MARTINEZ CLAROS, JOSE

Research Interests:

• tropical moisture exports from atmospheric rivers
• jet-precipitation feedback mechanisms in the mid-latitude atmosphere
• influence of moisture on mid-latitude eddies
• lightning physics

Degrees:

• PhD in Atmospheric Physics (New Mexico Tech, 2020)
• MS in Atmospheric Physics (New Mexico Tech, 2017)
• BS in Meteorology (Universidad de Costa Rica, 2012)

BIO

I am 3rd-year postdoc working on several research projects including running climate models to study the influence of atmospheric moisture on the atmospheric energy budget and on mid-latitude jet dynamics, and developing a novel characterization of tropical moisture exports in atmospheric rivers sensitive to precipitation extremes.

Originally a Honduran native, I obtained a bachelors degree in meteorology from the University of Costa Rica. There I was introduced to research on lightning distributions. Following my interest in understanding the physical mechanisms of lightning events, I obtained a masters degree in lightning physics at New Mexico Tech, focusing on developing an algorithm to automate the detection of continuing current in lightning flashes. I branched out from lightning physics into atmospheric convection research, and obtained a PhD in atmospheric physics, with focus on developing a three-dimensional approach to atmospheric rivers from a tropical vorticity perspective.