Welcome! We focus on Predictability and Applied Research for the Earth-system with Training and Optimization (PARETO). As such, we use machine learning (e.g., neural networks) and numerical modeling systems (e.g., CESM) to answer pressing questions and address challenges in modeling the Earth system. Examples of problems that we are tackling include:
Our research also strives to incorporate open-source software and data, accessible communication, and multi-discipline collaboration (particularly with computer science).
Our group name, PARETO, is inspired by the Pareto frontier, a fundamental concept in optimization theory. The concept was named after the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto (1848-1923) and delineates trade-offs between competing objectives.
Fall 2025 group photo. Pictured from left to right: Assistant Professor Maria J. Molina, Sunny Sharma, Jon Starfeldt, Dean Calhoun, Kyle Hall, Jhayron S. Perez-Carrasquilla, Yamin Guo, and Emily Wisinski. Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow Manuel Titos not pictured. Learn more about our group [here].
If you are interested in joining our group as a graduate researcher, please note that all interested applicants must apply online to be considered.
Recent News
☁ [December] Maria J. Molina earned the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences’ Board of Visitors’ Junior Faculty Award for 2025.
☁ [December] Congratulations to Jhayron S. Perez-Carrasquilla for receiving the Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Prize Fund for Publication Excellence, in recognition of the following publication: Pérez-Carrasquilla, J. S., et al. (2025). Observed and modeled amplification of the frequency, duration, and extreme heat impacts of the Pacific Trough regime. Earth's Future.
☁ [December] Our group will be attending the AGU Fall Meeting in New Orleans, LA. Our schedules have been announced:
- Jhayron’s poster, “A data-driven causal perspective on the origin of the 2021 Pacific Northwest heatwave,” is on Monday, 15 December at 14:15 - 17:45.
- Jonathan’s poster, “Urban Heat MiniCubes: An AI-Ready Dataset for Urban Heat Research and Applications”, is on Wednesday, 17 December at 08:30 - 12:00.
- Jhayron’s poster, “Observed and modeled amplification of the frequency, duration, and extreme heat impacts of the Pacific trough regime,” is on Friday, 19 December at 08:30 - 12:00.
More news available [here].
Recent Publications
☁ *Pérez-Carrasquilla, J. S., M. J. Molina, K. J. Mayer, K. Dagon, J. Fasullo, and I. R. Simpson (2025). Observed and modeled amplification of the frequency, duration, and extreme heat impacts of the Pacific trough regime. Earth's Future. [Link]
☁ *Singh, A., A. M. Ring, D. J. Allen, M. J. Molina, C. Nobles, R. R. Dickerson, R. J. Salawitch, and T. P. Canty (2025). Monitoring Exposure to Tropospheric Ozone Precursors: AQS Site Evaluation and Recommendation. Environmental Research Letters. [Link]
☁ Molina, M. J., A. McGovern, *J. S. Pérez-Carrasquilla, X. Li, and R. Tanamachi (2025). Using Generative Artificial Intelligence Creatively in the Classroom and Research: Examples and Lessons Learned. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. [Link]
More publications available [here].
Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Maryland.
