemistry-Mathematics from Rohilkhand University (1995), followed by an M.S. in Physics (1997) from the Indian Institute of Technology, an M.Tech in Atmospheric Physics (2000), and a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science (2008) from Pune University, India. Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science (Pune University, 2008) M.Tech in Atmospheric Physics (Pune University, 2000) M.S. in Physics (Indian Institute of Technology, 1997) B.S. in Physics-Chemistry-Mathematics (Rohilkhand University, 1995) Dr. Kumar's research focuses on extreme weather events, monsoon systems, droughts, and tropical cyclones. His work explores climate modeling, pollution dynamics during lockdowns, and the impacts of changing crop patterns on water resources. Recent publications in journals like Climate , Atmosphere , and Remote Sensing highlight his expertise in atmospheric science and climate change. His 15 most recent articles (2019–2023) address topics such as fog dynamics in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, monsoon rainfall trends, and the radiative impacts of aerosols. These works span subfields including climate resilience, disaster management, and computational modeling. Dr. Kumar is committed to community service and mentoring students to tackle global challenges through collaboration.