Dr.Hannah Beadling's main concentrations are in climate science but primarily in the ocean (oceanography). She described the ocean as a primary piece of the climate system but she is working to figure out how ice contributes to the changes earth experiences. By evaluating climate models of ocean processes, Dr.Beadling is able to figure out how we can reduce our overall uncertainty of climate change by using better analysis and models which allows better estimates of its projection. Her interest in the ocean stems from when there's increase in GHGs that means we experience a global imbalance, because most of the energy that lead to that imbalance goes into the ocean, since the ocean takes in 1/4 of that makes it hotter. Dr.Beadling has a specific interest in the Southern Ocean since it accounts for 33% of the world's ocean area, but 75% of the heat from GHGs...the Southern Ocean takes all of that in which is more than a 40% carbon uptake. The Southern Ocean, fertilizes 75% of the global ocean biological productivity. It also has a strong control on the melting of the Antarctic ice sheet.

What Are Some of the Uncertainties of Climate Projection?

The future of antarctic ice sheets have major impacts for global sea level rise. The ocean holds a lot of importance because most if not all of the ice sheets are below sea level and sensitive to ocean changes as well as the way it evolves. Dr.Beadling emphasized that we should improve our understanding of the antarctic margin dynamics (sea level rise can also impact global ocean circulation patterns). When reviewing results of their models they noticed conflicting results with the modeled responses of shelf water to Antarctic meltwater.

"The Antarctic bottom water has sense shelf water production but allows it to be sequestered and ventilate the surface into an abyss" -Dr.Beadling

Thoughts on the Seminar?

I think the seminar was great, I have a lot of knowledge on AOSC especially sea level rising (which is one of my favorite aspects of Atmospheric Science) but listening to her seminar, even if you have no background knowledge on the Antarctic region or how it is impacted by sea level rising, she explains everything so well. It allows you to gain more knowledge but also appreciate her research as someone who is simply there to witness this seminar. So I would definitely want to hear another seminar of hers because her research and passion is honestly inspiring.

This seminar discussed the advancement of Environmental/Atmospheric research at Howard University and the history of said research. Dr.Chiao explained how he intends to expand research in the Environmental Sciences, among their programs at Howard which can influence future collaborations with students and faculty. The history of environmental sciences at Howard began in 1996 as a project for NASA, there was a partnership with UMD in 2016-2019 for students (ie. 95 students) to be trained, this led to a very high success rate with 54% African American PhDs within STEM fields coming from that program. It also helped to support 20% of Hispanic students to receive PhD degrees as well. Dr.Chiao emphasizes that while this was a program it did lead to high employment amongst participants (96%), but this is intended to branch amongst more universities and states. There were obviously challenges with this program because some participants were in it for the financial benefits and not the long term positives (aka employment), but this program is also a lengthy process especially for training, which meant a lot of people ended up leaving.

What Research Projects Were Created From This Program?

Dr.Chiao stated that a lot of the projects that came from this program included rooftop measurements and urban net towers. He also talked about the Bell scale and radio sound data sets. One machine in particular used radar data and another did statistical movements. Another project focused on the boundary layer and accounting. He emphasizes the fact that these projects came with their respective challenges and positive opportunities during the research portion.

Thoughts on the Seminar?

Since Howard University is a historically Black college/university, listening to Dr.Sen Chiao talk about the advancements and expansion of such a niche science (ie. atmospheric science) amongst an institutions with primarily minority students, it truly is empowering. Another thing that really interested me was the increase in earned degrees (more specifically PhDs) amongst these communities is really amazing. Dr.Chiao's passion to improve the understanding and trainings needed to enter these fields should be acknowledged a lot more!

Overall Thoughts

The Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences prides itself on weekly seminars that take place every Thursday. The numerous speakers that discuss their passion projects and research, can inspire students who are either in STEM programs or who simply have an interest in these topics to then create passion projects of their own!