"What fascinates me about scientific work is the ability to use simple formulas to understand complex problems."

 

At the University of Innsbruck I did...

At the University of Innsbruck, I had the opportunity to work closely with Professor Georg Wohlfahrt, one of the leading scientists in the field of gross primary productivity (GPP) research. I learned how to use carbonyl sulfide (COS) flux and sun-induced fluorescence (SIF) measurements at the FAIR forest infrastructure (AT-Mmg) in Innsbruck to more accurately estimate GPP. I plan to use this advanced knowledge, in combination with my atmospheric boundary-layer depth model, to better understand the "biological feedbacks in the atmospheric CO2 rectifier". In addition, I am honored to have been given the opportunity to co-teach a master course on "Global Change Ecology" with Professors Michael Bahn and Ruben Sommaruga. This course provides a unique platform for cross-disciplinary exchange and will undoubtedly contribute to my teaching in the future. Overall, my time at the University of Innsbruck has been an enriching and valuable experience, and I look forward to applying what I have learned to my research and teaching in the years to come.

 

I am visiting the University of Innsbruck because...

I am visiting the University of Innsbruck because of my host professor, Dr. Georg Wohlfahrt, who is one of the world's foremost scientists in the field of measuring and quantifying GPP (gross primary productivity). Dr. Wohlfahrt's pioneering work, which uses additional carbonyl sulfide (COS) flux and sun-induced fluorescence (SIF) measurements at the FAIR forest infrastructure (AT-Mmg) to determine GPP, is pushing the boundaries of our understanding of how carbon cycles through ecosystems. The research environment at the Department of Ecology at the University of Innsbruck is both vibrant and inspired, with a strong team working on experiments and modeling to advance this research frontier. Through my collaboration with Dr. Wohlfahrt's team and my review of relevant literature, I have gained valuable insights into using COS measurements and modelling to study ecosystem productivity. This experience has enriched my research spectrum and opened up new possibilities for collaboration in the future.

 

Innsbruck for me is...

Innsbruck is a beautiful and welcoming city with a unique blend of natural and cultural attractions. During my five months as a Fulbright visiting professor at the University of Innsbruck, I had the opportunity to experience the city's charms firsthand. The people were incredibly friendly and helpful, and the landscape was nothing short of breathtaking. One of the things that made my time in Innsbruck so special was the opportunity to apply the meteorological principles I have taught in my courses in New York to the local weather patterns. The "home made mountain weather" was fascinating to observe, and I enjoyed using my knowledge to interpret why clouds hung on the middle slope of the Alps during specific periods of the day. My office at the ecology department had a fantastic view of the surrounding landscape, including the snow-capped peaks of "Europe's Roof" and the tree line. I even had the pleasure of hearing the bell sounds of cows on the nearby slope, which was a perfect combination of work and pleasure

 

What fascinates me about scientific work is...

What fascinates me about scientific work is the ability to use simple formulas to understand complex problems. As a micrometeorologist with a love for mathematics, I am fascinated by how equations can be used to shed light on difficult problems in biosphere-atmosphere interactions. My Fulbright experience at the University of Innsbruck, working with Dr. Georg Wohlfahrt, has expanded the tools and techniques I can use to tackle these complex issues.