Doris Kyerewaa Akoto

 

Research title: Downscaling and Prediction of Rainfall Extremes from Climate Model Outputs (RainX)

Research Summary

My research focuses on downscaling and predicting rainfall extremes from climate model outputs to improve understanding of extreme precipitation events in Scotland. Using the latest GPU-optimised ICON General Circulation Model (GCM), I develop computationally efficient empirical statistical downscaling (ESD) models to translate coarse-scale climate information into high-resolution local projections.

By combining statistical modeling, extreme value theory and climate data analysis, my work aims to enhance the prediction of rainfall extremes under future climate scenarios. The outcomes of this research will contribute to improved risk assessment, climate adaptation planning and flood management in Scotland and beyond.

Supervisors

External supervisors

Dr. Dave Mckay

Grants

ExaGEO NERC Doctoral Landscape Award
Funded through the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the ExaGEO Doctoral Landscape Award supports research in Exascale Computing for Earth, Environmental, and Sustainability Solutions.
My PhD project “Downscaling and Prediction of Rainfall Extremes from Climate Model Outputs (RainX)”  is funded under this initiative.

The ExaGEO programme provides interdisciplinary training in high-performance GPU computing, environmental modelling and data-driven climate prediction, fostering collaboration between the University of Glasgow, the University of Edinburgh (EPCC), and other UK research partners.

https://www.exageo.org/ 

Teaching

Lab Demonstrator – Theoretical and Applied Climatology (EARTH5019)

Assist in guiding practical sessions, supporting students with data analysis and interpretation, and providing feedback on climatological modeling exercises. The course explores the physical principles of climatology and their application to understanding atmospheric processes and climate variability.

Additional Information

  • Scholarship Recipient: Fully funded under the ExaGEO NERC Doctoral Landscape Award.

  • Previous Education: BSc in Meteorology and Climate Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana ,Earth System Physics at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP).

  • Research Interests: Climate variability, rainfall extremes, atmospheric dynamics, and empirical statistical downscaling techniques.

  • Professional Development: Active member of women-in-science networks and participant in scientific workshops focused on climate modeling and data assimilation.


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