Molly Erin Menzel
Molly Erin Menzel

Atmospheric Scientist

Researcher, Learner, Instructor

Hi! My name is Molly Menzel, welcome to my personal page. I study our planet’s atmosphere by using both idealized and fully comprehensive climate models to better understand the dynamics involved. These models present valuable insight and allow us to further develop theory that describes past, present, and future climates. I hold a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University and previously completed a NASA Postdoctoral Program fellowship at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies. My latest research is focused on developing a better understanding of the relationship between the upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric circulation features, and how that impacts the tropics, the midlatitudes, as well as stratospheric transport. In addition to research, I actively seek out opportunities to teach the dynamics of our climate to students and the general public alike. Currently, I am a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow working at the Department of State’s Bureau of Near East Affairs. See my CV for an updated list of activities.

Interests
  • Large-scale Atmospheric Circulation
  • Troposphere-Stratosphere Connections
  • Climate Dynamics
Education

  • PhD in Earth and Planetary Sceiences

    Johns Hopkins University

  • MSc in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

    McGill University

  • BSc in Engineering Science and Mechanics

    Virginia Tech

Refereed Publications
Molly E Menzel, Clara Orbe, Lorenzo Polvani (2025). Distinguishing the Direct Radiative, Surface Warming, and Ozone Mediated Contributions to the Acceleration of the Brewer-Dobson circulation under Abrupt CO2 Forcing (in preparation)". Journal of Climate.
Molly E Menzel, Clara Orbe (2025). Winter Patterns of the Hadley Circulation's Response to Increased CO2 are Distinct between the Upper and Lower Troposphere (in revision). Journal of Climate.
Molly E Menzel, Darryn Waugh, Zheng Wu, Thomas Reichler (2024). Replicating the Hadley Cell edge and subtropical jet latitude disconnect in idealized atmospheric models. Weather and Climate Dynamics.
Cite DOI
Molly E Menzel, Darryn Waugh, Clara Orbe (2022). Connections between upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric circulation responses to increased CO2. Journal of Climate.
Cite DOI
Molly E Menzel, Darryn Waugh, Kevin Grise (2019). Disconnect Between Hadley Cell and Subtropical Jet Variability and Response to Increased CO2. Geophysical Research Letters.
Cite DOI
See all
Selected Presentations

AGU's 2024 Annual Meeting (invited)

Isolating the Interactive Ozone, Direct Radiative, and Surface Warming Impacts on the Whole Atmospheric Circulation Response to Increased CO2

See all

Teaching and Mentorship

  1. Dean's Prize Fellowship

    Freshman Seminar: Communicating Climate Science
    Recipient of a prize teaching fellowship from Johns Hopkins University’s Krieger School of Arts and Sciences to reteach my previous course as a freshman seminar in Fall 2021.

  2. Dean's Teaching Fellowship

    Communicating Climate Science
    Recipient of a competitive teaching fellowship from Johns Hopkins University’s Krieger School of Arts and Sciences. This fellowship allows advanced PhD student s to design and instruct their own course. The course I taught in Fall 2020 is titled ‘Communicating Climate Science.’

  3. Guest Lecturer

    Present and Future Climates
    Provided 2 weeks of guest lectures to Present and Future Climates as the teaching assistant for the course.

  4. Teaching Assistant

    AS.270.378/641 | Present and Future Climates

  5. Completion of Teaching Academy

    JHU Teaching Academy

  6. Teaching Assistant

    ATOC 215 | Oceans, Weather, and Climate

  7. Teaching Assistant

    ATOC 181 | Introduction to Atmospheric Science