CliMAte ChAnge trAilblAzer

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

weather forecasting. According to the citation, the NWP and climate projection models now rank in the top three internationally, and the ACCESS system has generated the data that lies behind much of Australia’s contribution to the IPCC 5th Assessment Report. Dr Puri has also been a key advisor in a number of the Bureau’s major supercomputer acquisitions and in the organisation of R&D collaborations with supercomputer vendors.

Originally from Kenya, Dr Puri migrated to Australia in 1972 after completing his PhD from the University of Manchester in the UK. Prior to that he completed his BSc (Hons) and Diploma in Advanced studies from the same university. He came to work for CSIRO Australia as a modeller with the intention of returning after three years; however, he liked Australia and decided to migrate to Melbourne.

“In those days there were hardly any Indians or East Africans here; however the ones that were here formed a closely knit circle. I still maintain my friendship with those I met in my early days in Australia,” said Dr Puri. “I find that the community has changed tremendously since then with the influx of migrants from diverse backgrounds,” he continued.

“Personally I think those were better days when we were so closely knit; now the community is too large and widespread for that to be possible”.

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 links with India continue professionally. He is a member of the International Advisory Committee that was set up by the Indian Government’s

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

“Receiving this medallion in a special ceremony held on January 25 was very satisfying and gratifying for me. It is good to be recognised and respected by my colleagues as they are the ones who nominated me for this honour,” said Dr Puri.

“Australia is at par with the best in the world as far as weather prediction and climate change analysis; however we do suffer from lack of sufficient funding and are behind in the acquisition of supercomputers due tothe high cost,” he claimed.

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

Preeti Jabbal