Shirin has previous research experience from her Bachelor degree at the University of Heidelberg and her MSc from Imperial College. For her master’s project, she worked on the interannual variability and predictability of tropical cyclones using a statistical model.
Shirin has also undertaken research internships on decadal climate predictions and event attribution at the Freie Universität Berlin and the University of Oxford.
Outside of atmospheric physics, Shirin has worked on carbon budgeting and accounting for Imperial College and occasionally writes science communication for student publications.
Scholarships and Awards
- St. Cross College scholarship for a DPhil in Environmental Research (2022-2026)
- DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) scholarship for a master's program abroad, total worth of 30,550€ (2022-2023)
- Degree scholarship by Heinrich-Böll Foundation e.V. (2016-2022).
Current Research
Extreme event attribution aims to quantitatively and qualitatively estimate the impact of climate change on extreme weather events. Recent studies have turned to medium-range forecasts to examine weather events of smaller and shorter scales such as mid-latitude cyclones. These type of dynamic events are challenging to forecast more than a week in advance and forecasters hence draw on predictive skill in initial conditions. Shirin’s project aims to develop a methodology to create realistic initial conditions for past and future climate simulations. Success in this field will improve adaptation measures to extreme weather as well as inform loss and damage discussions. This project has CASE support from the UK Met Office.
