My research interest is concerned with the dynamics of different classes of large-scale atmospheric disturbances and their roles in the global circulation. I tend to view the statistical structure of the atmosphere as an intricate mosaic. The seemingly myriad parts of this fascinating mosaic evidently fit together in a seamless whole. The challenge for atmospheric scientists is to figure out how and why the different parts occur the way they do, whereby to develop a greater appreciation of the beauty of our atmosphere from a dynamical point of view.

My current research focuses on two major features of the mosaic in the extratropics: storm tracks and monsoon circulation. My students and I have adopted both diagnostic and dynamical modeling approaches to tackle the multi-facet aspects of the Pacific and Atlantic storm tracks in winter. My research project on monsoonal dynamics, at the moment, aims to delineate the relative importance of the different physical factors/processes in the excitation of the Asian summer monsoon.

Mankin Mak's textbook, Atmospheric Dynamics, was published in 2011 by Cambridge University Press.