James A. Carton

James A. Carton is a Professor of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science at the University of Maryland. He leads the Ocean Climate Lab, focusing on ocean dynamics, climate variability, and the role of oceans in global climate systems. His research integrates advanced computational models and satellite observations to study tropical and Arctic climate interactions, sea ice dynamics, and ocean circulation patterns.

• Department: Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science
• Affiliations: Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC), Applied Mathematics & Statistics (AMSC), Chemical Physics Program (CPP)
• Key Projects: SODA ocean reanalysis, Blended Ocean Surface Currents (BOSC), Regional Arctic Reanalysis (RARE)

Research Interests include tropical climate variability, Arctic climate change, ocean-atmosphere interactions, and techniques for reconstructing historical ocean climate. His work emphasizes using satellite data and reanalysis to understand ocean heat content, sea surface temperature, and the impacts of human activities on marine systems.

Publications span over 40 years, with recent focus on Arctic warming, mesoscale ocean processes, and the development of global surface current products. Major collaborative efforts include NOAA and NASA projects on ocean reanalysis and climate modeling.

Students and advisees include postdoctoral researchers and graduate students working on ocean dynamics, climate modeling, and satellite data applications. His work addresses critical challenges in climate science, including sea ice loss, ocean acidification, and the growing human footprint on marine systems.