Ching-Yao Lai
Assistant Professor of Geophysics
Bio
My group attacks fundamental questions in ice-dynamics, geophysics, and fluid dynamics by integrating mathematical and machine-learned models with observational data. We use our findings to address challenges facing the world, such as advancing our scientific knowledge of ice dynamics under climate change. The length scale of the systems we are interested in varies broadly from a few microns to thousands of kilometers, because the governing physical principles are often universal across a range of length and time scales. We use mathematical models, simulations, and machine learning to study the complex interactions between fluids and elasticity and their interfacial dynamics, such as multiphase flows, flows in deformable structures, and cracks. We extend our findings to tackle emerging topics in climate science and geophysics, such as understand the missing physics that governs the flow of ice sheets in a warming climate. We welcome collaborations across disciplinary lines, from geophysics, engineering, physics, applied math to computer science, since we believe combining expertise and methodologies across fields is crucial for new discoveries.
Administrative Appointments
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Executive Committee Member, Topical Group on the Physics of Climate, American Physical Society (APS) (2021 - 2023)
Honors & Awards
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Research Scholar Award, Google Research (2023-2024)
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Lamont Postdoctoral Fellowship, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University (2018-2019)
Professional Education
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Ph.D., Princeton University, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (2018)
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B.S., National Taiwan University, Physics (2013)
2023-24 Courses
- Icy Geophysics
GEOPHYS 385I (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum) - Machine Learning and the Physical Sciences
CME 215, GEOPHYS 148, GEOPHYS 248 (Spr) -
Independent Studies (6)
- Directed Reading
GEOPHYS 100 (Aut) - Experimental Investigation of Engineering Problems
ME 392 (Spr) - Honors Program
GEOPHYS 198 (Aut, Win) - Ph.D. Research Rotation
ME 398 (Win, Spr) - Research in Geophysics
GEOPHYS 400 (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum) - Undergraduate Research in Geophysics
GEOPHYS 196 (Aut, Win)
- Directed Reading
Stanford Advisees
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Postdoctoral Faculty Sponsor
Olivia MENG -
Postdoctoral Research Mentor
Stephanie Olinger