Curriculum Vitae
Matthew J. Widlansky
International Pacific Research Center
University of Hawaii
Honolulu, HI 96822
808.956.2822
mwidlans@hawaii.edu
PO Box 6113
Honolulu, HI 96839
404.372.5516
matthew.widlansky@gmail.com
EDUCATION
Ph.D.
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Advisor: Prof. Peter J. Webster
Dissertation: Dynamics of the South Pacific Convergence Zone
Minor in Environmental Public Policy
2010
M.S.
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Thesis: Variability of the South Pacific Convergence Zone and
its influence on the general atmospheric circulation
2007
B.S.
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (Highest Honor)
2005
RESEARCH INTERESTS
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Hierarchical modeling of Pacific climate change
Large-scale climate dynamics on synoptic and interannual timescales
Climate teleconnections between the tropics and higher latitudes
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Postdoctoral Fellow, International Pacific Research Center (IPRC)
University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
Mentors: Profs. Niklas Schneider and Axel Timmermann
Hierarchical modeling of climate change processes in the South Pacific.
Jan 2011 - current
Oceanographic research cruise, R/V Thompson (U. of Washington)
Station ALOHA, northeast of Honolulu, HI
Principal Investigator: Prof. Julian Sachs
Operated CTD instrument to collect paleoceanography data.
Feb 2012
Forecaster, Climate Forecast Applications Network (CFAN)
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Tropical cyclone genesis and track forecasts for petroleum industry client.
Probabilistic predictions out to 15 days produced using ECMWF forecast
data and a Bayesian based genesis risk tool.
Jun - Nov 2009
Weather Team Intern (WPBF-TV 25)
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Assisted the Chief Meteorologist with daily forecasting, preparing severe
weather case studies, and station website management.
May - Aug 2003
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Matthew J. Widlansky
mwidlans@hawaii.edu
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Graduate Research Assistant, focus on climate dynamics
2005 - 2010
Large-scale climate processes study using satellite observations and reanalysis data, as well as
numerical modeling experiments. Statistical analysis of modes of variability in tropical
convection and Southern Hemisphere mid-latitude storm tracks. Atmospheric General
Circulation Model (GCM) simulation of diagonal cloud bands (e.g., South Pacific Convergence
Zone) and sensitivity testing of surface boundary heating gradients. Comparative analysis to
higher complexity simulations conducted with coupled Atmosphere-Ocean GCMs.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Climate and Global Change course management, ~30 students/semester.
Fall 2006, 07, 09
Graduate Course Work
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences:
Atmospheric Dynamics, Large-scale Dynamics, Dynamic Meteorology, Thermodynamics of
Atmospheres & Oceans, Climate Change Modeling, Modeling for Geosciences, Atmosphere
& Ocean Interactions, Oceanography, Hurricanes Seminar, Clouds & Aerosols Seminar,
Multi-decadal Oscillations Seminar, Teaching Assistant Preparation Course, Tropical
Atlantic Variability Seminar.
Environmental Science and Public Policy:
Environmental Data Analysis, Environmental Policy, Energy Technology & Policy, Weather
Risk & Catastrophe Management.
Study Abroad, Tropical Ecology & Environmental Policy
University of Costa Rica, San Ramón and La Selva Biological Stations
Summer 2004
REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
Cai W., Lengaigne M., Borlace S., Collins M., Cowan T., McPhaden M.J., Timmermann A.,
Power S., Brown J., Menkes C., Ngari A., Vincent E.M., Widlansky M.J. (2012) More
extreme swings of the South Pacific Convergence Zone due to greenhouse warming. Nature.
488, 365-369. doi:10.1038/nature11358.
Widlansky M.J., Webster P.J., Hoyos C.D. (2011) On the location and orientation of the South
Pacific Convergence Zone. Clim. Dynam. 36, 561-578. doi:10.1007/s00382-010-0871-6.
In press
Widlansky M.J., Timmermann A., Stein K., McGregor S., Schneider N., England M. H.,
Lengaigne M., Cai W. (2012) Changes in South Pacific rainfall bands in a warming climate.
