My research interests involve evaluating extreme events, such as temperature and precipitation extremes as well as strong Arctic cyclones, in the context of a changing Arctic climate system. I am also interested in how these extreme events impact and are impacted by a changing Arctic, including impacts on communities and ecosystems within the Arctic. The tools I use for this analysis include data from regional and global climate models as well as self-organizing maps, which are used to evaluate the climatology produced in that model output and place the extreme events in the context of this climatology. Since in the ATOC department I am an Instructor Professor, I try to share elements of the research I do when appropriate in my teaching.
ATOC 1050 - Weather and the Atmosphere
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024
Introduces principles of modern meteorology for nonscience majors, with emphasis on scientific and human issues associated with severe weather events. Includes description, methods of prediction, and impacts of blizzards, hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, floods, and firestorms.
ATOC 1060 - Our Changing Environment: El Nino, Ozone, and Climate
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2023 / Fall 2023
Discusses the Earth's climate for nonscience majors, focusing on the role of the atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere and land surface. Describes the water cycle, atmospheric circulations and ocean currents, and how they influence global climate, El Nino and the ozone hole. Discusses human impacts from climate change. Recommended prerequisite: ATOC 1050. Degree credit not granted for this course and GEOL 1060.
ATOC 2050 - Introduction to Atmospheric Research
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2024
Uses real world data to investigate the basic physical processes that drive the coupled atmosphere-ocean system (e.g., energy distribution, phase changes, stability, winds and currents). Students will apply logic to predict how processes are impacted as different environmental characteristics change and develop skills in graphical literacy, investigative thinking, societal and personal relevancy, and communication.
