Research Interests
I am broadly interested in climate and
specifically the role of clouds in the climate system, and perturbations to
clouds through human-induced forcing and feedbacks. My work includes analysis
of both data and a range of different atmospheric models, mostly large scale
global General Circulation Models. My research has focused recently on cloud
microphysics, aerosols and ice phase clouds.
Past research has included extensive
studies of the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere in the tropics and
extra-tropics. Including the exchange of air
between the stratosphere and the troposphere, with a focus on water vapor. The exchange of air (and especially water
vapor) across the tropopause is of fundamental importance for predicting the
future chemistry of the stratosphere, and the future evolution and recovery of
the stratospheric ozone layer. Water vapor in this region also has important
radiative feedbacks on climate. Understanding water vapor variations and trends
has led me to expand my research to understanding cloud processes and their
role in the climate system.
Teaching Interests
My teaching focus is to use multiple
approaches to make the material accessible for different learning styles. For
example, sometimes understanding is found visually or graphically, and
sometimes numerically. From personal experience as a student and a teacher, I
have found that creating interest and understanding requires a variety of
approaches. I have found this generally works at all levels, from 2nd
grade up through undergraduate and graduate students. I also value the
development of my own written and oral communication skills inherent in
teaching.
I am very comfortable in teaching climate,
atmospheric dynamics, dynamic meteorology or atmospheric chemistry at a basic
or advanced level. Recently I led efforts to teach a
Climate Modeling Tutorial
for the NCAR
Community Atmosphere Model
and the Community Earth System Model
in 2009 and 2010. I have also taught at several summer schools, in addition to
organizing in the past a basic graduate climate course
at the University of Colorado.