Flexible, Interdisciplinary Computing for Understanding the Atmosphere

The atmosphere is molecules in motion. Perhaps more importantly, the atmosphere is more than 10⁴⁴ molecules in motion! Some of these molecules are typically considered inert. Some are potent greenhouse gases. Some are highly reactive, taking part in complex, nonlinear chemical reactions in the gas phase, in suspended droplets, and on surfaces. Some of these molecules readily exchange with the Earth's surface - to and from plants, soil, buildings, the ocean, and our lungs. You likely recognize why these numbers, and why this complexity, would pose a great challenge for numerical modellers. 

Humans directly emit vast quantities of chemicals into the atmosphere every year, perturbing air quality, global nutrient cycling, and the Earth's climate. These emissions pose an enormous global challenge that chemists are well suited to respond to. Modern tools to understand the composition and interaction of these >10⁴⁴ molecules are a combination of measurements and models, each with its own uncertainties. We aim to reduce these uncertainties by applying modern data science, chemical insights, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The FICUS* Lab is recruiting for two main projects right now (machine learning with applications for air quality and climate simulation and actual measurements of turbulence and greenhouse gases in Claremont). See details here: https://www.ficus.space/research

*Flexible, Interdisciplinary Computing(Chemistry) for Understanding the atmoSphere(bioSphere)

Application: Write a few sentences about…

• What interests you in this kind of work? 
• What skills or past experiences will make you ready to start this project?
• What new skills or knowledge do you hope to gain in the group over the summer?