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About Me
About Me
I am a specialist in scientific project coordination and management with a background in the natural sciences, climate change, and marine science.
In my past projects, we have focused on understanding the dynamics and fundamental controls of global climate change.
My successful leadership and management of projects, most recently from funding by the BMBF and the DAAD in the "Make Our Planet Great Again" programme, showed the dramatic warming and increase in acidity in our tropical oceans.
I am currently part of the coordinating secretariat of The Earth League, an alliance of renowned international scientists working towards solutions for climate change adaptation and transformation to more resilient and sustainable society, as part of the German Committee Future Earth office at the Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS).
With my passion for our nature and the environment, I want to inspire my fellow human beings.
Make Our Planet Great Again
Make Our Planet Great Again
Here's me meeting the former German Federal Minister of Education and Research, Anja Karliczek, and the French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Frédérique Vidal, at the Make Our Planet Great Again Conference in 2019.
Futurium Berlin
Futurium Berlin
Science Communication
Corals can give us details on climate of the past
Make Our Planet Great Again
Mid-Term Event
Make Our Planet Great Again
Mid-Term Event
Here's my public talk for the general audience with snorkels! Skip to 2:23:00
Appointments
Appointments
Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS) - An institution of Helmholtz Center Hereon Hamburg, Germany
2024 - Present : Scientific Officer / Coordinator of The Earth League, DKN German Committee Future Earth
ZMT - Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research Bremen, Germany
2023 - 2024 : UNESCO Ocean Decade Project Coordinator - Online Training Course "Co-Design for the Ocean Science"
The Leibniz Association Berlin, Germany
2023 : Co-Project Coordinator (Volunteer Engagement) - [Leibniz Exploration - Diverse Careers]
ZMT - Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research Bremen, Germany
2018 - 2023 : Junior Research Group Leader (Work Group: Coral Climatology)
ZMT - Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research Bremen, Germany
2017 - 2018 : Postdoctoral Research Scientist
CNRS - French National Centre for Scientific Research Gif-sur-Yvette, France
LSCE - Laboratory of Climate and Environmental Sciences
2015 - 2017 : L-IPSL LABEX Postdoctoral Research Associate
IRD - French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development Bondy, France
LOCEAN - Laboratory of Oceanography and Climate
2015 - 2017 : L-IPSL LABEX Postdoctoral Research Associate
University of Bremen - Faculty of Geosciences Bremen, Germany
2014 : Guest Research Scientist
MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen Bremen, Germany
GLOMAR - Bremen International Graduate School for Marine Sciences
2013-2014 : Postdoctoral Associate
MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen Bremen, Germany
2010-2013 : MARUM Postdoctoral Fellow
Education
Education
2010 Ph.D., Atmospheric Science - Climate and Environmental Systems
University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
2005 M.E.S., Conservation Biology/Resource Management
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
2001 B.S., Environmental Studies - Biology
Minor: East Asian Languages and Culture
Science Communication and Outreach
Science Communication and Outreach
Scientists for Future Deutschland
I gave public talks in German on the special Bremen Tram, Die Klimabahn Bremen
Make Our Planet Great Again - Scientific Research Seminar
My presentation of Project OASIS in the Make Our Planet Great Again seminar series
Spectrum der Wissenschaft - Corals
Click here to read my interview in the most read popular science magazine for German-speaking countries.
University of Bremen and the University of Bremen Research Alliance
Read here about how corals are the frontline witnesses to our ongoing climate emergency.
Corals - Witness to the Climate Emergency
Coral carbon sensitivity and growth impact from anthropogenic CO2 increase
Our most recent study that appeared in Nature Communications indicated the breakdown of carbon isotope relationship and coral skeletal growth suggesting a significant perturbation due to excess atmospheric CO2 that is negatively impacting coral calcification as surface ocean pH declines.
Ocean acidification in the South Pacific
Media reported extensively about a recent study that appeared in Nature Communications. In this study, Wu and colleagues present evidence that links tropical South Pacific seawater pH to the pacing of El Niño Southern Oscillation and that ocean pH has recently been decreasing rapidly.
