Dr. Noah Diffenbaugh

Professor

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Biography

Noah Diffenbaugh is the William Wrigley Professor and Kimmelman Family Senior Fellow in the Department of Earth System Science at Stanford University. His research focuses on understanding how various aspects of the climate system impact ecosystems and people directly. He has served as a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and held the role of Editor-in-Chief for multiple peer-reviewed journals, including Geophysical Research Letters and Environmental Research: Climate. Diffenbaugh's contributions to the field have garnered significant recognition, including his election as a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union and multiple awards such as the James R. Holton Award. His integrated approach to research covers climate dynamics and impacts, with an emphasis on the interactions between physical climate processes and human vulnerabilities. Diffenbaugh has actively participated in committees and panels at both the national and scientific levels, contributing his expertise to inform policy and understanding of climate issues. His ongoing work aims to bridge the gap between fine-scale climate processes and their implications for climate-sensitive systems, employing numerical modeling and data analysis techniques to uncover insights about climate change.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2025-01-01 — Present

Stanford University • Stanford, California

William Wrigley Professor, Department of Earth System Science.

Chair

2023-01-01 — Present

Stanford University • Stanford, California

Chair, Department of Earth System Science.

Senior Fellow

2017-01-01 — Present

Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University • Stanford, California

Kimmelman Family Senior Fellow.

Professor

2016-01-01 — Present

Stanford University • Stanford, California

Professor of Earth System Science.

Associate Professor

2013-01-01 — 2016-01-01

Stanford University • Stanford, California

Associate Professor of Environmental Earth System Science.

Assistant Professor

2009-01-01 — 2013-01-01

Stanford University • Stanford, California

Assistant Professor of Environmental Earth System Science.

Adjunct Associate Professor

2009-01-01 — Present

Purdue University • West Lafayette, Indiana

Adjunct Associate Professor of Earth Atmospheric Sciences.

Associate Professor

2008-01-01 — 2009-01-01

Purdue University • West Lafayette, Indiana

Associate Professor of Earth Atmospheric Sciences.

Assistant Professor

2004-01-01 — 2008-01-01

Purdue University • West Lafayette, Indiana

Assistant Professor of Earth Atmospheric Sciences.

Courses

SUSTAIN 101C ESS 267 ESS 306 EARTHSYS 297 ENVRES 398 EARTHSYS 250 ENVRES 399 ESS 400 EARTHSYS 199 ESS 305 LAW 809V SUSTAIN 213

Requirements for Stanford University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:26
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:160
Quantitative
Required:165
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Overall
Required:4.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree from an accredited institution Strong background in mathematics and programming
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

The Computer Science department emphasizes research potential. GRE General is currently optional but recommended for some tracks.