Lisa Alexander

Professor Lisa Alexander is a climate scientist at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), holding the rank of Professor. She serves as a Chief Investigator and contributes to international climate initiatives including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), where she was a Lead Author for the 5th Assessment Report and contributed to assessments in 2001, 2007, and 2021.

Her educational background includes:

• Bachelor of Science
• Master of Science in Applied Mathematics
• PhD from Monash University

Professor Alexander's research centers on climate extremes, specifically investigating the variability and driving mechanisms of temperature and rainfall extremes globally. Her work provides critical insights for climate adaptation and risk assessment, with significant applications in IPCC reports and climate services development. She examines how anthropogenic factors influence extreme weather patterns and develops methodologies for attributing climate impacts.

Analysis of her 2024-2025 publications reveals two distinct research streams: climate science (focusing on extreme weather events, precipitation modeling, and climate change attribution) and molecular biology (specializing in CRISPR gene-editing systems and protein engineering). This interdisciplinary pattern suggests active collaboration across departments despite her primary affiliation with climate science.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• 2011 Priestley Medal by the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
• 2013 Australian Academy of Science Dorothy Hill Award
• Fellow of the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (2020)

Professor Alexander chairs a World Meteorological Organisation Expert Team and serves on the Executive Committee of the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences and the Joint Scientific Committee of the World Climate Research Programme. Her work in co-producing climate services addresses implementation challenges for decision-makers facing climate extremes.