CLIMATE CHANGE TRAILBIAZER

For dedication to numerical weather modelling in the service of the Australian and global community

The Bureau Executive 011 the bas is of nominations submitted by senior managers determines medallion recipients within d1e Bureau of .Me teorology.

Dr Kamal Puri is the Research Programme leader for Earth System Modelling Programme and bas led the Bureau of Meteorology's Nmuerical Weather Prediction (N\W) modelling and re~e.'ltch si11ce l 980. He was a key figure in establishing the Australian Conmmniry Climate and Earth Sj•stem Simulator (ACCESS) that enabled the CSIR0 and Bureau of Meteorology co have the best possible scientific tools for c.limace impact and adaptation analysis, and weather forecasting. According to tl1e citation, the I \\7P and climate projection models now rank in the top d1tee internationally, and d1e ACCESS system has generated the data char lies behind much of Australia's concriburion to tl1e fl)CC 5th Assessment Report. Dr Puri h as also been a key advisor in a number of t he Bureau 's major supercomputer acquisitions and in die organisation of R&D coUaboradoos with supercomputer vendors

Originally from Kenya, Dr Puri 1:nigrated to Australia in 1972 after comp leting his PhD from the University of Manchester in the UK Prior to that be completed his BSc (Hons) and Diploma in Advanced studies from the same university. He came to woi::k for CSIR0 Australia as a modeller with the intention of returning after d1ree years; however, he liked Australia and decided to migrate to Me lbourne.

"ln those days there were hardl y any Indians or East Africans here; however the ones tl1at were here fo rm ed a closely knit circle. I still maintain my friendship w ith those I met in my eacly days in Ausrralia," said Dr Puri. " 1 fi n d that the community has chan ged tremendously since then with the inAux of migtancs from diverse backgrounds," he continued.

"Personally I di.ink those were better days when we were so closely knit; now t he community is to o large and widespread for that co be possib le".

Dr Puri is highly respected internationally and has travelled extensively to UK, US and India as a visiting scientist. He is a member of key international panels on earth system modelling and has written over 50 publications.

Dr Puri's lin ks with lndia continue professionall y. I-le is a member of the lotemacional AdvL~ory Conuuictee that was set up by che Indian Government's

Ministry of Earth Sciences to advise the .Ministry on issues rela ting to weather and climate in India. The Panel meets in India annually and is hosted by tl1e MoES.

" Receiving this medal.lion in a special ceremon y held on January 25 was very satisfying and gratifying fot me. It is good to be recognised and respected by m y coUeagues as they are the ones who nominated me for this honour," said Dr Puri.

"Aus tralia is at par with the best in the world as far as weather prediccion and climate change analysis; however we do suffer from lack o f sufficient funding and are behind in the acquisition of supercomputers clue torhe high cost," he claimed.

Speaking about the fumre, Dr Puri said he finds his job very sciniularing and intends to continue his focus on research and modelling.

Preeti Jabbal