GISS Personnel Directory

Dr. Michael J. Puma

[photo]

Affiliation: Columbia University

NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies
2880 Broadway
New York, NY 10025 USA

E-mail: michael.j.puma@nasa.gov
Phone: (212) 678-5667

Publications

Research Interests:
I am a hydrologist/ecohydrologist studying the interactions of the hydrologic cycle with climate, terrestrial ecosystems, and society. These interactions are important for climate, ecosystems (and the global carbon cycle), and sustainability. Currently, I am an associate research scientist with the Columbia University Center for Climate Systems Research (CCSR), which is associated with the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies. I am also a lecturer at the Center for Environmental Research and Conservation (CERC). I received my doctorate from Princeton University in civil and environmental engineering under the advisement of Professors Michael Celia and Ignacio Rodriguez-Iturbe. I also have a master degree in international environmental policy from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University.

Examples of my current research questions:
* How will coupled feedbacks between climate and the human-modified hydrological cycle change in the future, especially in regions that will experience significant water stress due the combined effects of climate change and population growth?

* Can an improved understanding of human-modified hydrological dynamics within the couple climate system be used to inform sustainable management of water resources -- including strategies to manage surface and subsurface water withdrawals?