Anni Zhao

Project title: Equatorial temperature gradients and Plio-Pleistocene East African climate change

Contact

Department of Geography

University College London
North-West Wing
Gower Street, London. WC1E 6BT

Email: anni.zhao.16@ucl.ac.uk

Supervisors:

Primary: Dr Chris Brierley (UCL Geography)

Secondary: Prof Mark Maslin (UCL Geography)

Research

My research aims to solidify and further our knowledge of the drivers and impacts of chnanging tropical SST gradients on East African climate and climate variability. Such knowledge will be beneficial for understanding and contextualising future climate changes in East Africa. The warm Pliocene, with its reduced SST gradients, is seen as providing some of the best clues into future climate change, as it saw CO2 concentrations similar to their present, elevated values. Changes in precipitation in East Africa would further stress peoples already suffering under current climate conditions. Our increased knowledge of their causes could lead to improved adaptation strategies for these vulnerable communities. A multidisciplinary approach combining the knowledge from a range of disciplines will be used to tackle the research.

Academic Background

PhD Candidate in Physical Geography, University College London, since 2017

MSc Environmental Modelling, University College London, 2016-2017

BSc Environmental Science, Lancaster University, 2014-2016

BSc Environmental Science, University of Leeds, 2013-2014 (Transferred to Lancaster University in second year)

Internship:

07/2016 - 09/2016
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) China Office

06/2016 – 07/2016
Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES) Institute of Atmospheric Environment

06/2014- 07/2014
Institute for Urban and Environmental Studies Chinese Academy of Social Science