Kath Landgren is a CIRES postdoctoral visiting fellow with C-SEF using mathematical models to study public support for climate policy. Landgren has a Ph.D. in applied mathematics from Cornell University, and she is passionate about multidisciplinary research that brings mathematicians and scientists together to solve problems. Her current research is focused on building a mathematical model of how social network structure and media coverage affect widespread underestimation of public support for climate policy. When Landgren needs a break from work, you can find her in the gym, weightlifting. “When I was introduced to weightlifting and was told, ‘You just need to do this five times, and you'll be really sore tomorrow!’ I got hooked,” she explained. As for her other hobbies—one day, she hopes to travel across Eurasia taking only trains!

Humans of CIRES Q&A

Q: Describe what you do at CIRES.
I study public support for climate policy using mathematical models.

Q: What are you most passionate about professionally?
I love mathematical modeling as a fundamentally translational work: it translates real-world phenomena into the language of mathematics, and it requires back-and-forth communication between mathematicians and scientists. I care deeply about creating multidisciplinary environments, where such work is possible and necessary.

Q: Dream vacation?
I would love to go all across Eurasia taking only trains!

Q: Favorite sport?
I absolutely love weightlifting. Growing up, I had this idea that sports involved doing something a hundred times. So when I was introduced to weightlifting and was told, "You just need to do this five times, and you'll be really sore tomorrow!" I got hooked. It brings a lot of clarity and a sense of accomplishment, and the simple arithmetic is a welcome break from the harder problems I encounter at work.