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Dr. Michael Joseph Puma

Photo of MICHAEL PUMA

Dr. Michael Joseph Puma

  • SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST
  • 212.678.5567
  • NASA GISS
  • 2880 Broadway
  • New York , NY 10025
  • Employer: TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

    • Positions/Employment

    12/2016 - Present

    Unit Director & Research Scientist

    Center for Climate Systems Research, Columbia University, New York, NY

    Global food security, human migration, hydroclimatology, and network science.

    7/2016 - 4/2019

    Climate & Life Fellow

    Center for Climate and Life (http://climateandlife.columbia.edu/), New York, NY
    6/2010 - 11/2016

    Associate Research Scientist

    Center for Climate Systems Research, Columbia University @ NASA GISS, New York, NY

    Researching land atmoshpere interactions in the climate system and global food security.

    Education

    Princeton University
    PhD, Civil Engineering, Environmental Eng. and Water Resources, 2006
    MA, Civil Engineering, Environmental Eng. and Water Resources, 2003

    Columbia University
    Master of International Affairs, Environmental Policy Studies, 1999
    BS, Civil Engineering, Environmental Eng. and Water Resources, 1998

    Research Interests

    Global Food Security

    The research topic that fascinates me most is global food security, especially the exploration of how susceptible the global food system is to disturbances. More generally, I’m interested in understanding the limits to predictability of complex systems, as we need fundamentally different approaches for problems that are sensitive to non-predictable extremes.

    Land-Atmosphere Interactions

    I also work on understanding land-atmosphere interactions in the Earth's climate system (with a focus on agriculture and more generally on vegetation/soil properties) as well as for exoplanets.

    Publications

    Refereed

    Marchand, P., J. A. Carr, J. Dell’Angelo, et al. M. Fader, J. A. Gephart, M. Kummu, N. R. Magliocca, M. Porkka, M. J. Puma, Z. Ratajczak, M. C. Rulli, D. A. Seekell, S. Suweis, A. Tavoni, and P. D’Odorico. 2016. "Reserves and trade jointly determine exposure to food supply shocks." Environmental Research Letters, 11 (9): 095009 [10.1088/1748-9326/11/9/095009]

    van den Hurk, B., H. Kim, G. Krinner, et al. S. I. Seneviratne, C. Derksen, T. Oki, H. Douville, J. Colin, A. Ducharne, F. Cheruy, N. Viovy, M. J. Puma, Y. Wada, W. Li, B. Jia, A. Alessandri, D. M. Lawrence, G. P. Weedon, R. Ellis, S. Hagemann, J. Mao, M. G. Flanner, M. Zampieri, S. Materia, R. M. Law, and J. Sheffield. 2016. "LS3MIP (v1.0) contribution to CMIP6: the Land Surface, Snow and Soil moisture Model Intercomparison Project – aims, setup and expected outcome." Geosci. Model Dev., 9 (8): 2809-2832 [10.5194/gmd-9-2809-2016]

    Fader, M., M. C. Rulli, J. Carr, et al. J. Dell’Angelo, P. D’Odorico, J. A. Gephart, M. Kummu, N. Magliocca, M. Porkka, C. Prell, M. J. Puma, Z. Ratajczak, D. A. Seekell, S. Suweis, and A. Tavoni. 2016. "Past and present biophysical redundancy of countries as a buffer to changes in food supply." Environmental Research Letters, 11 (5): 055008 [10.1088/1748-9326/11/5/055008]

    Puma, M. J., S. Bose, S. Y. Chon, and B. I. Cook. 2015. "Assessing the evolving fragility of the global food system." Environ. Res. Lett., 10 (2): 024007 [10.1088/1748-9326/10/2/024007]

    Kim, Y., P. R. Moorcroft, I. Aleinov, M. J. Puma, and N. Y. Kiang. 2015. "Variability of phenology and fluxes of water and carbon with observed and simulated soil moisture in the Ent Terrestrial Biosphere Model (Ent TBM version 1.0.1.0.0)." Geosci. Model Dev., 8 (12): 3837-3865 [10.5194/gmd-8-3837-2015]

    Cook, B. I., S. P. McDermid, M. J. Puma, and L. Nazarenko. 2015. "Irrigation as an historical climate forcing." Clim. Dyn., 44 (5-6): 1715-1730 [doi:10.1007/s00382-014-2204-7]

