Bethany Sutherland Ph.D.

  • Postdoctoral Researcher
Bethany Sutherland

I quantify how changes in greenhouse gas emissions from Arctic ecosystems are impacting the energy balance of the region’s atmosphere. My research aims to better understand feedback loops in a rapidly changing Arctic.

My expertise in atmospheric modeling, remote sensing, and radiative transfer is driven by my passion for learning more about Earth’s atmosphere. I am enthusiastic about employing advanced mathematical techniques, sophisticated modeling approaches, and state of the art measurement methods to advance our ability to observe and model the atmosphere. By creating a better understanding of our atmosphere’s intricate systems, I hope to support more informed decision making for climate action.

I earned a B.S. in physics from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and a M.S. in applied mathematics from the University of Washington, then worked as a post-masters research associate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Before joining Woodwell Climate, I earned my Ph.D. in atmospheric science from North Carolina State University. I grew up in Los Alamos, NM, which nurtured my love for mountains and science from a young age. In my free time, I enjoy oil painting, hiking, and camping.

Projects

Map by Greg Fiske showing extent of the northern hemisphere tundra (yellow) and boreal (green) regions. The Arctic circle is shown by the dotted line.

Radiative Forcing of Arctic Carbon

Understanding how changes in carbon processes in the far north impact Earth’s energy balance