Dr. Leanne Archer is a Researcher in the School of Geographical Sciences at the University of Bristol, specializing in hydrology and climate change impacts. Her work focuses on flood risk assessment in Small Island Developing States, extreme rainfall events, and the application of convection-permitting climate models. She collaborates with experts like Prof. Paul Bates and Dr. Jonty Rougier on interdisciplinary projects addressing tropical cyclone hazards and climate adaptation strategies. Her research interests include analyzing flood exposure in vulnerable regions, soil moisture dynamics in urban flooding, and improving global flood forecasts for humanitarian operations. Archer’s publications emphasize the implications of climate change on rainfall-driven disasters, particularly in Puerto Rico and East Africa, using high-resolution climate projections to evaluate future risks under 1.5° C and 2° C warming scenarios. Recent work explores innovations like the Surface Water Ocean Topography Mission for flood modeling and evaluates the suitability of TanDEM-X data for inundation studies in island nations. Her contributions bridge environmental science with policy, aiming to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience in climate-sensitive regions.
Richard E. Turner is a Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Cambridge's Department of Engineering and Research Lead for AI for Weather Prediction at the Alan Turing Institute. He serves as Cambridge Lead for the EPSRC Probabilistic AI Hub and previously held roles including Visiting Researcher at Microsoft Research, Co-Director of the AI4ER CDT, and Course Director for the Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence MPhil program. Current research focuses on probabilistic machine learning fundamentals, environmental prediction (weather/climate), and spatio-temporal modeling combining deep learning with Bayesian methods Supervised 26 PhD students (13 graduated) and 7 research assistants/associates Secured over £30M in research funding from EPSRC, Microsoft, Toyota, Google, DeepMind, Amazon, and Improbable Featured in BBC Radio 5 Live's The Naked Scientist, BBC World Service's Click, and Wired Magazine His recent publications demonstrate expertise in diffusion models for PDE simulations, Gaussian Processes for environmental applications, and Bayesian methods for spatio-temporal forecasting. Key trends include climate modeling using ML, neural PDE solvers, and scalable probabilistic inference. Awards : Cambridge Students' Union Teaching Award for Lecturing; supervised Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship winner Collaborations : Microsoft Research (AI4Science), Alan Turing Institute, EPSRC Probabilistic AI Hub Turner leads the Turner Group within Cambridge's Machine Learning Group, focusing on uncertainty-aware ML for scientific applications. Current research assistants work on topics like meta-learning, Bayesian inference, and climate science applications.
Justin Sheffield is a Professor of hydrology and remote sensing and Head of the School of Geography and Environmental Science at the University of Southampton, UK. He holds a BSc in Mathematics with Oceanography (1989), MSc in Engineering Mathematics (1992), and PhD in Hydroclimatology (2008). His research focuses on large-scale hydrology, climate variability, hydrological extremes, and applications to natural hazards mitigation, with emphasis on water and food security in developing regions. Key research interests include drought monitoring/prediction, climate change impacts, and remote sensing integration. He leads projects like APP3793 (heat-related health risks) and EO-Africa (agricultural water management). Awards include the Prince Sultan Prize (2014), Plinius Medal (2013), and Robert E. Horton Lecturer (2019). His work spans global collaborations, including projects with the FAO and ESA, and he advises on PhD students. Notable publications address drought indices, crop yield modeling, and climate adaptation strategies.
