![Zaria Cast](/geography/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/people/10_2_2023_-_458_pm.png?itok=9o9H9wVW)
Research Interests
My research passion lies within the enigmatic polar regions. I am dedicated to unraveling the complexities of the Antarctic snowfall phenomenon and its implications for ice sheets, sea level rise, and the broader climate in a warming world. Employing advanced tools like the Community Earth System Model version 2 (CESM2) and forging connections between tower observations and historical reanalysis data in places like Utqiagvik, Alaska, I aim to reveal significant insights into the shifting dynamics of sea surface temperatures, snowfall precipitation patterns, and their interplay. My overarching goal is to contribute to a holistic comprehension of how climate change is reshaping these critical polar ecosystems and the global repercussions that follow.
More Info
I was born and raised in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, and in 2023, I successfully earned my BS in Geoscience with a Meteorology concentration from The University of Tennessee at Martin. Over the summers of 2021 to 2023, I had the valuable opportunity to be a student research scientist in the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) program known as Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research in Science (SOARS). During my time in SOARS, I actively contributed to paper writing, oral presentations, and high-quality research, often working under tight time constraints. This program stands out as the most impactful and guiding experience of my scientific journey, significantly influencing my analytical thinking and research capabilities.