Andrew Thompson

Professor of Environmental Science & Engineering
Ph.D., Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Curriculum Vitae (last updated, summer 2022)

Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
Linde Center 224

(626) 395-8345
andrewt@caltech.edu

Mar Flexas

Senior Research Scientist
Ph.D., Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya

Linde Center 205
(626) 395-8675
marf@caltech.edu

I am a sea-going oceanographer with experience in the Antarctic and Mediterranean Seas. I use in-situ data from autonomous vehicles (seagliders), Southern Elephant seals, and more traditional instruments (research-vessel profilers and instrumented moorings) to study ocean dynamics. I am particularly interested in shelf-slope dynamics and their role in deep-ocean ventilation –-their impact on climate and on biogeochemistry processes. These processes range from meso- to submesoscales, involve surface (air-sea interactions) and bottom boundary layer dynamics, and include interactions of the flow with bottom topography. Inspired by open questions that emerge from in situ observations, I use numerical models (from realistic ocean-state-estimate analysis to process-focused modelling studies) to unveil the underlying physics that lead to those observations.

Mukund Gupta

Postdoctoral Scholar in Environmental Science & Engineering
Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Linde Center 222
(626) 395-8715
guptam@caltech.edu

My current research focuses on interactions between ocean eddies and sea-ice floes at the submesoscale, using a suite of high-resolution simulations. I am also more broadly interested in the interplay between ocean physics, biogeochemistry and sea-ice over a broad range of scales, and their collective influence on Earth's climate.

Channing Prend

NOAA Climate & Global Change Postdoctoral Fellow
Ph.D., Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Linde 222
(626) 395-8675
cprend@caltech.edu

I am broadly interested in Southern Ocean dynamics and their role in the global climate system. This involves working at the interface of multiple disciplines and utilizing a range of tools from observations to modeling. My past research has primarily investigated physical controls on primary production and air-sea carbon fluxes in the Southern Ocean. My current research is focused on submesoscale ice-ocean coupling in marginal ice zones.

Madeleine Youngs

Postdoctoral Scholar in Environmental Science & Engineering (Caltech) and Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (UCLA)
Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Linde 205
myoungs@atmos.ucla.edu

I study large-scale geophysical fluid dynamics of the ocean and climate with a focus on both fundamental and applied problems and an overarching goal to address the question: How do atmospheric and oceanic dynamics influence global climate change? My PhD thesis focused on the dynamics of the Southern Ocean under a changing climate. As a postdoc, I have expanded my interest to dynamical systems techniques for geophysical systems and applied these to the atmosphere, specifically considering how oceanic and atmospheric storm tracks, regions of enhanced large-scale turbulence, respond to and feed back on Earth's climate. In the future, I will combine the relevant physics questions with new methods and tools to improve our understanding of climate. My current project investigates ice-shelf melt feedbacks on Southern Ocean circulation in a warming climate.

Lily Dove

Graduate student in Environmental Science and Engineering
NSF Graduate Research Fellow
Linde Center 100
dove@caltech.edu

With my research, I seek to better understand and constrain the role of the ocean in the global carbon cycle. I am broadly interested in how mesoscale and submesoscale dynamics, particularly in the Southern Ocean, affect the efficiency with which carbon dioxide can be transferred from the atmosphere to the deep ocean. I approach these questions by using in situ observations from autonomous vehicles and data from satellites to study interactions between ocean physics and biogeochemistry. Outside of work, I seek to engage middle school students with the wonderful world of oceanography and climate science through outreach events in the Pasadena Unified School District and with the SOCCOM Adopt-a-Float program.

Dave Bonan

Graduate student in Environmental Science and Engineering
NSF Graduate Research Fellow
Linde Center 222
dbonan@caltech.edu

I am broadly interested in the role of the oceans in the climate system and how the circulation of the ocean will respond to and modulate climate change. My research uses a variety of models ranging from simple, conceptual models to comprehensive climate models. I am also interested in the role of sea ice in the climate system and coupled variability of the ocean-atmosphere system.

Yue (Luna) Bai

Graduate Student in Environmental Science and Engineering
NASA FINESST Graduate Research Fellow
Linde 218
ybbai@caltech.edu

Ruth Moorman

Graduate Student in Environmental Science and Engineering
John Monash Scholar
Linde Center 222
ruthmoorman@caltech.edu

I’m interested in the dynamics of the Southern Ocean and Antarctica’s marginal seas with an eye towards projecting future trends in Antarctic Ice Sheet mass loss. I study these remote oceans using a combination of observations, conceptual models, and detailed General Circulation Models.

Scott Conn

Graduate Student in Environmental Science and Engineering
NASA FINESST Graduate Research Fellow
Linde Center 218
sconn@caltech.edu

I'm interested in the ocean's large scale overturning circulation. Using idealised models, I study transient changes in the structure of the overturning and how these changes both influence and are influenced by the broader climate. I am also interested in the interaction between internal waves and ocean turbulence at meso- and submesoscales. I use observations and theory to better understand how waves affect the evolution of ocean turbulence and tracer transport in the ocean.

Skylar Gering

Schmidt Scholar in Software Engineering
Linde Center 222
sgering@caltech.edu

I am a computer scientist with an interest in scientific software engineering and its applicability to earth science research. I am excited be learning about sea ice models and oceanography more broadly through my SASE project within the OCTO Group.

Sara Taylor

Graduate Student in Environmental Science and Engineering
Linde Center 222
staylor2@caltech.edu

Ryan Eusebi

Graduate Student in Environmental Science and Engineering
Linde Center 222
reusebi@caltech.edu

Nora Oshima

Grant Manager and Administrative Assistant

Bronagh Glaser

Grant Manager and Administrative Assistant