Shang Gao

By training, I am a hydrologist and my current research include the following subjects.
a) Improve the understanding and prediction of network dynamics in non-perennial streams. The intermittency of water in streams is vital indicator of riparian health and stream biology, ecology, and biogeochemistry. My research integrates hydro-modeling, remote sensing, and in-situ measurements to better understand and predict these non-perennial stream networks, which are ubiquitous in Arizona. 
b) Stochastic downscaling of the future climate for risk-based applications at fine-scale. Climate change is a realty in Arizona. Two challenges in predicting climate change are 1) the uncertainty and 2) the mismatch between the coarse scale of prediction and the fine scale of applications or managements. I am currently work on addressing both challenges using stochastic weather generator to downscale GCM (global circulation model) outputs.   
c) Predict compound and cascading natural hazards under a changing climate.
Relevance: Climate change has polarizing effects on the hydrologic extremes; and Arizona is at the forefront of this shift because of our regional hydrometeorology. My research aims to improve our ability to understand, prepare for, and understand the compound/cascading natural hazards, e.g., flash flooding enhanced by wide fire, flash drought induced by heat wave.