Timothy Garrett

Timothy Garrett is a Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Utah, where he has held a continuous faculty position since July 2014. Previously, he served as an Associate Professor (2008-2014), Assistant Professor (2002-2008), and Research Assistant Professor (2001-2002) at the same institution, with several visiting professor appointments interspersed throughout his career. His academic journey includes a BS in Physics from the University of Waterloo (1992), followed by an MS (1995) and PhD (2000) in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington.

Professor Garrett's research focuses on understanding the complex dynamics of clouds and precipitation across multiple spatial and temporal scales. His work particularly examines cloud physics, snow and precipitation microphysics, atmospheric turbulence, and the relationship between economic systems and energy consumption. He has developed innovative measurement techniques, including the Differential Emissivity Imaging Disdrometer (DEID), for studying individual hydrometeors in detail. His research group seeks ways to constrain the challenging problem of understanding cloud behavior in climate systems, asking whether cloud-climate interactions are fundamentally simple or impossibly complex.

Analysis of Professor Garrett's recent publications reveals a strong focus on cloud physics, precipitation dynamics, and the intersection of atmospheric science with economics. His work demonstrates consistent innovation in both measurement techniques and theoretical frameworks, with a particular emphasis on developing constraints for cloud behavior in climate models. Notable trends include the exploration of scale invariance in cloud systems, the physics of snowflake dynamics in turbulent air, and the thermodynamic foundations of economic growth and energy consumption.

• Highlight Article in Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics (2024)
• Highlight Article in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2024)
• Physics of Fluids: Feature Article (2023)
• CELEBRATE U: A Showcase of Extraordinary Faculty Achievements: Innovator/Entrepeneur (2020)
• New Investigator Award from NASA (2005)
• Huber Fellow from Princeton University (2000)

Professor Garrett actively mentors graduate students through thesis research in both MS and PhD programs. His grant portfolio demonstrates significant research funding from multiple federal agencies including the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, NASA, and the US Army, with recent projects focused on cloud physics, precipitation measurement technologies, and the relationship between economic production and energy consumption. He leads the Garrett Group, which develops innovative approaches to studying atmospheric phenomena, and has co-founded technology companies including Particle Flux Analytics, Inc. to commercialize research outcomes. His work has important applications for weather forecasting, climate modeling, and avalanche hazard mitigation.