Jacob M. Steinberg

Before joining GFDL, I was a postdoctoral investigator at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and member of the Climate Process Team on Ocean Transport and Eddy Energy. In this position, I worked with a large team to improve the representation of mesoscale eddies (the ocean’s weather) in climate models. These eddies drive ocean mixing and transport, shaping the distribution of ocean heat and nutrients that sustain ecosystems. I completed my PhD at the University of Washington in physical oceanography in 2020, where my dissertation focused on exploring ocean mesoscale eddy structure, evolution, and decay using autonomous underwater vehicles — Seaglider and Deepglider. During my time at UW I earned a master’s degree in applied mathematics, focusing on coursework applying ODE and PDE methods to fluid dynamics problems. I hold a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Maryland, with coursework exploring water resource, surface/groundwater hydrology, and coastal engineering applications.

My engineering background has shaped the way I engage with physical oceanography questions — leveraging an applied perspective to identify and explain mechanistic relationships that are revealed through analyses of a combination of observations and model output. Previous fieldwork deploying, piloting, and recovering gliders, as well as participating in education and outreach on the water, has given me a deep appreciation of the importance of engaging with community members and translating science to broader audiences. I think improved connections can be made through use of new data visualization tools and use of high-performance computing to showcase fundamental theory. As extreme event frequency continues to change, especially with respeect to sea level change and flooding, I am interested in engaging with impacted communities to build relationships that connect the science to preparedness and positive outcomes.

Outside of work I enjoy running, climbing, cycling, swimming, reading, brewing coffee, and xc-skiing. Some recent favorite books: Debt: The First 5,000 Years (David Graeber), Children of Time (Adrian Tchaikovsky), A Manual for Cleaning Women (Lucia Berlin), The Power Broker (Robert Caro), The Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy (Liu Cixin), The Dispossessed (Ursula K. Le Guin).