Aideen Foley BSc PhD

Marie Curie Experienced Researcher

Research interests focus on the use of Earth system models to determine the extent to which various biogeochemical and socioeconomic processes contribute to uncertainty in the evolution of the coupled Earth system

Biography

From 2003-2007, I studied for a BSc in Applied Mathematics and Experimental Physics at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. I also completed a research internship in science education at the National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University during summer 2006.

I was a research assistant in the School of Geological Sciences, University College Dublin during summer 2007. My work involved assessing the sensitivity of the δ18O-NAO relationship through statistical analysis, to identify the optimum locations within Europe at which to compile δ18O-based proxy records of past NAO variability using speleothems.

I studied for my PhD at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth from October 2007-2010. My doctoral thesis investigated uncertainties in regional climate model simulations, by assessing model skill using various performance metrics and applying a probabilistic Bayesian methodology to developing future climate projections, using multi-model data available from the EU project PRUDENCE.

I am now a Marie Curie Experienced Researcher working within the GREENCYCLES II network, which examines climate change and biospheric feedbacks within the Earth System.

Career

January 2011-present: Marie Curie Experienced Researcher, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
June – September 2007: Research Assistant, School of Geological Sciences, University College Dublin, Ireland.
June – September 2006: Research Intern, National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University, Ireland.

Qualifications

BSc (Double Hons.) Applied Mathematics and Experimental Physics, National University of Ireland, Maynooth.
PhD, National University of Ireland, Maynooth "Quantifying sources of uncertainty in regional climate scenarios for Ireland"

Research

My current research utilizes Earth system modelling to determine the extent to which biogeochemical and socioeconomic processes contribute to uncertainty in the evolution of the coupled Earth system, leading to improved understanding of the evolution of the coupled Earth system on decadal to centennial timescales. I am especially interested in the effects of volcanic activity and associated temperature-induced climate-biogeochemical feedbacks on the evolution of the coupled Earth system.

Publications

Foley, A. M. (2010) Uncertainty in regional climate modelling: A review, Progress in Physical Geography, 34 (5), 647-670.
Baldini, L. M., McDermott, F., Foley, A. M., and Baldini, J. U. L. (2008) Spatial variability in the European winter precipitation δ18O-NAO relationship: Implications for reconstructing NAO-mode climate variability in the Holocene Geophys. Res. Lett. , 35, L04709, doi:10.1029/2007GL032027

External activities

Associate Member, Cambridge Centre for Climate Change Mitigation Research, University of Cambridge
College Research Associate, Clare College.