Marilyn Raphael

Dr. Marilyn Raphael is a Professor of Geography and Director of the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (IoES). She has held leadership roles, including chair of the UCLA Department of Geography (2010–2013) and is an elected member of the American Philosophical Society. Her research focuses on atmospheric circulation dynamics and global climate change, particularly Antarctic sea ice and Southern Hemisphere climate interactions.

Her work emphasizes improving global climate models to simulate Southern Hemisphere sea ice and atmosphere dynamics. Notable contributions include studies on Antarctic sea ice thickness, Antarctic climate variability, and the influence of large-scale atmospheric patterns like the Amundsen Sea Low. She has been recognized for her contributions, including inclusion in the Royal Society’s Women in Science List (2017) and SCAR’s Women in Antarctic Science.

Recent research highlights include analyses of structural shifts in Antarctic sea ice systems, seasonal sea ice variability since 1905, and the role of zonal wave patterns in Antarctic climate. Her studies frequently integrate observational data with climate models to address critical questions in polar environmental science.

• Awards: American Philosophical Society Membership, Royal Society Women in Science (2017), SCAR Women in Antarctic Science.
• Key Projects: Sea ice modeling in CMIP6, Antarctic climate dynamics, and Southern Ocean-atmosphere interactions.