Dr Ashar Aslam

Profile

I am a postdoctoral research fellow in the Atmospheric and Cloud Dynamics research group in the Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science (ICAS). My broader interests lay within the realms of tropical meteorology, from understanding fine-scale mechanisms associated with mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), to the influences of large-scales modes of variability on deep convection, to the role of ocean-atmosphere interactions.

Previously, I completed an integrated Master’s degree in Earth Sciences from the University of Oxford, before doing a PhD in ICAS focusing on the processes which influence patterns in rainfall across the Maritime Continent in southeast Asia.

Research interests

My current research utilises a suite of global, pan-tropical and limited-area climate simulations at the kilometre-scale to understand their benefits in representation of deep convection. This work is part of the UPSCALE project, a collaboration between the University of Leeds, UK Met Office, University of Reading, and UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, to analyse how improvements in the representation of convection can have upscale influences on large-scale atmospheric circulation and dynamics.

During my PhD, I was involved strongly with the TerraMaris research community, and remain a part of the WCSSP Southeast Asia broader group, both of which brought together researchers and forecasters focused on weather and climate processes, and associated impacts (physically and socially) over the Maritime Continent.

Outside of my core research, I am involved in and am passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within the geosciences. I currently co-organise the Royal Meteorology Society’s Diverse Voices seminar series which aims to champion and amplify people from underrepresented backgrounds who work in UK meteorology and climate. I have also undertaken several mentorship and outreach positions focused on geoscience accessibility, and LGBTQ+ inclusion within STEM.

Qualifications

• PhD in Tropical Meteorology, University of Leeds (SENSE CDT)
• MEarthSci Earth Sciences, University of Oxford

Professional memberships

• Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS)
• European Geosciences Union (EGU)

Student education

I have previously demonstrated on undergraduate modules related to data analysis and running of weather/climate models, and co-supervise on MSc and BSc dissertation projects.

Research groups and institutes

• Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science
• Dynamics and Clouds