Dr Chaojiao Sun

Chaojiao is the acting group leader of the Indian Ocean Group in the Coasts and Ocean Research Program at CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere. Chaojiao is a physical oceanographer specialising in ocean modelling and data assimilation. She is interested in understanding how ocean dynamics affects the climate and ecosystems, having worked both in the USA and Australia. Since joining CSIRO in 2008, Chaojiao has worked on ocean climate downscaling using the high-resolution BLUELink OFAM model, ocean data assimilation to improve model prediction of upwelling, and the WAMSI project on numerical modelling of dredge plumes. Previously at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, she developed methods for assimilating satellite snow observations into a NASA catchment model, and assimilating ocean observations into a global ocean model for improving seasonal prediction. Her current research interests include the role of ocean currents and eddies in connectivity, and the impact of climate change on ocean boundary currents and the Great Barrier Reef. Chaojiao currently leads a collaborative project titled "A Forecasting System to Provide Early Warnings for Coastal Ecological Disasters (harmful algal blooms and harmful jellyfish blooms)" co-funded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and CSIRO.