Publications
Publications
Submitted, Under Review, In Revision, In Prep
Submitted, Under Review, In Revision, In Prep
Ospina, D. et al. (In Revision, Global Sustainability), Ten New Insights in Climate Science 2025
Harbott, M., T. Rixen, H. Kuhnert, S.A. Kasemann, A. Meixner, C. Jimenez, P. Gonzales-Diaz, and H.C. Wu, (In Revision, Scientific Reports), Carbonate chemistry of seawater and calcifying fluid reconstructed from Cuban Siderastrea siderea from the Gulf of Mexico.
2025
2025
Todorović, S., B.K. Linsley, H. Kuhnert, D. Dissard, C. Menkes, and H.C. Wu. (2025). Expanded composite coral indices of South Pacific Convergence Zone oceanographic variability since 1848 CE. Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology, 40, e2025PA005108. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025PA005108
Grottoli, A.G., A.M. Hulver, R. Vega Thurber, R. Toonen, E.R. Schmeltzer, I.B. Kuffner, K.L. Barott, I.B. Baums, K.D. Castillo, L. Chapron, M.A. Coffroth, D.J. Combosch, A.M.S. Correa, E.D. Crandall, M. Donahue, J. Eirin-Lopez, T. Felis, C. Ferrier-Pages, H.B. Harrison, S.F. Heron, D. Huang, A. Humanes, C.D. Kenkel, T. Krueger, J. Madin, M.V. Matz, L.C. McManus, M. Medina, E.M. Muller, J.L. Padilla-Gamino, H.M. Putnam, Y. Sawall, T. Shlesinger, M.J. Sweet, C.R. Voolstra, V.M. Weis, C. Wild, and H.C. Wu, (2025), Future of coral bleaching research. BioScience, 1–14, doi:10.1093/biosci/biaf066.
Schaeffer, R., E.L.F. Schipper, D. Ospina, P. Mirazo, A. Alencar, M. Anvari, P. Artaxo, M.E. Biresselioglu, T. Blome, M. Böckmann, E. Brink, W. Broadgate, M. Bustamante, W. Cai, J.G. Canadell, R. Cardinale, M. Paz Chidichimo, P. Ditlevsen, U. Eicker, S. Feron, M.G. Fikru, S. Fuss, A.T. Gaye, Ö. Gustafsson, N. Harring, C. He, S. Hebden, A. Heilemann, M. Hirota, N. Janardhanan, S. Juhola, T.Y. Jung, K. Jiang, Ş. Kilkiș, N. Kumarasinghe, D. Lapola, J.-Y. Lee, C. Levis, A. Lusambili, J.D. Maasakkers, C. MacIntosh, J. Mahmood, J.S. Mankin, P. Marchegiani, M. Martin, A. Mukherji, T.A. Muñoz-Erickson, Z. Niazi, J. Nyangon, S. Pandipati, A.T.D. Perera, G. Persad, Å. Persson, A. Redman, I. Riipinen, J. Rockström, S. Roffe, J. Roy, B. Sakschewski, B.H. Samset, P. Schlosser, A. Sharifi, W.-Y. Shih, G. B. Sioen, Y. Sokona, D. Stammer, S. Suk, D. Thiam, V. Thompson, E. Tullos, R.M. van Westen, A.M. Vargas Falla, D. J. Vecellio, J. Worden, H.C. Wu, C. Xu, Y. Yang, M. Zachariah, Z. Zhang, and G. Ziervogel, (2025), Ten new insights in climate science 2024. One Earth, 101285, doi:10.1016/j.oneear.2025.101285.
2024
2024
Future Earth, The Earth League, WCRP (2024). 10 New Insights in Climate Science 2024/2025. Stockholm. doi:10.5281/zenodo.13950099. (Non-peer-reviewed).
