About

Hi! I’m Zho :)

I am a recent doctoral graduate in climate dynamics with a PhD in physical oceanography from the UW School of Oceanography, where I work with Professor Kyle Armour. My research focus is the role of the general ocean circulation in climate. I use idealized climate models to study the fundamental drivers of ocean circulation and the impact of increasing greenhouse gases on ocean and atmospheric circulation. If you’re interested, take a look at my Publications to see papers about the projects I’ve worked on.

While at UW, I have been an active member of the Program on Climate Change, serving on the Board and on the Graduate Steering Committee. I helped organize several Climate Science on Tap events with Cascadia Climate Action and other Program on Climate Change graduate students. I also co-chaired the organizing committee of the 2020 Graduate Climate Conference.

One of my passions is providing accessible, accurate education around climate and climate change. My capstone project for the Program on Climate Change involved the creation of a short course on the physics of the climate system titled “Physics of a Changing Climate: Energy Conservation and Transfer.” This course is available to the public on the Open Educational Resources Commons.

Before starting graduate school, I spent some time through-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. I moved to Oakland for a while and worked at a pet store attached to a veterinary clinic selling prescription dog and cat food.

I graduated from Johns Hopkins with Bachelor’s degrees in Earth & Planetary Science and Global Environmental Change & Sustainability. As an undergrad, I fell in love with the Coriolis force thanks to Professors Anand Gnanadesikan and Thomas Haine.

I grew up in Seattle, WA though I travelled to visit family in China almost every summer.

In my free time, you are likely to find me organizing against imperialism for a just and lasting peace. This is how I am fighting for climate justice and liberation from oppression. To learn more, check out Resist US-Led War Seattle and this blog post I wrote about free trade agreements.