The People of PSICE

Richard Alley
Evan Pugh Professor of Geosciences
517 Deike
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 863-1700
rba6@psu.edu

Richard is interested in the broad role of ice in the climate system, as a recorder of climate change, driver of climate and sea-level change, and modifier of landscapes. He participates in measurement of ice-core physical properties to learn about ice-sheet flow and climate history, and he does a little simple modeling, theory, and occasional field work to address the other questions.

Sridhar Anandakrishnan
Assistant Professor
442 Deike
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 863-6742
sak@essc.psu.edu

Associate Professor of Geosciences. My research has been primarily focused on the flow of large glaciers in Antarctica (known as “ice streams” because they look like rivers of ice embedded in other, slower-flowing ice). I use seismology (the study of seismic waves in ice and rocks), GPS (Global Positioning System, which can measure the movement of glaciers very accurately) and ice-penetrating radar to measure the properties of the englacial and subglacial environment. I work with numerical modelers and theoreticians to construct better predictive and prognostic models of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets.

I have been to Antarctica more than a dozen times as a participant or leader of research expediditions to better understand the current conditions of these ice streams and to help better predict their behavior in response to ongoing and expected climate change. These ice streams discharge ice to the ocean, so any change in their flow would affect sea level. I teach introductory and upper-level classes in Geology, Geophysics, Signal Processing, and Glaciology at Penn State.

Patrick Applegate
Graduate student
532 Deike
University Park, PA 16802

papplega@geosc.psu.edu

I'm technical support staff which means I'm here to help get things together for the science guys to study- that means computers, logistics, all the odds and ends.

Research interests include investigating ice stream and grounding line dynamics of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet using geophysical methods. Methods of choice include remote sensing, active and passive source seismology, and GPS analysis.

Summer research paper: Internal Layer Mapping and Characterization of the Onset Region of Ice Stream "D" Using Reflection Seismology. Mentor: Dr. Anandakrishnan

Cryosphere Processes and Climate Change, Alpine Melt Dynamics, Continental Ice Sheet Stability; Advanced wireless technology for ground-based monitoring of snow properties; Remote sensing and radiative transfer modeling; Hydroclimatology.

My research involves numerical modeling of the Earth's climate, including 3-D dynamical atmospheric, oceanic, and ice-sheet models. My main interests are in paleoclimates, ice ages, ice-climate-vegetation interactions, and ice sheet-shelf dynamics.

Summer research paper: Using Seismology to Map and Characterize the Glacial Bed in the Onset Region of Ice Stream D, West Antarctica. Mentor: Dr. Anandakrishnan

Artificial neural network (ANN) applications in the geosciences, meteorology and climatology, including use of self-organizing maps (SOMs) to understand data variability. Polar meteorology and climatology (North Atlantic Oscillation, Antarctic climate). Ice cores as recorders of (paleo)climate (glaciochemistry, physical properties, dating). Climate modeling and climate change (global and regional, past and future). Sea ice and climate.

Todd Sowers
Research Associate
237 Deike
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 863-8093
sowers@geosc.psu.edu

Numerical modeling of ice and ocean dynamics, with a focus on ice shelf/ocean interaction. I am particularly interested in the potential of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to contribute to sea level rise.

Don, you still need to send me your blurb.

I use numerical modeling experiments of glacier flow and related processes to help us more tightly constrain glacial sediment deposits. I additionally use field mapping of Quaternary deposits to constrain glacial and Earth surface processes.

J. Paul Winberry
PhD. Student
441 Deike
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 863-6741
winberry@essc.psu.edu

I am analyzing the TAMSIES data set that was collected from November 2000 to December 2003. I am looking at the seismic events that are occurring throughout the database and calculating the time and location of the origin with a software package called Antelope.