Todorović, S., H.C. Wu, B.K. Linsley, H. Kuhnert, C. Menkes, A. Isbiakowa, and D. Dissard, (2024), Western Pacific warm pool warming and salinity front expansion since 1821 reconstructed from paired coral δ18O, Sr/Ca, and reconstructed δ18Osw. Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology, 39, e2024PA004843. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024PA004843.
2023
2023
Harbott, M., H.C. Wu, H. Kuhnert, C. Jimenez, P. Gonzales-Diaz, and T. Rixen, (2023), A warming southern Gulf of Mexico: Reconstruction of anthropogenic environmental changes from a Siderastrea siderea coral on the northern coast of Cuba. Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology, doi: 10.1029/2023PA004717.
Kappelmann, Y., H. Westphal, D. Kneer, H.C. Wu, A. Wizemann, J. Jompa, and T. Mann, (2023), Fluctuating sea-level and reversing Monsoon winds drive Holocene lagoon infill in Southeast Asia. Scientific Reports, doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-31976-z.
2022
2022
Asatryan, G., M. Harbott, S. Todorovic, J.O. Kaplan, D. Lazarus, C.E. Lee, C. Parmesan, J. Renaudie, H. Thomas, H.C. Wu, and C.L. Richards, (2022), How Do Organisms Affect and Respond to Climate Change? Frontiers for Young Minds, doi: 10.3389/frym.2022.703195.
Höpker, S.N., H.C. Wu, F. Lucassen, O. Sadio, T. Brochier, I. Nuworkpor, S.A. Kasemann, P. Merschel, and H. Westphal, (2022), Sr isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) in water and fish otoliths as estuarine salinity tracers: Case studies from three NW African rivers. Estuaries and Coasts, doi: 10.1007/s12237-021-01041-x.
2021
2021
Hierl, F., H.C. Wu, and H. Westphal, (2021), Scleractinian corals incorporate microplastic particles: Identification from a laboratory study. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-13240-x.
Zhao, H., M. Yuan, M. Strokal, H.C. Wu, X. Lu, A. Murk, C. Kroeze, and R. Osinga, (2021), Impacts of nitrogen pollution on corals in the context of global climate change and potential strategies to conserve coral reefs. Science of the Total Environment, doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145017.
2020
2020
Grottoli, A.G., R.J. Toonen, R. van Woesik, R. Vega Thurber, M.E. Warner, R.H. McLachlan, J.T. Price, K.D. Bahr, I.B. Baums, K. Castillo, M.A. Coffroth, R. Cunning, K. Dobson, M. Donahue, J.L. Hench, R. Iglesias-Prieto, D.W. Kemp, C.D. Kenkel, D.I. Kline, I.B. Kuffner, J.L. Matthews, A. Mayfield, J. Padilla-Gamino, S. Palumbi, C.R. Voolstra, V.M. Weis, and H.C. Wu, (2020), Increasing comparability among coral bleaching experiments. Ecological Applications, doi: 10.1002/eap.2262.
2019
2019
Höpker, S., H.C. Wu, P. Müller, J.-P. Barusseau, R. Vernet, F. Lucassen, S. Kasemann, H. Westphal, (2019), Pronounced Northwest African monsoon discharge during the mid- to late Holocene. Frontiers in Earth Science – Quaternary Science, Geomorphology, and Paleoenvironment, doi: 10.3389/feart.2019.00314.
Linsley, B.K., R.B. Dunbar, E.P. Dassié, N. Tangri, H.C. Wu, L.D. Brenner, G.M. Wellington, (2019), AUTHOR CORRECTION: Coral carbon isotope sensitivity to growth rate and water depth with paleo-sea level implications. Nature Communications, doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-11041-y.
Linsley, B.K., R.B. Dunbar, E.P. Dassié, N. Tangri, H.C. Wu, L.D. Brenner, G.M. Wellington, (2019), Coral carbon isotope sensitivity to growth rate and water depth with paleo-sea level implications. Nature Communications, doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-10054-x.
2018
2018
Wu, H.C., D. Dissard, E. Douville, D. Blamart, L. Bordier, A. Tribollet, F. Le Cornec, E. Pons-Branchu, A. Dapoigny, and C.E. Lazareth (2018), Surface ocean pH variations since 1689 CE and recent ocean acidification in the tropical South Pacific. Nature Communications, doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-04922-1.
