معرفی
Kay McMonigal is an Assistant Professor in Physical Oceanography at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. Their research focuses on ocean-climate interactions, particularly how ocean currents redistribute heat and freshwater in response to climate change. McMonigal combines observational data (e.g., from the Agulhas System Climate Array) with climate models to improve projections of global and Arctic climate change impacts.
Education:
- Ph.D. Meteorology and Physical Oceanography, University of Miami Rosenstiel School (2020)
- B.A. Math and Earth and Planetary Sciences, Northwestern University (2015)
Research Interests:
- Wind-driven ocean circulation changes
- Indian Ocean dynamics and heat transport
- Climate model evaluation
- Improving DEI in oceanography, especially for transgender/gender-diverse scientists at sea
Recent Research Trends: Recent work emphasizes wind-driven circulation's role in amplifying global warming (17% increase since 1979) and its impact on regional patterns like the North Atlantic Warming Hole. Studies also address methodological improvements in combining observational datasets and model hierarchies.
Awards:
- Mary Roche Scholarship (2019)
- Seymour Schlanger Award (2015)
- Academic All-Big Ten (2012)
Advising & Grants:
- Advises PhD student Jaclyn Beight (Bering Strait transport) and master's student Ava Meier (nitrate fluxes in Gulf of Alaska)
- NSF Award #2409411 (EMBRACE-OCE-Seed project analyzing Agulhas Current trends)
Labs/Teams: Leads the McMonigal research group focusing on ocean-climate interactions and DEI initiatives. Collaborates with the Agulhas Group (led by Prof. Lisa Beal) and conducted fieldwork on Agulhas Current cruises (2016, 2018).