Andrew Friend is a Researcher at the University of Cambridge , affiliated with the Department of Geography . His work focuses on terrestrial ecosystem dynamics, particularly the interplay between vegetation, carbon fluxes, and climate systems. He develops process-based computer models to simulate vegetation growth, competition, and carbon cycle responses, while also conducting experimental and field studies in collaboration with institutions like the Sainsbury Laboratory, NIAB, and Forestry England. Friend’s research integrates plant physiological knowledge with global vegetation modeling . Key interests include source-sink carbon interactions, physiological diversity in ecosystems, and the impact of climate extremes on forest resilience. His models address challenges such as drought, temperature changes, and deforestation, with applications in predicting future carbon balances and informing climate mitigation strategies. The 15 most recent articles highlight his contributions to understanding Amazon deforestation tipping points , wood formation mechanisms , and fire/disturbance impacts on ecosystems . These works span climate science , forest ecology , and biogeochemical cycles , emphasizing multi-scale approaches from cellular processes to global systems. Friend collaborates with institutions like Forestry England (Thetford Forest studies), Sainsbury Laboratory , and the C-CLEAR Doctoral Training Partnership . His work bridges computational modeling, experimental validation, and field data to advance terrestrial carbon cycle science.
Mariam Zachariah serves as a Research Fellow at the Centre for Environmental Policy within the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Imperial College London. She is a core contributor to World Weather Attribution (WWA), an international scientific collaboration conducting rapid climate change attribution analyses for extreme weather events globally. Her work bridges climate science, vulnerability assessment, and policy-relevant research. Her educational foundation includes a PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), where she investigated climate impacts on Indian agriculture. This research focused on drought and extreme temperature effects on crop yields in major agrarian regions, recognizing agriculture's critical role in India's climate-vulnerable economy. Zachariah's research centers on near-real-time attribution of extreme events to quantify human-induced climate change influences. Her expertise spans climate modeling, statistical analysis of extreme weather, and integrating vulnerability frameworks to assess compound impacts on communities. She examines how climate change interacts with socioeconomic factors to exacerbate disasters, particularly in agricultural systems and flood-prone regions worldwide. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a dominant focus on rapid attribution of droughts, floods, and heatwaves across diverse global contexts - from the Horn of Africa to Central Europe and South America. These studies consistently demonstrate climate change as a significant amplifier of event severity, while emphasizing how pre-existing vulnerabilities determine actual impacts. Her work increasingly addresses compound hazards and the intersection of climate change with infrastructure failures and land management. As a key member of the World Weather Attribution initiative, Zachariah collaborates with climate scientists, social scientists, and vulnerability experts in a unique operational framework that delivers scientific assessments within days of extreme events. This work directly informs policymakers, media, and affected communities about climate change's role in contemporary disasters.
Richard P. Allan is a Professor of Climate Science in the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading, United Kingdom. He is affiliated with the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO) and the Walker Institute, and has previously worked at NCAS Climate and the Met Office. He served as a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report. His research focuses on Earth's energy budget, climate change, and the global water cycle, utilizing Earth Observation data to assess climate models and understand atmospheric processes. Key areas include radiative forcing, cloud dynamics, precipitation extremes, and ocean warming. He has led significant projects such as the NERC DEEP-C consortium. The 15 most recent publications highlight sustained contributions to understanding climate system responses, particularly in energy imbalance, water vapor trends, aerosol-cloud interactions, and precipitation variability. Articles appear in high-impact journals like Nature , Science , and Geophysical Research Letters , reflecting broad expertise in climate modeling, satellite remote sensing, and hydrological impacts. Lead Author, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report Richard P. Allan has supervised numerous PhD and Master’s students, though specific names are not listed in the provided texts. He has secured major research grants, including from NERC, and leads collaborative projects involving climate modeling and satellite data analysis. His work is instrumental in linking observations to climate predictions and policy-relevant science. He is affiliated with the National Centre for Earth Observation, the Walker Institute, and has been Principal Investigator on projects including NERC DEEP-C, DACCIWA, SMURPHS, and SINATRA, focusing on climate extremes, African weather systems, and Earth’s energy budget.