2017
2017
Wu, H.C., T. Felis, D. Scholz, C. Giry, M. Kölling, K.-P. Jochum, and S.R. Scheffers, (2017), Changes to Yucatán Peninsula precipitation associated with salinity and temperature extremes of the Caribbean Sea during the Maya civilization collapse. Scientific Reports, doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-15942-0.
Wu, H.C., D. Dissard, F. Le Cornec, F. Thil, A. Tribollet, A. Moya, and E. Douville (2017), Primary life stage boron isotope and trace elements incorporation in aposymbiotic Acropora millepora coral under ocean acidification and warming. Frontiers in Marine Science – Coral Reef Research, doi: 10.3389/fmars.2017.00129.
Dassié, E.P., 36 coauthors, and H.C. Wu (2017), Save our Marine Archives. Eos AGU, doi: 10.1029/2017EO068159.
Linsley, B.K., H.C. Wu, T. Rixen, C.D. Charles, A.L. Gordon, and M.D. Moore (2017), SPCZ zonal events and downstream influence on surface ocean conditions in the Indonesian Throughflow region. Geophysical Research Letters, doi: 10.1002/2016GL070985.
2015
2015
Müller, P., M. Taylor, A. Klicpera, H.C. Wu, J. Michel, and H. Westphal, (2015), Food for thought: Mathematical approaches for the conversion of high-resolution sclerochronological oxygen isotope records into sub-annually resolved time series. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2015.09.032.
Linsley, B.K., H.C. Wu, E.P Dassié, and D.P. Schrag, (2015), Decadal changes in South Pacific sea surface temperatures and the relationship to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and Upper Ocean Heat Content. Geophysical Research Letters, doi: 10.1002/2015GL063045.
Tierney, J.E., N.J. Abram, K.J. Anchukaitis, M.N. Evans, C. Giry, K.H. Kilbourne, C.P. Saenger, H.C. Wu, and J. Zinke, (2015). Tropical sea-surface temperatures for the past four centuries reconstructed from coral archives. Paleoceanography, doi: 10.1002/2014PA002717.
2014
2014
Wu, H.C., M. Moreau, B.K. Linsley, D.P. Schrag, and T. Corrège, (2014), Investigation of sea surface temperature changes from replicated coral Sr/Ca variations in the eastern equatorial Pacific (Clipperton Atoll) since 1874. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2014.07.039.
Dassié, E.P., B.K. Linsley, T. Corrège, H.C. Wu, G.M. Lemley, S.S. Howe, and G. Cabioch, (2014), A Fiji multi-coral δ18O composite approach to obtaining a more accurate reconstruction of the last two-century of the ocean-climate variability in the South Pacific Convergence Zone region. Paleoceanography, doi: 10.1002/2013PA002591.
2013
2013
Wu, H.C., B.K. Linsley, E.P. Dassié, B. Schiraldi, and P.B. deMenocal, (2013), Oceanographic variability in the South Pacific Convergence Zone region over the last 210 years from multi-site coral Sr/Ca records. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 14, doi: 10.1029/2012GC004293.
Hathorne, E.C., A. Gagnon, T. Felis, J. Adkins, R. Asami, W. Boer, N. Caillon, D. Case, K.M. Cobb, E. Douville, P.B. deMenocal, A. Eisenhauer, C.-D. Garbe-Schönberg, W. Geibert, S. Goldstein, K. Hughen, M. Inoue, H. Kawahata, M. Kölling, F. Le Cornec, B.K. Linsley, H.V. McGregor, P. Montagna, I.S. Nurhati, T.M. Quinn, J. Raddatz, H. Rebaubier, L. Robinson, A. Sadekov, R. Sherrell, D. Sinclair, A.W. Tudhope, G. Wei, H. Wong, H.C. Wu, C.-F. You, (2013), Inter-laboratory study for coral Sr/Ca and other element/Ca ratio measurements. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 14, doi: 10.1002/ggge.20230.
