Land-atmosphere interactions: I use numerical models to study land-atmosphere interactions. I am particularly interested in studying the impacts of spatial and temporal heterogeneity in landcover on the atmosphere over large-eddy to regional scales. In this context, I investigate idealized problems as well as realistic scenarios with policy implications.
Tropical deforestation:A significant part of my research deals with tropical deforestation, especially that in Amazonia. Currently, I am working on 2 projects dealing with local precipitation recycling, fire susceptibility and vegetation recovery in deforested landscapes. I have just started a new project with a student to estimate the monetary value of tropical forests owned by indigenous people.
Wind power meteorology:A major focus of my current research is how wind farms interact with atmospheric flow. My 2004 paper on impact of wind farms on regional hydrometeorology was the first to investigate this problem. I have developed a subgrid parameterization to represent wind turbine rotors in a mesoscale model. I use this model to study impacts of wind farms on near-surface hydrometeorology and also siting solution to minimize these impacts. Currently I am also developing algorithms for very accurate and computationally efficient short-term predictions of wind speeds for wind power applications for onshore and offshore sites.
Mesoscale Vegetation-atmosphere Feedbacks, NSF
Phytoremediation of dry Aral Sea bed, IALC
| The Guardian | |
| BBC | German Public Radio |
| Joe Graham, President, BlueSkyWind | NASA press release |
| Nature Editorial | New York Times |
| New Scientist | PBS Newshour |
| Scientific American | Science |