Dr. Indrani Roy is an Honorary Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at University College London (UCL). She holds a PhD from Imperial College London and has extensive research experience at institutions including Imperial College and the University of Exeter. Previously, she served as a permanent employee at the India Meteorological Department (Government of India). She is a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society (FRMetS) and serves as its Trustee. Dr. Roy contributes to international scientific governance as a panel member for the UK's Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC) and the Romanian National Research Council. Her multidisciplinary research spans: Solar-atmosphere-ocean coupling mechanisms Monsoon dynamics and teleconnection patterns Climate change processes and extreme events Stratosphere-troposphere interactions Climate variability across decadal scales She actively investigates how solar cycles influence regional climates and extreme weather phenomena. Dr. Roy's publications demonstrate consistent focus on climate dynamics with recent emphasis on African and Asian monsoon systems, COVID-19 climate interactions, and improving predictive capabilities for extreme rainfall events. Her work increasingly integrates public health perspectives with climate science. Scientific Recognition: Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society (FRMetS) Teaching & Advising: As an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA), she currently teaches the Literature Project module (NSCI0004) for Natural Sciences at UCL. Her past teaching includes: Undergraduate research supervision (University of Exeter) Masters project supervision and guest lecturing (UCL) Instruction of Masters/PhD candidates (University of Oulu, Finland) Professional Engagement: Dr. Roy serves as reviewer for over 40 international journals (including Nature Geoscience and Science Reports) and grant agencies such as NSF, Royal Society, and French National Research Agency. She co-convenes sessions at major conferences (AOGS) and previously held editorial roles at Frontiers journals.
Professor Liz Stephens is a faculty member at the University of Reading's Department of Meteorology, specializing in flood forecasting, climate variability, and disaster risk management. Her work focuses on improving hydrological and meteorological models to enhance flood preparedness and climate adaptation strategies globally. Research Interests: Probabilistic flood forecasting Climate impacts on extreme events Enhancing forecast communication for decision-makers Applications in data-scarce regions like Kenya and Uganda Key Projects: Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS) World Weather Attribution studies Probabilistic forecast evaluation frameworks Her research bridges academic analysis with practical implementation, collaborating with international organizations like ECMWF and humanitarian agencies to translate scientific insights into actionable disaster preparedness measures.
Dr. Miguel Rico-Ramirez serves as Associate Professor of Radar Hydrology and Hydroinformatics at the University of Bristol's School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering. His research integrates advanced radar technology with hydrological modeling to address critical water resource challenges including flood forecasting, drought management, and precipitation measurement across diverse global contexts from South Korea to Mexico City. Education: Bachelor of Engineering (Eng.) Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) Ph.D. in Engineering, University of Bristol His research program focuses on radar-based precipitation estimation, hydroinformatics, and flood prediction systems. He pioneers deep learning applications for rainfall nowcasting and develops innovative methods for uncertainty quantification in hydrological modeling. Current work emphasizes cosmic-ray neutron sensor validation, satellite-based flood mapping, and seasonal forecast applications for reservoir operations, with strong emphasis on translating research into operational water management solutions. Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal three dominant research thrusts: (1) deep learning frameworks for spatiotemporal rainfall prediction, (2) global validation of precipitation and soil moisture datasets using novel sensor networks, and (3) operational implementation of seasonal forecasts for drought mitigation in South Korea. His work consistently bridges radar meteorology with practical hydrological applications across urban and data-scarce environments. Scientific Awards: No specific awards documented in source materials Dr. Rico-Ramirez supervises postgraduate researchers in radar hydrology and hydroinformatics, with projects spanning flood early warning systems, precipitation nowcasting, and climate adaptation strategies. His research receives funding for international collaborations focused on water security challenges, particularly in drought-prone regions and data-scarce basins like the Nile Delta. Current grants support development of integrated forecasting systems combining global datasets with machine learning for extreme event management. He leads the Radar Hydrology research group within Bristol's Water and Environmental Engineering division, collaborating closely with Professor Dawei Han on hydroinformatics and Dr. Rafael Rosolem on water-climate interactions. The team maintains active partnerships with meteorological agencies and water authorities globally, particularly in flood forecasting system implementation across South Korea and Mexico.