    Nazarenko, L., G. A. Schmidt, R. L. Miller, et al. N. L. Tausnev, M. Kelley, R. A. Ruedy, G. L. Russell, I. Aleinov, M. P. Bauer, S. E. Bauer, R. Bleck, V. M. Canuto, Y. Cheng, T. L. Clune, A. D. Del Genio, G. S. Faluvegi, J. E. Hansen, R. J. Healy, N. Y. Kiang, D. Koch, A. A. Lacis, A. N. LeGrande, J. Lerner, K.-W. Lo, S. Menon, V. Oinas, J. P. Perlwitz, M. J. Puma, D. H. Rind, A. Romanou, M. Sato, D. T. Shindell, S. Sun, K. Tsigaridis, N. Unger, A. Voulgarakis, M.-S. Yao, and J. Zhang. 2015. "Future climate change under RCP emission scenarios with GISS ModelE2." J. Adv. Model. Earth Syst., 7 (1): 244-267 [doi:10.1002/2014MS000403]

    Miller, R. L., G. A. Schmidt, L. Nazarenko, et al. N. L. Tausnev, S. E. Bauer, A. Del Genio, M. Kelley, K.-W. Lo, R. A. Ruedy, D. T. Shindell, I. Aleinov, M. P. Bauer, R. Bleck, V. M. Canuto, Y. Chen, Y. Cheng, T. L. Clune, G. S. Faluvegi, J. E. Hansen, R. J. Healy, N. Y. Kiang, D. Koch, A. A. Lacis, A. N. Legrande, J. Lerner, S. Menon, V. Oinas, C. Perez Garcia Pando, J. P. Perlwitz, M. J. Puma, D. Rind, A. Romanou, G. L. Russell, M. Sato, S. Sun, K. Tsigaridis, N. Unger, A. Voulgarakis, M.-S. Yao, and J. Zhang. 2014. "CMIP5 historical simulations (1850-2012) with GISS ModelE2." J. Adv. Model. Earth Syst., 6 (2): 441-477 [10.1002/2013MS000266]

    Schmidt, G. A., M. Kelley, L. Nazarenko, et al. R. A. Ruedy, G. L. Russell, I. Aleinov, M. P. Bauer, S. E. Bauer, M. K. Bhat, R. Bleck, V. M. Canuto, Y. Chen, Y. Cheng, T. L. Clune, A. D. Del Genio, R. de Fainchtein, G. S. Faluvegi, J. E. Hansen, R. J. Healy, N. Y. Kiang, D. Koch, A. A. Lacis, A. N. LeGrande, J. Lerner, K.-W. Lo, E. E. Matthews, S. Menon, R. L. Miller, V. Oinas, A. O. Oloso, J. P. Perlwitz, M. J. Puma, W. M. Putman, D. H. Rind, A. Romanou, M. Sato, D. T. Shindell, S. Sun, R. A. Syed, N. L. Tausnev, K. Tsigaridis, N. Unger, A. Voulgarakis, M.-S. Yao, and J. Zhang. 2014. "Configuration and assessment of the GISS ModelE2 contributions to the CMIP5 archive." J. Adv. Model. Earth Syst., 6 (1): 141-184 [10.1002/2013MS000265]

    Shukla, S. P., M. J. Puma, and B. I. Cook. 2014. "The response of the South Asian Summer Monsoon circulation to intensified irrigation in global climate model simulations." Clim Dyn, 42 (1-2): 21-36 [10.1007/s00382-013-1786-9]

    Krakauer, N. Y., M. J. Puma, and B. I. Cook. 2013. "Impacts of soil–aquifer heat and water fluxes on simulated global climate." Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 17 (5): 1963-1974 [10.5194/hess-17-1963-2013]

    Puma, M. J., R. D. Koster, and B. I. Cook. 2013. "Phenological versus meteorological controls on land-atmosphere water and carbon fluxes." J. Geophys. Res. Biogeosci., 118 (1): 14-29 [10.1029/2012JG002088]

    Puma, M. J. 2012. "A holistic approach to guide development of future climate scenarios for water resource applications." J Contemp Water Res Educ, 147 (1): 41-48 [10.1111/j.1936-704X.2012.03101.x]

