Group
Group photo (Summer 2024). From left: Earle Wilson, Zack Kaufman, Yuchen Li, Lemona Niu, Niall Coffey, Lexi Arlen, Allie Skalnik, and JeongHyun Kim
Current Group Members
Earle Wilson
Assistant Professor in Earth System Science (CV)
I am an oceanographer interested in ocean and climate dynamics. Much of my work focuses on the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic margins, which play an outsized role in global sea level rise, ocean heat uptake, and carbon sequestration. I seek to further our fundamental understanding of the local ocean overturning circulation, sea ice dynamics, glacier-ocean interactions, and climate variability. I use a wide variety of tools and techniques to tackle these problems, ranging from deploying in situ observations (e.g., Argo floats and wave buoys) to designing idealized ocean simulations and applying novel statistical techniques to Earth system model output. I joined the ESS department at Stanford in the summer of 2022 and have courtesy appointments in the Oceans Department and Geophysics Department.
Lexi Arlen
PhD student in Earth System Science
I joined the Wilson Lab as a PhD student in 2022. Using discrete element modeling and remote sensing observations, I research sea ice dynamics in the seasonal ice zone focusing on fracture processes and floe-scale dynamics. I also did fieldwork in the Chukchi Sea where I observed wave propagation in the ice pack. When not working, you can find me exploring outside on foot, skis, or a bike!
Zack Kaufman
Postdoctoral Scholar
I joined the Wilson group as a postdoctoral scholar in February 2023, where my research focuses on present & future climate change signals in the Southern Ocean. I am broadly interested in applying statistical techniques to quantify large-scale atmosphere-ocean variability, as well as to compare Earth system model output with observations.
Lemona Yingzhuo Niu
PhD student in Earth System Science
I am motivated to study a suite of ocean mixing processes that modulate phytoplankton blooms, from boundary layer wave-driven mixing in the Southern Ocean to dynamics above deep hydrothermal vents at the Australian-Antarctic Ridge. My research uses numerical models to interpret ship-based and remotely sensed observation. I enjoy the versatile lifestyle of a scientist but also simple joy in life like running in nature and hanging out with friends.
JeongHyun Kim
PhD student in Earth System Science
Niall Coffey
PhD Student in Geophysics (second project)
I’m interested in understanding physical processes in polar regions with global significance for humans and climate, such as the mechanisms and consequences of ice mass loss. Much of my PhD work with Professor Ching-Yao Lai focuses on developing simple equations for ice fracture mechanics based on conservation laws. In my second project, we are using idealized numerical models to explore subpolar gyre dynamics, with an eye on poleward heat transport.
Yuchen Li
Undergraduate researcher
I'm a third-year undergrad student majoring in physics and minoring in math. Currently, I'm working on interpretable deep learning methods in Earth system prediction—in particular, seasonal prediction of Antarctic sea ice.
Chloe Yu-Ning Cheng
Undergraduate researcher
Allie Skalnik
Undergraduate researcher
I study recent extremes in sea ice extent in the Weddell Sea, including the impacts of thermodynamics, storm events, and ice fracturing on the melt season. I'm also interested in how Antarctic sea ice changes impact the Southern Ocean ecosystem. Outside of research, I am passionate about science communication, reading excellent books, and finding the best sticks the great outdoors has to offer.