I use theory and numerical simulations to study the shallow and deep convection far from equilibrium. My current work focuses on understanding the fundamental physical mechanisms governing the initiation of deep convection and on designing a new prognostic parameterization for shallow and deep convection. I also work on a new framework for representing convection in km-scale weather and climate models.
PhD in Physics (2024), University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, Thesis: Towards a unified theoretical framework of atmospheric convection parameterization
MSc in Theoretical and Computational Physics (2021), University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, Thesis: The nature of entrainment in turbulent jets and plumes
BSc in Physics (2019), University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics
Aug 2025 - Aug 2027, Marie Curie Research Fellow, Department of Meteorology, University of Reading, UK
Feb 2025 - July 2025, Teaching Assistant (Junior Lecturer), Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, Romania
Jan 2023 - June 2025, Research Assistant, Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Romania
CV Vraciu, J Savre, M Colin, “The rapid transition from shallow to precipitating convection as a predator-prey process”, Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, 17, e2024MS004630 (2025), View here;
CV Vraciu, “Generalized eddy-diffusivity mass-flux formulation for the parameterization of atmospheric convection and turbulence”, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 150, 2316–2337 (2024), View here;
CV Vraciu, IL Kruse, JO Haerter, “The role of passive cloud volumes in the transition from shallow to deep atmospheric convection”, Geophysical Research Letters, 50, e2023GL105996 (2023), View here;
A Marin, CV Vraciu, “Why the turbulent buoyant plumes evolve to round cross sections? A ‘Constructal’ view”, International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 146, 106947 (2023), View here;
CV Vraciu, “On the energy–consistent plume model in the convective boundary layer”, Dynamics of Atmospheres and Oceans, 100, 101330 (2022), View here;