I visited the Max-Planck Institute for Meteorology (MPI-M) in Germany from October 16-November 30, 2018 through the support from ArCS program for overseas visits by young researchers. I belong to the Atmosphere and Ocean System Laboratory at Niigata University and I am studying the variation of the tropopause, which is the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere. It has been suggested that the tropopause is an indicator of climate change and captures the global warming trend. On the other hand, it is well known that warming in the Arctic region is progressing considerably faster than the global average. During my visit, I aimed to clarify the actual condition of the tropopause variability in the Arctic region and its relationship to global warming and other internal fluctuations.
MPI-M is located in Hamburg, Germany hosting about 200 researchers in atmosphere, ocean and land sciences. I did have a lot of discussion opportunities with Dr. Elisa Manzini, who is my host researcher, along with many researchers from various fields. During a seminar, when I gave a presentation about my results from my preliminary analysis and future research attempts, many oceanographers participated and gave me suggestions, which led to the discovery of new themes. Furthermore, I participated in laboratory workshops, seminars in each field, and Institute’s retreat which, is a big meeting discussing about future policy of the entire research institution. These opportunities allowed me to experience the differences in research life at a research institute and that at the university.
On the holidays, the dinner parties with MPI-M colleagues were so nice. It seems that board games are very popular in Germany and we enjoyed playing various kinds of board games before and after meals. It was very surprising that there were more than 10 versions of games at every house I went to.
Thanks to a lot to all the support from Dr. Manzini and researchers from MPI-M, I was able to spend a very fulfilling visit. I think that the knowledge, experience, and personal connections obtained through my stay will greatly help me in my future research undertaking.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to MPI-M colleagues and ArCS program for overseas visits by young researchers.
Yuki Ishida (Niigata University)
Lunch time with MPI-M scientist
After the party with students and postdoctoral researchers from ocean department
