Research Interests
Climate Variability & Change
Internal climate variability (e.g., ENSO) can significantly alter the distribution of rainfall and temperature globally, leading to major socioeconomic impacts. My research uses coupled models and observations to understand internal climate variability on seasonal-decadal timescales, with a particular focus on air-sea interactions. By assessing the interplay between internal climate variability and anthropogenic climate change, I hope to improve our interpretation of observations and future climate simulations.
Extratropical-Tropical Interactions
A major question in climate science is how the global ocean-atmosphere coupled system adjusts to extratropical climate forcing, such as Arctic sea ice loss or anthropogenic aerosols. My research investigates the physical pathways by which extratropical climate perturbations are communicated to the deep tropics, leading to changes in the distribution of tropical rainfall (i.e., the ITCZ) and in regional coupled climate modes (e.g., ENSO and the Pacific/Atlantic Meridional Modes).
Climate/Weather Extremes
Ocean temperature extremes, known as Marine Heatwaves (MHWs), can produce devastating impacts for regional marine wildlife and fisheries. My research focuses on the dynamics that drive MHWs in present and future climates, with a particular focus on the Northeast Pacific. Additionally, I’m interested in studying the Influence of SST and coupled climate modes on the intensity and distribution of landfalling Atmospheric Rivers (ARs) along the US West Coast.