It's time to meet ATMS graduate student, Pappu Paul!

Pappu is originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital city.  Before coming to UIUC, he had some teaching experiences, after earning his master’s.  He worked a year and a half in several public and private universities in Bangladesh as a junior faculty. He did his undergraduate and master’s from the Department of Physics, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Let's find out more about what make Pappu tick.

Tell us about your research: 

My aim is to better understand the feedback loops that determine the magnitude of global warming and so I am running climate model simulations to understand the physics linking surface warming, atmospheric circulation, and top-of-atmosphere radiation.

In my current study, I'd want to gain a fundamental grasp of how radiative feedback due to SST warming responds in idealized simulations using the Community Atmospheric Model version 5 (CAM5), part of Community Earth System Model (CESM 1.2.1). For this, I'm applying a Green's function technique in which we prescribe delta function-like disturbances in SST in latitude bands while keeping SSTs constant everywhere else. These simulations, I believe, will expose the nonlocal impact of SST fluctuations on radiative feedback. 

Tell us about what drew you to the University and our Atmospheric Sciences Department:

The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and its Atmospheric Sciences Department's remarkable reputation in the discipline originally drew me in. I was impressed by the department's dedication to cutting-edge research and novel ways to comprehending our planet's complicated atmospheric processes. Furthermore, the distinguished faculty members, whose work I've appreciated for their contributions to climate science and meteorology, piqued my curiosity even further. The possibility of learning from such specialists and becoming a member of a community devoted to furthering our understanding of the Earth's atmosphere is quite appealing. Furthermore, the University's cutting-edge facilities and possibilities for hands-on research are important tools that I am excited to use in my academic career. Overall, the combination of academic brilliance, a thriving research community, and a real interest in atmospheric sciences made the decision easy.

What activities and hobbies do you have outside of school?

In his spare time, I love to play and watch cricket with my friends. Additionally, I try to go out and explore new places. I also love to cook and eat spicy food.

What are your career goals?

My ultimate career goal is to become a professor in the field of atmospheric sciences. I am deeply passionate about both the intricacies of our planet's atmosphere and the art of imparting knowledge to eager minds. I envision myself leading dynamic and engaging courses, inspiring students to delve into the complexities of atmospheric phenomena, climate patterns. Beyond the classroom, I aspire to contribute significantly to the academic community through groundbreaking research that advances our understanding of Earth's atmospheric processes. I am driven to mentor and guide aspiring scientists, nurturing their curiosity, and helping them develop the skills necessary for successful careers in atmospheric sciences. Ultimately, I hope to leave a lasting impact on the field, not only through my research contributions but also through the generations of students I have the privilege to educate and inspire.

Thanks for talking with us, Pappu, and thanks for choosing the University of Illinois and the department of Atmospheric Sciences as one of your stops on your life's journey!