L&S is proud to welcome dozens of new faculty this year, across our four divisions! Our New Faculty Q&A series offer a sneak peek at their research and interests.
Name: Till Wagner
Title: Assistant Professor in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Hometown: Munich, Germany
Educational/professional background: MSci in Physics & Philosophy at University of Bristol (UK), MASt and PhD in Applied Mathematics at University of Cambridge (UK), Postdoc at UC San Diego, 3 years on the faculty at University of North Carolina Wilmington.
What is your field of research, and how did you get into it?
I mostly study polar climate dynamics and ice mechanics. For my MASt I took lots of classes in quantum theory and one “for fun” class on polar oceanography. Next thing I knew I was working toward a PhD on sea ice physics.
What attracted you to UW-Madison?
The research happening here, the students, the campus, the city, the lakes … I’m struggling to think of anything that didn’t attract me to UW.
What was your first visit to campus like?
Prior to visiting here, I had recently been in Canada and Madison at -10F was a comfortable 20F warmer than Manitoba – that plus the warm hospitality of anyone I interacted with made for a great first visit.
Favorite place on campus?
So far my 11th floor office in the AOSS building with its view of the capitol (that being said, I haven’t had much chance to explore).
This is a unique point in time, as we’re returning after more than a year of pandemic. What do you most look forward to?
Interacting with students and colleagues in person – in the classroom and sitting at Aldo’s Cafe chatting about science.
Do you feel your work relates in any way to the Wisconsin Idea? If so, please describe how.
Yes, part of my work is dedicated to understanding how changes in the polar regions affect the climate in lower latitudes. And to communicate these impacts to my students and the wider public in Wisconsin and beyond.
What’s something interesting about your area of expertise you can share that will make us sound smarter at parties, now that we can attend them again?
That the sea ice in the Arctic Ocean doesn’t raise sea levels when it melts. But the land ice on Greenland and on the Antarctic continent does.
Hobbies/other interests:
Exploring the many running and biking trails in town and the surrounding countryside.