David Farnham
About David Farnham
David Farnham is a Senior Innovation Scientist specializing in the vulnerabilities of water and energy infrastructure to climate variability and change. He conducts research aimed at developing tools for decision makers to enhance the resilience of urban infrastructure against extreme weather events.
Current Role at ClimateAI
David Farnham serves as a Senior Innovation Scientist at ClimateAI, a position he has held since 2021. In this role, he focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in water and energy infrastructure due to climate variability and change. His work involves conducting research that supports the design and operation of adaptive and resilient engineered systems, specifically targeting urban infrastructure impacted by extreme weather events.
Professional Experience
Prior to his current role, Farnham worked at several notable institutions. He was a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at the Carnegie Institution for Science from 2018 to 2021, where he conducted research related to climate impacts. Before that, he was a Research Assistant at the University at Buffalo from 2008 to 2012. Additionally, he interned at Taitem Engineering for one year from 2007 to 2008. He also held the position of NSF IGERT Fellow at Columbia University from 2012 to 2018.
Educational Background
David Farnham completed his Ph.D. in Water Resources and Climate Risk Engineering at Columbia University in the City of New York, studying in the Earth and Environmental Engineering Department from 2015 to 2018. He also earned a Master of Science in Water Resources and Climate Risks from the same institution from 2012 to 2015. Earlier, he obtained a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Civil Engineering and Mathematics from the University at Buffalo from 2008 to 2012.
Research Focus and Goals
Farnham's research is centered on developing tools for decision-makers to effectively address the impacts of extreme weather events on urban infrastructure. His work aims to enhance the resilience of water and energy systems by identifying vulnerabilities and proposing adaptive strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change.