Dr Olatunji Johnson is a Lecturer in Statistics at The University of Manchester's Department of Mathematics. His research focuses on spatial and spatio-temporal statistics applied to global public health challenges, including tropical diseases like malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). He holds a PhD in Statistics and Epidemiology and has developed influential geostatistical methods and R packages (SDALGCP and MBGapp) for disease mapping and surveillance. Education: PhD in Statistics and Epidemiology (supervised by Prof. Peter Diggle). Research interests include model-based geostatistics, real-time health surveillance, and hybrid machine learning approaches for spatial data analysis. He is actively seeking PhD students interested in spatial statistics applications. Key Collaborations: Worked on projects in Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda, and Ethiopia, focusing on helminth control, air pollution impacts, and disease burden analyses. Part of the Statistical Advisory Unit and contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals through his work on health equity and disease elimination. Notable Projects: Developed methodologies for efficient survey design in NTD programs, air quality studies in African cities, and spatiotemporal modelling of pandemic risks. His work bridges statistical innovation with actionable public health policy.
Tom Spencer is an Emeritus Professor of Coastal Dynamics and Director of the Cambridge Coastal Research Unit at the University of Cambridge's Department of Geography. He holds the title of Professorial Fellow at Magdalene College, where he previously served as Dean and Tutor for Graduate Students. His academic career spans over four decades, including roles as Senior Lecturer, Reader, and full Professor at Cambridge since 2016. Affiliations: Department of Geography, Cambridge Coastal Research Unit, Magdalene College Research Groups: Biogeography and Biogeomorphology, Geographies of Knowledge Spencer's research focuses on coastal dynamics, integrating geomorphology, ecology, and environmental science. Key areas include coral reef ecosystems, mangroves, sediment dynamics, and climate change impacts. His work emphasizes coastal resilience to rising sea levels and extreme events like storm surges. His career includes supervising MPhil students but has ceased taking new PhD candidates. Notable contributions include the Atlas of the Amirantes and collaborations on global coastal wetland models (DIVA). Publications span over 40 years, addressing topics like salt marsh stability, tidal dynamics, and energy-climate scenarios for India. His work bridges field observations, modeling, and policy implications for coastal management.
Dr. Michael P. Byrne is an Associate Professor at the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , University of St Andrews, and a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellow at the Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics Group , University of Oxford. His research focuses on climate dynamics, monsoons, land-climate interactions, and the water cycle. He leads the Climate Dynamics Lab at St Andrews, exploring topics like cloud feedbacks, tropical climate change, and continental-ocean temperature contrasts. He completed his PhD at MIT under Paul O’Gorman. His work bridges theory, models, and observations to address fundamental climate questions, including monsoon dynamics, intertropical convergence zone behavior, and extreme temperature amplification over tropical land. Key contributions include studies on ITCZ width impacts, elevation-dependent warming, and biases in precipitation projections. Education: PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (advisor: Paul O’Gorman) Research Highlights: Cloud feedback mechanisms in tropical climates Land-ocean warming contrasts and their societal impacts ITCZ dynamics and global climate modeling Awards: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship (Oxford) Labs/Teams: Climate Dynamics Lab (St Andrews), ITCZ-MIP collaboration
Dr. Tamas Mona is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge , affiliated with the Epidemiology and Modelling Group . His work focuses on environmental suitability models for large-scale epidemiological forecasting, particularly in wheat rust outbreaks across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Collaborations include the UK Met Office, CIMMYT, and institutions in Ethiopia, Kenya, Bangladesh, and Nepal. PhD in Environmental Sciences (2019), Eötvös Loránd University MSc in Meteorology (2013), Eötvös Loránd University BSc in Physics with Meteorology (2011), Eötvös Loránd University Research interests integrate meteorological applications with epidemiological models to predict crop disease outbreaks. Key projects involve tracking transmission pathways for stem rust pathogens and analyzing how irrigation creates green bridges for intercontinental pathogen spread. Publications emphasize environmental science and computational epidemiology . Current collaborations span Sub-Saharan Africa (EIAR, ATI, KARLO) and South Asia (BWMRI, NARC) through initiatives like the Global Food Security IRC . Modeling frameworks developed by Mona contribute to policy advisory systems for emerging pest threats, aligning with DEFRA and UK government strategies.
