Zachary Kaufman

I am broadly interested in how Earth’s atmosphere, ocean, and cryosphere interact to shape the spatial pattern of climate change. I primarily develop data-driven, statistical approaches to diagnose climate change mechanisms in state-of-the-art earth system models. At Stanford, I use these tools to evaluate the Southern Ocean’s complex relationship with Antarctic ice-sheet mass balance. This work addresses key sources of uncertainty in current climate change projections, supporting improved climate impact assessments and a better-informed societal response to future changes. I recently completed my PhD in the Feldl Lab at University of California, Santa Cruz, where I used a causal inference approach to investigate the role of sea ice in polar climate change. Outside the lab, I enjoy mountain biking, skiing, cooking, and live music.