The climate at any one location is determined by the temporal progression of synoptic-scale weather events. My research focuses on the temporal and spatial variability of these synoptic-scale systems and their impact upon various environmental parameters, such as air-quality and human health. Current research involves examining how weather and climate influence severe cases of respiratory distress, which can be related to both pollutants and aeroallergens as well as short-term changes in weather conditions. I also investigate the linkages between synoptic-scale and smaller spatial scale phenomena. This research has resulted in climatologies of deep-water waves, stability and long-range transport of pollutants, and severe weather. Finally, I am actively involved in the examination of climate change and variability in the context of synoptic-scale circulation.
Research
Biometeorology and bioclimatology: specifically interactions between weather/climate and human health, with an emphasis on heat mortality, respiratory morbidity and mortality, and possible linkages between climate and influenza. I also do some work on climate and viticulture (phenology and wine quality).
Synoptic climatology: specifically the climatology of large-scale weather systems, their variability and change, particularly in the United States.
Air quality: linkages between near-surface pollutants and synoptic-scale systems with an emphasis on impacts to human health.
