Andrew Malone
Email Address: amalone@uic.eduCollege: Liberal Arts and Sciences Department: Earth and Environmental Sciences
Title: Visiting Assistant Professor
Office: 2476
Participating in the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Awards program: Yes
Research Interest:
I research the mechanisms for past climate changes and the human impacts of present and future climate change, using glaciers as a proxy for climate change and a vital natural resource. My students and I work with previously published data and also construct new data sets using satellite images and remote sensing techniques. Additionally, we build and mathematical and numerical models to understand the process of environmental change and make predictions for future changes. Currently, I am focusing on mountain glaciers and communities in the tropical Andes Mountains (South America). The objectives of my research are to understand fundamental processes in the Earth System better, fill in the gaps in data-sparse regions, and provide information to improve community resilience climate change. Minimum time commitment in hours per week: 1 to 2 Credit Hours (3 to 6 hours per week) Qualifications of a Student:
I am looking for motivated and enthusiastic students. My current research assistants are in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, but that is not a requirement. Curiosity, however, is a must. Brief Summary of what is expected from the student:
You could take the lead on a portion of one of my current projects, or you could propose your own. Projects related to my current research include:
1) mapping glacier coverage and quantifying its change in Peru using satellite data,
2) tracking spatial and temporal variability of snow cover on glaciers using satellite data,
3) quantifying the rates and key processes for current glacier change using data analysis techniques,
4) identifying dominate energy exchange processes for tropical glaciers using numerical models (proficiency in python is a must for this project).
For Projects 1 through 3, no previous technical experience is required; a desire to learn new techniques and software is a must.
As a research assistant, you and I will meet once a week for 1 hour to check-in on weekly progress, troubleshoot problems, and identifying the next week's research targets. You will then be expected to spend 2 to 5 hours per week between meetings (depending on the number of credit hours) working towards these targets. Your research will culminate in a 10-minute presentation to my research group at the end of the semester. There is also the possibility to present research at an academic conference and/or co-authorship on publications.
Return to Earth and Environmental Sciences list
Return to Departments list