Joaquim Pinto

Professor Joaquim Pinto is a leading climate scientist at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), where he serves as Head of the Working Group "Regional Climate and Weather Hazards" and as Spokesperson of the collegial institute management team. He holds the prestigious AXA Research Fund Chair position at the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research - Troposphere Research (IMK-TRO).

His academic background includes a Licenciate in Geophysical Sciences - Meteorology from the University of Lisbon (1990-1996), PhD studies at the University of Cologne (1998-2002), and academic positions at the University of Cologne (2002-2016) and University of Reading (2013-2016) before joining KIT in 2016. He became a Privatdozent (lecturer) at the University of Cologne in 2011 and earned his habilitation with research on extreme European wind storms.

Professor Pinto's research focuses on mid-latitude meteorology and climatology, with special emphasis on extreme weather events, climate variability in Europe across multiple time scales, regional climate modeling and downscaling methods, and the diagnostic modeling and quantification of risks associated with extreme events affecting Europe. His work bridges fundamental climate science with practical applications for risk assessment and management.

His extensive publication record demonstrates expertise in analyzing European windstorms, heatwaves, and compound extreme events. Recent work examines the impacts of climate change on wind energy potential, extreme precipitation events, and the complex interactions between atmospheric circulation patterns and regional climate extremes. His research often employs high-resolution climate modeling, statistical-dynamical downscaling approaches, and interdisciplinary collaborations to address pressing climate challenges.

• AXA Research Fund Chair in Regional Climate and Weather Hazards

Professor Pinto teaches graduate and undergraduate courses including "Climate Modelling and Dynamics with ICON," "IPCC Assessment Report," "Climatology," "Energy Meteorology," "Methods of Data Analysis," and "Regional Climate and Weather Hazards." His teaching reflects his research expertise in climate modeling, extreme events, and regional climate change impacts.