Roxy Mathew Koll is a climate scientist who has made significant contributions to the science, monitoring, forecasts and climate change projections for South Asia and the larger Indo-Pacific region. His research provides insights into the mechanisms and impacts of climate change on monsoon floods, droughts, cyclones, heat waves and the marine ecosystem. Roxy is among the scientists who have contributed to both modeling and observational aspects of the Indo-Pacific region’s climate with high-quality publications that have societal benefits. The observational and modeling framework that he has been a part of developing is valuable for weather forecasts, disaster management and climate change action plans in South Asia. His research has contributed immensely to understanding and predicting the impact of climate change on the Indian Ocean region, particularly monsoon rainfall and extreme events such as floods and droughts, with implications for food and water security of the region. Roxy was part of the team that developed the first Earth system model for South Asia, which now provides improved projections for monsoon and South Asian climate. The climate model development is in continuation of the efforts toward a seamless prediction of weather and climate and is consistent with his research and model development focusing on monsoon intraseasonal and interannual variability. His modeling efforts were followed up by an observational program that has greatly contributed to the science, monitoring, forecasting and projecting of the monsoon and the Indian Ocean region’s climate. As the chair of the Indian Ocean Region Panel (World Climate Research Programme’s Climate Variability and Predictability Program (CLIVAR)), he helped with the development of a new framework for the Indian Ocean Observing System (IndOOS). The redesign of the observing system was partly based on Roxy’s research on the cause and mechanism of the rapid warming in the Indian Ocean, its impacts on the South Asian monsoon and the marine ecosystem. Roxy’s research is of importance for all monsoon countries, which host nearly half the planet’s population and are most vulnerable to global warming. The importance of the issues Roxy is addressing, his approach and his findings offer effective pathways for developing predictions and projections that can facilitate what-if scenarios for mitigation and adaptation to come what may under global warming in the coming decades over Africa, Asia and Australia. Roxy has also focused on communicating his science to a general audience. He is also collaborating with citizen science networks, local governments and media to bring science to society. — Raghu Murtugudde University of Maryland College Park, Maryland Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Mumbai, India

I am excited and deeply honored that my work has been recognized by the American Geophysical Union. The AGU Devendra Lal Memorial Medal is a huge motivation for my attempts to understand climate science and use it for the benefit of society. South Asia has become a poster child for climate change, and lives and livelihoods are lost in the frequent stampede of extreme weather events. Addressing this, and providing climate solutions, requires a concerted and consistent effort. I plan to continue addressing major problems in climate science and work more closely with the scientific community and society for that. I dedicate this award to my family and friends who stood by me, always. My research career has been delightful due to students and collaborators across institutions and disciplines who make pursuing research in our field an absolute joy. I am particularly grateful to Raghu Murtugudde, who has been an inspiration, mentor and critic for over a decade, to me and many other researchers. My scientific pursuits found meaning when I began working closely with society for climate solutions. I thank these communities, organizations, policymakers and media in India for helping me bridge the gap between science and society. I am happy to hold hands with the Meenachil River and Rain Monitoring group in Kerala to help build climate-equipped schools and colleges for a resilient future. Ensuring diversity and collaboration at the workplace are critical for advancing science, and I learned that by closely working with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and World Climate Research Programme/CLIVAR groups. I thank my institute, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and the Ministry of Earth Sciences for providing the best resources and people to work with. We must invest more in climate research and act swiftly on climate policies for a sustainable, resilient future. This award is a motivation for me — and all researchers working at the forefront of climate change science. — Roxy Mathew Koll Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology Pune, India