Dr. Emily Black is a Professor of terrestrial processes and climate at the University of Reading's Department of Meteorology, where she serves as research division lead for Earth Observation and Space and is a senior scientist at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS). She leads the TAMSAT programme (Tropical Applications of Meteorology using SATellite data and ground-based observations), which provides real-time rainfall products and soil moisture forecasts to stakeholders across Africa through the TAMSAT-ALERT system. Her work bridges fundamental climate science with practical applications for climate risk management, particularly in vulnerable African communities. Dr. Black's research focuses on the hydrological cycle and its associated hazards, land-atmosphere interactions and their impact on climate, African climate and rainfall monitoring, and soil moisture monitoring and forecasting. She has established herself as a leading expert in African climate systems, with particular expertise in understanding rainfall patterns, drought mechanisms, and the development of forecasting tools that translate scientific knowledge into actionable information for decision-makers. Her work combines observational analysis, modeling approaches, and direct engagement with stakeholders to ensure scientific outputs address real-world needs. Analysis of Dr. Black's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the practical application of climate science for risk management, particularly through the TAMSAT-ALERT system. Her work spans multiple disciplines including climatology, hydrology, meteorology, and agricultural science, with consistent emphasis on African contexts. The research shows evolving sophistication in forecasting techniques, moving from basic rainfall monitoring to integrated systems that predict soil moisture, agricultural impacts, and drought risks. A notable trend is the increasing integration of user needs into scientific development, reflecting her commitment to user-driven science and knowledge exchange. Dr. Black has built an extensive collaborative network across institutions globally, with frequent co-authors including Richard P. Allan, Tristan Quaife, Brian J. Hoskins, Pier Luigi Vidale, and Julia Slingo, all from the University of Reading. Her work has been cited by numerous leading climate scientists worldwide, demonstrating her significant impact on the field. She has secured funding for multiple projects focused on climate monitoring, forecasting, and risk management in Africa, with particular emphasis on agricultural applications and drought resilience. As leader of the TAMSAT programme, Dr. Black oversees a team that combines satellite data analysis, ground-based observations, and modeling expertise to develop climate services specifically tailored for African contexts. The TAMSAT-ALERT system represents a major advancement in seasonal forecasting capabilities for the continent, providing critical information for agricultural planning and disaster risk management. Her team's work has evolved from basic rainfall monitoring to integrated systems that predict soil moisture, crop conditions, and drought risks, demonstrating continuous innovation in climate service development.
Rosalind Cornforth is a Professor of Climate and Development and Director of the Walker Institute at the University of Reading, Department of Meteorology. She holds a PhD in Tropical Meteorology and has over 15 years of experience collaborating with governments and NGOs in developing nations. As Walker Institute Director, she leads strategic vision, operations, and interdisciplinary projects in climate resilience. Her roles include Senior Research Scientist at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) and Ambassador for the TAMSAT group. Her research focuses on African weather systems, climate early warning systems, rainfall variability, knowledge exchange, and governance for adaptation. Key projects include the Africa Climate Exchange (AfClix), AfClix Early Warning System for Sudan, and BRAVE groundwater studies. She advises on UN initiatives, including WHO/WMO, UNDP, and the African Union. Recent publications (2020–2024) address climate adaptation, flood early warning, heat stress, and transboundary resilience. She supervises postgraduate students and leads NERC-funded projects. Her work bridges science and policy, emphasizing actionable solutions for vulnerable regions.
