AGU, AMS honor NCAR scientists

Trenberth, Deser, and Bonan recognized for contributions

Nov 7, 2017 - by Staff

BOULDER, Colo. — Three senior scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) have been recognized by professional organizations for their exceptional contributions in the atmospheric and climate sciences.

NCAR Distinguished Senior Scientist Kevin Trenberth is being awarded the Roger Revelle Medal by the American Geophysical Union (AGU). The honor, named after a renowned oceanographer, is given annually to recognize “outstanding contributions in atmospheric sciences, atmosphere-ocean coupling, atmosphere-land coupling, biogeochemical cycles, climate or related aspects of the Earth system.”

Trenberth is an expert in climate variability and climate change, and he has pioneered research into the interactions between the atmosphere and the oceans, especially the El Niño and La Niño cycle. Trenberth will receive the medal at the AGU annual meeting in December, held this year in New Orleans.

NCAR Senior Scientist Clara Deser has been chosen by the American Meteorological Society (AMS) to be the 2018 Walter Orr Roberts Lecturer at the organization's annual meeting, to be held in January in Austin, Texas. The appointment, named after NCAR's founding director, is conferred in "recognition of significant contributions to the understanding of atmospheric processes derived from multidisciplinary research activities."

Deser's lecture, which will be given Jan. 11, is "New Perspectives on the Role of Internal Variability in Regional Climate Change and Climate Model Evaluation." She uses both models and observations to study climate variability and climate change.

NCAR Senior Scientist Gordon Bonan has been named a fellow of the AMS. Fellows are elected for making "outstanding contributions to the atmospheric or related oceanic or hydrologic sciences or their applications during a substantial period of years."

Bonan's research examines the interactions of terrestrial ecosystems with climate. He specializes in the development of, and experimentation with, models of the Earth's biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere systems.