PhD Graduate ZHENG Yiling Awarded the CUHK Young Scholars Thesis Award 2024

We are very pleased to announce that our PhD graduate ZHENG Yiling has received the CUHK Young Scholars Thesis Award 2024 for her research on the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), a major global climate driver. Her thesis presents four key insights into the behaviour of the IOD phenomenon and its future evolution under global warming.

The study begins by identifying the reasons Earth System Models tend to underestimate IOD’s natural asymmetry. It then projects that, under global warming, this asymmetry is likely to weaken, resulting in more frequent and intense extreme negative IOD events. In addition, the research reveals a shift in the IOD’s spatial pattern, suggesting changes in how its effects are manifested across regions. The analysis concludes by demonstrating how these transformations will alter the IOD’s climate influences, with increased drought risks projected for Eastern Africa and intensified climate impacts anticipated for Australia.

These findings underscore the urgent need to improve Earth System Models to support effective climate adaptation strategies.