Scientist Profile

Academic Roadmap

I am a Lamont Assistant Research Professor at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University exploring the richness of oceanic turbulence, and using machine learning tools to parameterize this turbulence in climate models as part of the M2LInES project. Prior to moving to Columbia University, I was a postdoc at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, NYU and the School of Oceanography, UW. I received a PhD at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute, FSU in Tallahassee, Florida, and an undergraduate chemical engineering degree from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Goa, India.

Research Interests

My research is primarily focused on understanding how the swirling flows in the ocean, at scales of 100m - 100km, stir, mix and transport tracers. This stirring and transport plays an integral role in influencing the Earth’s climate, and also controls the rhythms of oceanic and coastal ecosystems. You can read about the few aspects of this rich problem, which I have addressed with colleagues, on my research page, or download my publications for more details.

A summary of my professional life as a list can be found in my curriculum vitae.


Pathway to Science

I was born in the Indian state of Rajasthan, which is well known for the Thar Desert, and ancient palaces and forts (not for a lot of water bodies). I spent most of my childhood and teenage years in and around the capital city, New Delhi, and went to the western coastal state of Goa to study engineering after high-school. Even though living next to some of the most beautiful beaches in India as an undergrad, I had to go back inland, for an internship to Bangalore, to discover that humans spent time studying the ocean. The opportunity to study the fluid dynamics of the turbulent natural environment and to be involved in fieldwork have been the primary hooks that have lead me to where I am now.


Productivity and mental health

Stupidity in Science
Agile project management

Writing

Ten simple rules for structuring paper
The science of science writing
Draft no. 4

Podcasts

Forecast
Climate Scientists
Deep Convection
I enjoy learning about the variety of science and scientist’s lives and pathways from these podcasts.

History of Oceanography

Fiction/Vision of Autonomous Obs, (Henry Stommel, 1989)