Rate My Professor Valerio Lucarini

Professor Valerio Lucarini is Professor of Applied Mathematics in the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Leicester, where he leads the Mathematical and Computational Modelling research group, coordinates research activities in mathematical modelling for science and engineering, and is affiliated with the Institute of Environmental Futures and the Center for Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Modelling. He holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Eastern Finland (2003), an MSc in Climate Physics and Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2002), a Diploma in Physics from Scuola Normale Superiore (1999), and a Laurea in Physics from the University of Pisa (1999). His career trajectory includes serving as Professor of Statistical Mechanics and Director of the Centre for Mathematics of Planet Earth at the University of Reading (2016–2024), Professor of Theoretical Meteorology at the University of Hamburg (2011–2016), Lecturer in Meteorology and Mathematics at the University of Reading (2009–2011), Assistant Professor in Earth System Physics at the University of Bologna (2007–2009), and Postdoctoral Researcher at the CINFAI Consortium in Italy (2004–2007). Lucarini has taught courses in statistical mechanics, dynamical systems, dynamical meteorology, and climate physics, and delivered short courses at institutions such as Beijing Normal University, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Centro Euromediterraneo per i Cambiamenti Climatici, Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, TERI University, and Eötvös Loránd University.

Recognized as a world leader in mathematical geophysics, particularly the mathematics of climate, Professor Lucarini applies statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, dynamical systems theory, and probability theory to study climate variability and change through response theory, response theory for nonequilibrium systems, tipping points and metastability of the climate system, climate model evaluation via thermodynamics, extreme events, parametrizations for multiscale systems, and dispersion relations for nonlinear optical materials. His recent work includes modelling the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and exploring tipping points in complex climate systems. He leads initiatives in projects such as EPSRC LINK, Horizon Europe ClimTIP, TiPES, CriticalEarth, and P2T, aimed at advancing understanding of climate tipping points. Lucarini's influence is underscored by prestigious honors: Keilis-Borok Medal (International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, 2024), Member of Academia Europaea (2022), SIAM Mathematics of Planet Earth Prize (2022), AGU Lorenz Lecture (2021), EGU L.F. Richardson Medal (2020), LMS Whitehead Prize (2018), Von Humboldt Connect Fellowship (2018), EGU Outstanding Young Scientist Award (2010), Volta Prize (2006), and Italian Physical Society Award for Best Young Scientist (2000).