Nature Clim. Change. doi:10.1038/NCLIMATE1726.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Contributing Author for the IPCC WGI Fifth Assessment Report, Chapter 14: “Climate
Phenomena and their Relevance for Future Regional Climate Change”. (in preparation)
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Matthew J. Widlansky
mwidlans@hawaii.edu
INVITED SEMINARS
Department of Meteorology, Seminar Series, University of Hawaii, Honolulu
International Scientific Workshop on the SPCZ, Apia, Samoa
International Pacific Research Center, Seminar Series, U. of Hawaii, Honolulu
Oct 2012
Aug 2010
May 2010
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
10th ICSHMO, Southern Hemisphere Meteorology, Nouméa, New Caledonia
WCRP Workshop on CMIP5 Climate Model Analysis, Honolulu
11th IPRC Annual Symposium, University of Hawaii, Honolulu
Workshop on “Hierarchical modeling of climate”, ICTP, Trieste, Italy
Air-Sea Interactions in Southeast Pacific, AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco
29th Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology, AMS, Tucson
22nd Conference on Climate Variability & Change, AMS Annual Meeting, Atlanta
16th Conference on Air-Sea Interaction, AMS Annual Meeting, Phoenix
6th Annual EAS Graduate Student Symposium, Georgia Tech, Atlanta
SPCZ-Southwest Pacific Ocean session, AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco
4th Annual EAS Graduate Student Symposium, Georgia Tech, Atlanta
Apr 2012
Mar 2012
Sep 2011
July 2011
Dec 2010
May 2010
Jan 2010
Jan 2009
Nov 2008
Dec 2007
Nov 2006
AWARDS and HONORS
Poster Award, Climate Variability session, AMS Annual Meeting
Presidential Fellowship, Georgia Tech
Quarter Century Award, EAS, Georgia Tech
Faculty Honors, Georgia Tech
Gamma Alpha Tau, EAS Honor Society, Georgia Tech
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Deans List, Georgia Tech
AP Scholar with Distinction
National Society of Eagle Scouts
2010
2005 - 2009
2005
Spring 2005
2004, 2005
2003 - 2005
2002 - 2004
2001, 2002
2001
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
American Meteorological Association (AMS)
SOFTWARE EXPERIENCE
Data Analysis
MATLAB
NCAR Command Language
(NCL), Vapor, and Integrated
Data Viewer
Fortran and C++
GEMPAK and GRADS
Numerical Modeling
ICTP “SPEEDY”,
NCAR CCSM,
CMIP3 and CMIP5 intermodel analysis
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Publication
Adobe Illustrator, LaTeX,
Microsoft Office
Web Design
HTML coding and website
management
Operating Systems
UNIX, Windows XP/Vista/7
Matthew J. Widlansky
mwidlans@hawaii.edu
OUTREACH and ACTIVITIES
Peer reviewer for Climate Dynamics and Journal of Climate
Workshop Participant, “Science: Becoming the Messenger” (NSF)
“Magic Planet” presenter, K-12 Open House (IPRC/U. of Hawaii)
Daily Weather Briefings, forecaster (AMS Annual Meeting)
WxBuzz Forecasting Website, development member (EAS/Georgia Tech)
Computing Resources, committee member (EAS/Georgia Tech)
Undergraduate Studies, committee member (EAS/Georgia Tech)
Tutor, Georgia Tech Athletic Association
Forecaster, WxChallenge National Collegiate Forecasting Competition
Graduate Student Symposium, coordinator (EAS/Georgia Tech)
Jan 2012
Oct 2011
Jan 2010
2009 - 2010
2008 - 2010
2008 - 2010
2007 - 2010
2006 - 2009
Fall 2006
OTHER INTERESTS
Member, Hawaii Yacht Racing Association and Pearl Harbor Yacht Club
Lead Sailing Instructor, Georgia Tech Options – Course development
President, Georgia Tech Sailing Club – Fundraising and logistics
Coach, Lake Lanier Sailing Club – Junior sailing program
Captain, Georgia Tech Sailing Team – Program and fleet development
REFERENCES
References available upon request.
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2011 - current
2006 - 2009
2006-07, 2008-09
2005
2003 - 2005