    Cook, B. I., K. J. Anchukaitis, J. O. Kaplan, et al. M. J. Puma, M. Kelley, and D. Gueyffier. 2012. "Pre-Columbian deforestation as an amplifier of drought in Mesoamerica." Geophys Res Lett, 39 (16): L16706 [10.1029/2012GL052565]

    Cook, B. I., M. J. Puma, and N. Y. Krakauer. 2011. "Irrigation induced surface cooling in the context of modern and increased greenhouse gas forcing." Clim Dyn, 37 (7-8): 1587-1600 [10.1007/s00382-010-0932-x]

    Krakauer, N. Y., B. I. Cook, and M. J. Puma. 2010. "Contribution of soil moisture feedback to hydroclimatic variability." Hydrol Earth Syst Sci, 14: 505-520 [10.5194/hess-14-505-2010]

    Puma, M. J., and B. I. Cook. 2010. "Effects of irrigation on global climate during the 20th century." J Geophys Res, 115 (D16): D16120 [10.1029/2010JD014122]

    Koster, R. D., Z. Guo, R. Yang, et al. P. A. Dirmeyer, K. Mitchell, and M. J. Puma. 2009. "On the nature of soil moisture in land surface models." J Climate, 22: 4322-4335 [Full Text (Link)]

    Non-Refereed

    Puma, M. J., S. Chon, and Y. Wada. 2015. "Exploring the potential impacts of historic volcanic eruptions on the contemporary global food system." PAGES 23 (2): 66-67 [Full Text (Link)]

    Teaching Experience

    Columbia University
    Hydrology, Adjunct Associate/Assistant Professor (Summers, 2011 to present)
    Water Governance, Adjunct Lecturer (Fall semesters, 2013 to present)
    Past Columbia Courses: Science of Sustainable Water (Fall semesters 2011 & 2012); Management and Development of Water Systems (Spring 2011); Envtl. Science for Sustainable Development (Guest lecturer, Fall 2010); Water and Sustainability (Fall 2010, Spring 2012); Water, Ecosystems, and Sustainability (Summer 2009)

    Princeton University
    Assistant Instructor, Hydrology (Spring 2006)
    Assistant Instructor, Fundamentals Of Envtl. Science (Fall 2005)
    Teaching Transcript Program: Completed a pedagogical training program at Princeton University’s McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning (2005-2007).

    Brief Bio

    The research topic that fascinates me most is global food security, especially the exploration of how susceptible the global food system is to disturbances. More generally, I’m interested in understanding the limits to predictability of complex systems, as we need fundamentally different approaches for problems that are sensitive to non-predictable extremes.  I also work on understanding land-atmosphere interactions in the Earth's climate system (with a focus on agriculture) as well as for exoplanets.

    I am currently a Climate & Life Fellow at the Center for Climate and Life of Columbia University.  Also, I am a research scientist at the Center for Climate Systems Research @ NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.  I also teach Hydrology and Water Governance at Columbia University.

    Previously, I have worked with:

    • United Nation Development Programme
    • National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics
    • UNSO Office to Combat Desertification & Drought (now the Integrated Drylands Development Programme)
    • UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
    • URS Corporation
    • Dvirka and Bartilucci Consulting Engineers 
    • Inform, Inc. (an environmental NGO)

    Brief Bio

    The research topic that fascinates me most is global food security, especially the exploration of how susceptible the global food system is to disturbances. More generally, I’m interested in understanding the limits to predictability of complex systems, as we need fundamentally different approaches for problems that are sensitive to non-predictable extremes.  I also work on understanding land-atmosphere interactions in the Earth's climate system (with a focus on agriculture) as well as for exoplanets.

    I am currently a Climate & Life Fellow at the Center for Climate and Life of Columbia University.  Also, I am a research scientist at the Center for Climate Systems Research @ NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.  I also teach Hydrology and Water Governance at Columbia University.

