Climate is far too complex to be encapsulated in a single equation, and even then we would not be able to solve it analytically. In general, it must be represented in idealized forms via numerical models (i.e. computer programs). Here are few of my research interests in climate modeling:

Modelling tropical climate over the past millennium

Using an array of climate models with varying degrees of complexity, one can investigate physical mechanisms of natural climate change in the recent past. The models I use currently include:

* An ENSO model of intermediate complexity (aka "Cane-Zebiak model")
* A simplified, atmospheric general circulation model (SPEEDY)
* A comprehensive atmospheric general circulation model (CAM2) coupled to a mixed-layer ocean model (MLM)

And are run at USC's High Performance Computing Center .

I am particularly interested in the climate sensitivity to natural (solar and volcanic) forcing and what it teaches us (or not) about climate sensitivity to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.

Dynamical ocean response to geothermal heatflow

This work makes use of numerical models of the ocean (NEMO) and geochemical tracers that help constrain the patterns and intensity of the deep circulation, and its potential impact on millennial-scale climate change. See this article for more details.