 My
primary research interests are in the effect of water vapor on the
general circulation of the atmosphere. This touches on such questions
as the determination of
atmospheric
energy fluxes, the
strength
and width
of the Hadley circulation, the effect of moisture on
midlatitude
static stability,
and the dynamics of
convectively
coupled tropical waves. I am particularly interested in
and motivated by how these features may change with global warming.
As tools for my research, I utilize everything from
coupled
climate models and
cloud
resolving models to highly idealized
mathematical models (e.g, one-dimensional first baroclinic mode models
of the Walker
circulation). My most commonly used model is a
simplified
moist general circulation model developed during my graduate work at
Princeton University. This model consists of the primitive equations,
along with idealized physical parameterizations, such as gray radiative
transfer, a slab mixed layer ocean lower boundary, and simpified
treatments of moisture and convection.
In addition to the problems mentioned above, my collaborators and I have
used the simplified moist GCM to study such questions as the effect of
moisture on
midlatitude
eddy scales,
eddy
intensities and the jet stream position, the effect of a
hypohydrostatic
rescaling on the general circulation of the atmosphere, and the role of
methane
condensation on cloud formation on Saturn's moon Titan.
I am greatly interested in applying the theoretical understanding
developed from the simple and intermediate-complexity models to
paleoclimate and global warming scenarios.
Recent work
has utilized
simulations from the IPCC AR4 archive to test the usefulness
of these theories in interpreting global warming simulations.
A complete list of my publications can be found here.
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