Leah Hoogstra

PhD Candidate in Applied Mathematics

Brown University · Providence, RI

I work at the intersection of applied mathematics, physical oceanography, and climate science. My current research develops data-driven models to predict sea level at coastal tide gauges, offering fast and flexible alternatives to computationally intensive physics-based simulations — with applications to flood forecasting and climate scenario evaluation.

I'm broadly interested in how mathematical and computational tools can help us understand and communicate the dynamics of our changing ocean and climate system.

Advisors: Dr. Baylor Fox-Kemper & Dr. Mara Freilich

Recent Work

My research spans ocean modeling, machine learning, and mathematical frameworks for understanding complex systems.

Current Project

Machine Learning for Coastal Sea Level Prediction

Advised by Dr. Baylor Fox-Kemper & Dr. Mara Freilich · Brown University

Developing machine-learning models to predict sea level at NOAA tide gauges in Narragansett Bay and surrounding coastal waters. These models provide fast, flexible alternatives to the computationally intensive Ocean State Ocean Model (a ROMS-based physics simulation), benchmarked against both physics-based and tidal predictions. Applications include flood forecasting, climate scenario evaluation, and transferability to other coastal regions.

Completed Project

Quantitative Metrics for Trait and Identity Distributions

Advised by Dr. Björn Sandstede · Brown University

Developed a probabilistic mathematical framework for multidimensional demographic diversity metrics. This work formulates and proves a theorem establishing anti-correlation and tight bounds between "intersecting diversity" and "shared identity," with applications to empirical social datasets.

Preprint

Master's Thesis

Detecting Coherent Transport Structures in Ocean Surface Flows

Advised by Dr. Paul Choboter & Dr. Ryan K. Walter · Cal Poly SLO

Applied Lagrangian coherent structure (LCS) theory to evaluate ocean surface circulation in a Central California offshore Wind Energy Area, comparing FTLE- and geodesic-based hyperbolic LCS detection using HF radar data.

Thesis APS DFD Video

Curriculum Vitae

Full academic CV including research experience, publications, teaching, and awards.

Odds & Ends

A few things beyond the research.

SEAM Seminar

I co-organize the Social Equity and Applied Mathematics (SEAM) Seminar at Brown, which brings together researchers working at the intersection of mathematics and social justice.

Interesting Links

Other Interests

When I'm not doing math or staring at sea level time series, I enjoy rock climbing, hiking, reading, baking, doing puzzles, and spending time with my cats. See them here →