Hydroclimatic Extremes, Impacts and Data Analytics (HEIDA)
Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan
Who we are
Lisa Nguyen
PhD Student
Hello! I’m an Applied Physics PhD student at the University of Michigan. I joined HEIDA in the summer of 2024. Before coming to UM, I double majored in Pure Math and Physics at the University of California, Berkeley. My research focuses on drought synchronicity and its potential impacts on crop production. I’m particularly excited to explore data-driven approaches to address challenges in drought science and contribute to solutions for climate resilience.
Tianxiang Gao
PhD Student
Hello! My name is Tianxiang Gao, and I am a first-year PhD student in the Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering department at the University of Michigan. I completed my undergraduate and master's studies in Atmospheric Science at the University of Science and Technology of China. I am deeply passionate about using advanced data science to study extreme weather events..
Abigail Dolunt
Research Assistant
Hello! My name is Abigail Dolunt and I am an undergraduate student working towards a BSEng in environmental engineering. I started my work with HEIDA in 2023 as a part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program at UMich, and I now work as a research assistant for the lab.
Qifan Wu
Research Assistant
Hi! My name is Qifan Wu. I graduated from University of Michigan with a dual Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture and Information Science. Previously I completed a Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning at Tongji University (China). My research interests center on addressing real-world environmental challenges within urban systems through interdisciplinary research, with emerging data sources and advanced analytical techniques.
Luka Todorovic
Research Assistant
Hello! My name is Luka Todorovic and I am a current undergraduate working towards a B.S. in Pure Mathematics and Statistics, with a minor in Complex Systems. I am passionate about studying extreme weather events and the intersections with climate sciences and mathematics. I have been working with HEIDA since September of 2024, and am now a Research Assistant for Prof. Ombadi.
Alumni
Clark Kaminsky
Master Student; Computer Science
My name is Clark Kaminsky, and I am a Master’s student studying Computer Science here at the University of Michigan. Before this, I graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2023 with degrees in both Environmental Science and Computer Science. A goal of mine has been to study the effects of climate change from a Computer Science-based perspective, and I am especially excited by the potential impacts of recent advances in machine learning and AI on the scientific community.
Vicky Lin
Undergraduate UROP Student
I'm Vicky Lin, and I'm a sophomore majoring in computer science in the College of Literature, Science, and Arts at University of Michigan with an interest in artificial intelligence. I'm also passionate about developing software and algorithms that will make people's lives easier. Outside of classes, I'm part of the Undergraduate Research Program and Michigan Hackers.
Aleksandra Putintceva
Undergraduate UROP Student
My name is Aleksandra Putintceva and I am a first year undergraduate student in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan. I am planning on majoring in electrical engineering and then working in the renewable energy industry upon graduation. Prior to enrolling in the university, I have held intern positions at the Field Museum in Chicago as well as at the University of Chicago. I am very passionate about sustainability and have great curiosity within the realms of data analytics and data science.
Join us
Why University of Michigan?
University of Michigan is # 1 public university in the United States and one of the best higher education institutions in the world, according to the QS World ranking of 2023.
University of Michigan has maintained No. 1 place among U.S. public universities for the seventh consecutive year.
Join the Ombadi Lab
Open Positions
Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Hydrology, Urban Climate and Environmental Science (To apply and learn more about the position description and benefits: Postdoc_2025.pdf). Anticipated start date: June-July, 2025.
PhD Positions: The lab is looking to recruit 1-2 talented students for the PhD program. Application deadline is December 15th, 2024. For prospective PhD students, please complete this form: here.
Phd applications are being reviewed frequently, and those who meet the requirement will be notified to provide further information. Note that this is only a preliminary application, all official applications have to be submitted through Rackham School of Graduate Studies (check this webpage)
For Phd applications, please note that due to the high volume of applications through email, I'm currently unable to respond to most enquiries via email.
Additional Opportunities
I also welcome Postdocs in my research group through the following programs:
Michigan Institute of Data Science (MIDAS) Science Fellow (Link)
The Institute for Global Change Biology (IGCB) Michigan Postdoctoral Fellows Program (Link)
The NOAA Climate and Global Change Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (Link)
The NSF Division of Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship (Link)
The NSF Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (Link)
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (Link)