    Previously, I have worked with:

    • United Nation Development Programme
    • National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics
    • UNSO Office to Combat Desertification & Drought (now the Integrated Drylands Development Programme)
    • UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
    • URS Corporation
    • Dvirka and Bartilucci Consulting Engineers 
    • Inform, Inc. (an environmental NGO)

    Publications

    Refereed

    Marchand, P., J. A. Carr, J. Dell’Angelo, et al. M. Fader, J. A. Gephart, M. Kummu, N. R. Magliocca, M. Porkka, M. J. Puma, Z. Ratajczak, M. C. Rulli, D. A. Seekell, S. Suweis, A. Tavoni, and P. D’Odorico. 2016. "Reserves and trade jointly determine exposure to food supply shocks." Environmental Research Letters 11 (9): 095009 [10.1088/1748-9326/11/9/095009]

    van den Hurk, B., H. Kim, G. Krinner, et al. S. I. Seneviratne, C. Derksen, T. Oki, H. Douville, J. Colin, A. Ducharne, F. Cheruy, N. Viovy, M. J. Puma, Y. Wada, W. Li, B. Jia, A. Alessandri, D. M. Lawrence, G. P. Weedon, R. Ellis, S. Hagemann, J. Mao, M. G. Flanner, M. Zampieri, S. Materia, R. M. Law, and J. Sheffield. 2016. "LS3MIP (v1.0) contribution to CMIP6: the Land Surface, Snow and Soil moisture Model Intercomparison Project – aims, setup and expected outcome." Geosci. Model Dev. 9 (8): 2809-2832 [10.5194/gmd-9-2809-2016]

    Fader, M., M. C. Rulli, J. Carr, et al. J. Dell’Angelo, P. D’Odorico, J. A. Gephart, M. Kummu, N. Magliocca, M. Porkka, C. Prell, M. J. Puma, Z. Ratajczak, D. A. Seekell, S. Suweis, and A. Tavoni. 2016. "Past and present biophysical redundancy of countries as a buffer to changes in food supply." Environmental Research Letters 11 (5): 055008 [10.1088/1748-9326/11/5/055008]

    Puma, M. J., S. Bose, S. Y. Chon, and B. I. Cook. 2015. "Assessing the evolving fragility of the global food system." Environ. Res. Lett. 10 (2): 024007 [10.1088/1748-9326/10/2/024007]

    Kim, Y., P. R. Moorcroft, I. Aleinov, M. J. Puma, and N. Y. Kiang. 2015. "Variability of phenology and fluxes of water and carbon with observed and simulated soil moisture in the Ent Terrestrial Biosphere Model (Ent TBM version 1.0.1.0.0)." Geosci. Model Dev. 8 (12): 3837-3865 [10.5194/gmd-8-3837-2015]

    Cook, B. I., S. P. McDermid, M. J. Puma, and L. Nazarenko. 2015. "Irrigation as an historical climate forcing." Clim. Dyn. 44 (5-6): 1715-1730 [doi:10.1007/s00382-014-2204-7]

    Nazarenko, L., G. A. Schmidt, R. L. Miller, et al. N. L. Tausnev, M. Kelley, R. A. Ruedy, G. L. Russell, I. Aleinov, M. P. Bauer, S. E. Bauer, R. Bleck, V. M. Canuto, Y. Cheng, T. L. Clune, A. D. Del Genio, G. S. Faluvegi, J. E. Hansen, R. J. Healy, N. Y. Kiang, D. Koch, A. A. Lacis, A. N. LeGrande, J. Lerner, K.-W. Lo, S. Menon, V. Oinas, J. P. Perlwitz, M. J. Puma, D. H. Rind, A. Romanou, M. Sato, D. T. Shindell, S. Sun, K. Tsigaridis, N. Unger, A. Voulgarakis, M.-S. Yao, and J. Zhang. 2015. "Future climate change under RCP emission scenarios with GISS ModelE2." J. Adv. Model. Earth Syst. 7 (1): 244-267 [doi:10.1002/2014MS000403]

