Caltech in Seattle
Seattle has a strong Techer community, with more than 1,700 alumni, former postdocs, parents, and donors in the area. From advancing aerospace technology at Boeing to shaping cloud computing at Microsoft, Techers are making an impact across the Pacific Northwest.
This event offers a chance to reconnect with fellow alumni, expand your professional network, and hear from featured speaker Andy Thompson, John S. and Sherry Chen Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering. His research focuses on ocean circulation and climate dynamics, and he will be in attendance to connect with alumni.
Join us at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) for an evening of conversation and connection over hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m. — Guest Arrival and Check-In, networking, food service begins
7:05 p.m. — Faculty Presentation followed by Q&A
7:45 p.m. — Continued conversations, connections and networking
8:30 p.m. — Event Concludes
Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)
860 Terry Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
$25 per guest which includes hors d’oeuvres and drinks
Register by Monday February 24, 2025
Questions? Contact Lance Taylor at info@alumni.caltech.edu or 626-395-6592.
![](https://alumni.caltech.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Andy_Thompson.f00cce91.fill-310x412-c100.format-avif.jpg)
About the Speaker
Andy Thompson, John S. and Sherry Chen Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering; Director, Ronald and Maxine Linde Center for Global Environmental Science; Executive Officer for Environmental Science, will be in attendance.
Dr. Thompson’s research broadly focuses on the ocean’s role in Earth’s climate system, including the ocean’s interactions with the atmosphere, sea ice, and ice sheets. Using a combination of sea-going observations, remote sensing, numerical models, and theory, his work sheds light on how ocean circulation mediates heat and carbon uptake by the ocean as well as sea level change. His research group is particularly focused on polar regions that have experienced dramatic changes in recent decades.
The Future of Polar Exploration: Where the Ocean Meets the Ice
Earth’s polar regions play a crucial role in regulating global climate, influencing atmospheric temperatures and sea levels worldwide. The Antarctic Ice Sheet in particular is undergoing rapid change as warming ocean currents accelerate ice loss. Yet, forecasting the pace and extent of future ice loss remains challenging due to limited access to the ocean-ice interface.
This talk will examine how the Southern Ocean affects the stability of the Antarctic Ice Sheet and what this means for future sea-level rise. It will also highlight Caltech and JPL’s latest advancements in robotic and remote sensing technologies, which are transforming our ability to study ocean-driven melt in these critical environments.