Leif Thomas

Leif Thomas is a Professor of Earth System Science at Stanford University, with courtesy appointments in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Geophysics, and Oceans. He is affiliated with the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and leads a research group focused on physical oceanography and climate dynamics.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography, University of Washington (2003)
• B.S. in Physics, College of Creative Studies, University of California at Santa Barbara (1997)

Research Interests:

Professor Thomas's research centers on understanding the physics of ocean circulation, with particular emphasis on highly energetic, time-variable flows in the upper ocean such as fronts and eddies. His work explores how these processes facilitate the exchange of heat, salt, nutrients, and dissolved gases between the ocean surface and interior, playing crucial roles in Earth's climate system and oceanic carbon sequestration. His research approach combines theoretical analysis, numerical modeling, and field observations to improve the oceanic components of climate models.

Research Themes:

• Dynamics of submesoscale ocean processes
• Near-inertial wave propagation and interactions
• Frontal dynamics and symmetric instability
• Ocean mixing and energy transfer across scales
• Climate-relevant ocean processes

Recent Research Trends:

Professor Thomas's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on near-inertial wave dynamics and their interactions with ocean vortices and fronts. His work has revealed new phenomena related to wave refraction by vorticity filaments, wave-induced mixing in various ocean regions, and the role of tropical storms in generating near-inertial waves. Additionally, his research explores biogeochemical implications such as iron transport pathways supporting phytoplankton blooms in the Antarctic.

Research Group:

Professor Thomas actively mentors a diverse group of researchers including postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates. His current group includes postdocs Jinliang Liu and Cauê Zirnberger Lazaneo, graduate students Jamie Hilditch, Amanda Vanegas Ledesma, and Michael Dalsin, and undergraduate researcher Jaime Yu. His alumni have gone on to prestigious positions at institutions including Shanghai Jiao Tong University, UCLA, and NASA Ames Research Center.