    Miller, R. L., G. A. Schmidt, L. Nazarenko, et al. N. L. Tausnev, S. E. Bauer, A. Del Genio, M. Kelley, K.-W. Lo, R. A. Ruedy, D. T. Shindell, I. Aleinov, M. P. Bauer, R. Bleck, V. M. Canuto, Y. Chen, Y. Cheng, T. L. Clune, G. S. Faluvegi, J. E. Hansen, R. J. Healy, N. Y. Kiang, D. Koch, A. A. Lacis, A. N. Legrande, J. Lerner, S. Menon, V. Oinas, C. Perez Garcia Pando, J. P. Perlwitz, M. J. Puma, D. Rind, A. Romanou, G. L. Russell, M. Sato, S. Sun, K. Tsigaridis, N. Unger, A. Voulgarakis, M.-S. Yao, and J. Zhang. 2014. "CMIP5 historical simulations (1850-2012) with GISS ModelE2." J. Adv. Model. Earth Syst. 6 (2): 441-477 [10.1002/2013MS000266]

    Schmidt, G. A., M. Kelley, L. Nazarenko, et al. R. A. Ruedy, G. L. Russell, I. Aleinov, M. P. Bauer, S. E. Bauer, M. K. Bhat, R. Bleck, V. M. Canuto, Y. Chen, Y. Cheng, T. L. Clune, A. D. Del Genio, R. de Fainchtein, G. S. Faluvegi, J. E. Hansen, R. J. Healy, N. Y. Kiang, D. Koch, A. A. Lacis, A. N. LeGrande, J. Lerner, K.-W. Lo, E. E. Matthews, S. Menon, R. L. Miller, V. Oinas, A. O. Oloso, J. P. Perlwitz, M. J. Puma, W. M. Putman, D. H. Rind, A. Romanou, M. Sato, D. T. Shindell, S. Sun, R. A. Syed, N. L. Tausnev, K. Tsigaridis, N. Unger, A. Voulgarakis, M.-S. Yao, and J. Zhang. 2014. "Configuration and assessment of the GISS ModelE2 contributions to the CMIP5 archive." J. Adv. Model. Earth Syst. 6 (1): 141-184 [10.1002/2013MS000265]

    Shukla, S. P., M. J. Puma, and B. I. Cook. 2014. "The response of the South Asian Summer Monsoon circulation to intensified irrigation in global climate model simulations." Clim Dyn 42 (1-2): 21-36 [10.1007/s00382-013-1786-9]

    Krakauer, N. Y., M. J. Puma, and B. I. Cook. 2013. "Impacts of soil–aquifer heat and water fluxes on simulated global climate." Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 17 (5): 1963-1974 [10.5194/hess-17-1963-2013]

    Puma, M. J., R. D. Koster, and B. I. Cook. 2013. "Phenological versus meteorological controls on land-atmosphere water and carbon fluxes." J. Geophys. Res. Biogeosci. 118 (1): 14-29 [10.1029/2012JG002088]

    Puma, M. J. 2012. "A holistic approach to guide development of future climate scenarios for water resource applications." J Contemp Water Res Educ 147 (1): 41-48 [10.1111/j.1936-704X.2012.03101.x]

    Cook, B. I., K. J. Anchukaitis, J. O. Kaplan, et al. M. J. Puma, M. Kelley, and D. Gueyffier. 2012. "Pre-Columbian deforestation as an amplifier of drought in Mesoamerica." Geophys Res Lett 39 (16): L16706 [10.1029/2012GL052565]

    Cook, B. I., M. J. Puma, and N. Y. Krakauer. 2011. "Irrigation induced surface cooling in the context of modern and increased greenhouse gas forcing." Clim Dyn 37 (7-8): 1587-1600 [10.1007/s00382-010-0932-x]

    Krakauer, N. Y., B. I. Cook, and M. J. Puma. 2010. "Contribution of soil moisture feedback to hydroclimatic variability." Hydrol Earth Syst Sci 14 505-520 [10.5194/hess-14-505-2010]

    Puma, M. J., and B. I. Cook. 2010. "Effects of irrigation on global climate during the 20th century." J Geophys Res 115 (D16): D16120 [10.1029/2010JD014122]

    Koster, R. D., Z. Guo, R. Yang, et al. P. A. Dirmeyer, K. Mitchell, and M. J. Puma. 2009. "On the nature of soil moisture in land surface models." J Climate 22 4322-4335 [Full Text (Link)]

    Non-Refereed

    Puma, M. J., S. Chon, and Y. Wada. 2015. "Exploring the potential impacts of historic volcanic eruptions on the contemporary global food system." PAGES 23 (2): 66-67 [Full Text (Link)]

                                                                                                                                                                                            
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