University of Arizona Advances Climate Feedback Study With AI and Genomics
The University of Arizona (U of A) is at the forefront of advancing climate science, earning a $610,166 grant from the Department of Energy as part of an $8 million initiative to improve global climate models. Researchers in U of A’s Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences are pioneering the integration of genomics and artificial intelligence (AI) to better understand the critical role soil plays in the Earth's carbon cycle.
Led by Assistant Professor Yang Song, the team is studying how microbial communities in soil—tiny yet powerful drivers of greenhouse gas emissions—respond to environmental changes. Using cutting-edge genomics and AI, they aim to map microbial diversity and its impact on soil carbon dynamics across the globe. Their findings will enhance the DOE’s Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM), a state-of-the-art climate simulation tool.
By addressing uncertainties in soil carbon feedback and its influence on climate change, U of A’s research could reshape climate risk modeling, inform international climate policies, and offer actionable strategies for managing soil as a critical carbon sink. This breakthrough positions the university as a leader in harnessing technology to combat climate change.