Christine Dow, University of Waterloo

Research

ice dynamics numerical modeling glacial geophysics field data collection glacier climate interactions glacier substrate glacier surface processes subglacial hydrology

Latest papers

Impacts of bed topography resolution on sea-level rise projections from coupled subglacial hydrology and ice dynamics for Thwaites Glacier, Antarctica.
Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences · 2026 · senior author
Synthetic bed topographies for Antarctica and their utility in ice sheet modelling.
Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences · 2026 · senior author
Widespread seawater intrusions beneath the grounded ice of Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2024 · senior author

All 3 publications

Latest funding

Training for novel directions in quantitative climate science
NSERC · 2024 · Co-investigator
$132,000
A helicopter-borne radar system for Canadian glacier mass assessment
NSERC · 2022 · Principal investigator
$149,189
Glacier Hydrology and Ice Dynamics
NSERC · 2021 · Principal investigator
$100,000

All 9 grants and awards

3 publications.

01

Impacts of bed topography resolution on sea-level rise projections from coupled subglacial hydrology and ice dynamics for Thwaites Glacier, Antarctica.

Ehrenfeucht S, Dow C

Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2024.0545 PMID: 42021661

02

Synthetic bed topographies for Antarctica and their utility in ice sheet modelling.

McCormack FS, Stål T, Shao N, MacKie E, Fabela Hinojosa A, Lösing M, Roberts J, Ehrenfeucht S, Dow C

Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2024.0537 PMID: 42021660

03

Widespread seawater intrusions beneath the grounded ice of Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica.

Rignot E, Ciracì E, Scheuchl B, Tolpekin V, Wollersheim M, Dow C

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America2024Senior author

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2404766121 PMID: 38768351

Training for novel directions in quantitative climate science

Co-investigatorNSERC2024Collaborative Research and Training Experience

Principal investigators: Stastna, Marek M

Keywords: data science; earth system modeling; high performance computing; machine learning; meterorology; oceanography

$132,000

A helicopter-borne radar system for Canadian glacier mass assessment

Principal investigatorNSERC2022Research Tools and Instruments

Principal investigators: Dow, Christine

$149,189

Glacier Hydrology and Ice Dynamics

Principal investigatorNSERC2021Canada Research Chairs

Principal investigators: Dow, Christine

Keywords: numerical modeling; ice sheets; glacial hydrology; ice-ocean interaction; ice dynamics; glaciology; glacial geophysics

$100,000

Wireless probes for subglacial analyses of surging glaciers

Principal investigatorSSHRC2018New Frontiers in Research Fund - Exploration

Principal investigators: Dow, Christine

Keywords: glaciers; surging glacier; wireless instrumentation;ice dynamics; Traditional Knowledge; glacier hazards; climate change; numerical modeling

$273,310

A multi-scale analysis of subglacial hydrology and ice dynamics

Principal investigatorNSERC2017Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Dow, Christine

$161,000

A comprehensive analysis of surging glacier dynamics and controls in the Yukon Territory, Canada

Principal investigatorNSERC2017Discovery Grants Program - Northern Research Supplement

Principal investigators: Dow, Christine CF

Keywords: field data collection; glacial geophysics; glacier climate interactions; glacier substrate; glacier surface processes; ice dynamics; numerical modeling; subglacial hydrology; surging glaciers; water resources

$105,000

Glacier Hydrology and Ice Dynamics

Principal investigatorNSERC2016Canada Research Chairs

Principal investigators: Dow, Christine

$340,000

Glacier Hydrology and Ice Dynamics

Principal investigatorNSERC2016Canada Research Chairs

Principal investigators: Dow, Christine

$120,000

Glacier Hydrology And Ice Dynamics

Principal investigatorNSERC2016Canada Research Chairs

Principal investigators: Dow, Christine

$120,000

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

Write to this professor

A short, specific email works best. This draft uses one of their recent papers; replace the parts in brackets with your own details before sending.

Applying for

Paper to mentionMention their NSERC grant from 2022

Subject: Prospective PhD student: ice dynamics Dear Professor Dow, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "Impacts of bed topography resolution on sea-level rise projections from coupled subglacial hydrology and ice dynamics for Thwaites Glacier, Antarctica." (2026), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] I also saw your NSERC-funded project "A helicopter-borne radar system for Canadian glacier mass assessment" (2022), and I would be glad to contribute to work in that direction. Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]