I am an oceanographer and climate dynamicist by training. While my core research aims at explaining the mechanisms controlling large-scale and regional-scale ocean and atmosphere variability and climate change, I have developed strong interdisciplinary research that focuses on understanding the regional impacts of climate on coastal ocean environments and marine ecosystems, and more recently on ocean-climate solutions. There are four major areas that best characterize my work goals and contributions:
(1) Large-scale dynamics of ocean and climate variability & change
(2) Ocean-climate solutions and innovations
(3) Coastal ocean & climate forward and inverse modeling
(4) Ocean climate & marine ecosystems
I pursue these research directions by combining existing observations with advanced numerical, statistical, and inverse models of the ocean and atmosphere, and when necessary, of the ecosystem and social dynamics.
In addition to these research areas, I am actively involved in program development on several fronts. Below are some current and past examples:
United Nations Ocean Decade Collaborative Center & Programme “Global Ecosystem for Ocean Solutions” (2021-present). As part of my mission to advance ocean solutions, I led the development of the Global Ecosystem for Ocean Solutions UN Ocean Decade Programme to establish a vibrant, global ocean solutions community of researchers, innovators, investors, decision-makers, and other stakeholders to co-design and co-deploy equitable, durable, and scalable ocean-based solutions to the ocean and climate crisis. The program is hosted under the Ocean Visions together with international implementing partners. Building on the GEOS Programme, I have recently co-founded one of the UN Ocean Decade Collaborative Centers for Ocean-Climate Solutions that launched in June 2022 and is located in Atlanta at the Georgia Aquarium as a joint venture between Georgia Tech, Georgia Aquarium, and Ocean Visions. More information at www.oceansolutions.org
Ocean Visions Initiative (2017-present). I have led the establishment of an initiative to transform science and engineering research into ocean solutions. Ocean Visions was formally founded in 2019 by a multi-institutional agreement of premier research institutions that include Georgia Tech, Stanford, MIT, Smithsonian, Scripps, WHOI, MBARI, UGA, as well as impact partners such as Georgia Aquarium, Monterey Bay Aquarium, American Geophysical Union, and others. More information at www.oceanvisions.org
Program in Ocean Science and Engineering (OSE) (2014-present). I have led the establishment and development of the new OSE program at Georgia Tech. The program launched in November 2016 and is based on a partnership between the colleges of Science and Engineering at Georgia Tech, with participation of several academic units (e.g. schools) across campus. The program has 45 affiliated faculty and enrolled >30 Ph.D. students since 2017. More information at www.ocean.gatech.edu
Leadership in international science organizations (2011-present). Over the past 10 years I have assumed several leadership roles in various national and international science organizations. Of note is my work in the international North Pacific Marine Science Intergovernmental Organization (PICES), where I have contributed to developing and implementing the science roadmap of the organization, and leading several synergistic research activities across countries on the Pacific-rim. The PICES member-countries include USA, Canada, China, South Korea, Russia and Japan. I have recently completed serving as vice-chairmen for the PICES Science Board. More information at www.pices.int.