2010
2010
Wu, H.C. and A.G. Grottoli, (2010), Stable oxygen isotope records of corals and a sclerosponge in the Western Pacific Warm Pool. Coral Reefs, 28, doi: 10.1007/s00338-009-0576-7.
Scientific Data Management
Scientific Data Management
Supplement to: Höpker, S; Wu, HC; Müller, P et al.: Pronounced Northwest African monsoon discharge during the mid- to late Holocene. Earth and Planetary Science Letters.
Related to: Höpker, S; Wu, HC; Müller, P et al.: Pronounced Northwest African monsoon discharge during the mid- to late Holocene.
Related to: Höpker, S; Wu, HC; Müller, P et al.: Pronounced Northwest African monsoon discharge during the mid- to late Holocene.
Related to: Höpker, S; Wu, HC; Müller, P et al.: Pronounced Northwest African monsoon discharge during the mid- to late Holocene.
Supplement to: Wu, HC; Moreau, M; Linsley, BK et al. (2014): Investigation of sea surface temperature changes from replicated coral Sr/Ca variations in the eastern equatorial Pacific (Clipperton Atoll) since 1874. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology
Supplement to: Wu, HC; Dissard, D; Le Cornec, F et al. (2017): Primary Life Stage Boron Isotope and Trace Elements Incorporation in Aposymbiotic Acropora millepora Coral under Ocean Acidification and Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science
Supplement to: Wu, HC; Dissard, D; Douville, E et al.: Surface ocean pH variations since 1689 CE and recent ocean acidification in the tropical South Pacific. Nature Communications
Linsley, BK (2017): Coral derived d18Oseawater data from Tonga, core TH1
Related to: Wu, HC; Linsley, BK; Dassié, EP et al. (2013): Oceanographic variability in the South Pacific Convergence Zone region over the last 210 years from multi-site coral Sr/Ca records. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Supplement to: Wu, HC; Felis, T; Scholz, D et al. (2017): Changes to Yucatán Peninsula precipitation associated with salinity and temperature extremes of the Caribbean Sea during the Maya civilization collapse. Scientific Reports
Related to: Wu, HC; Felis, T; Scholz, D et al. (2017): Changes to Yucatán Peninsula precipitation associated with salinity and temperature extremes of the Caribbean Sea during the Maya civilization collapse. Scientific Reports
Related to: Wu, HC; Felis, T; Scholz, D et al. (2017): Changes to Yucatán Peninsula precipitation associated with salinity and temperature extremes of the Caribbean Sea during the Maya civilization collapse. Scientific Reports
Related to: Wu, HC; Felis, T; Scholz, D et al. (2017): Changes to Yucatán Peninsula precipitation associated with salinity and temperature extremes of the Caribbean Sea during the Maya civilization collapse. Scientific Reports
Related to: Wu, HC; Felis, T; Scholz, D et al. (2017): Changes to Yucatán Peninsula precipitation associated with salinity and temperature extremes of the Caribbean Sea during the Maya civilization collapse. Scientific Reports
Related to: Wu, HC; Felis, T; Scholz, D et al. (2017): Changes to Yucatán Peninsula precipitation associated with salinity and temperature extremes of the Caribbean Sea during the Maya civilization collapse. Scientific Reports
Related to: Wu, HC; Felis, T; Scholz, D et al. (2017): Changes to Yucatán Peninsula precipitation associated with salinity and temperature extremes of the Caribbean Sea during the Maya civilization collapse. Scientific Reports
Related to: Wu, HC; Felis, T; Scholz, D et al. (2017): Changes to Yucatán Peninsula precipitation associated with salinity and temperature extremes of the Caribbean Sea during the Maya civilization collapse. Scientific Reports
Supplement to: Wu, HC; Linsley, BK; Dassié, EP et al. (2013): Oceanographic variability in the South Pacific Convergence Zone region over the last 210 years from multi-site coral Sr/Ca records. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
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