Manfred Wendisch

Manfred Wendisch is a Professor of Meteorology at the University of Leipzig and Director of the Institute of Meteorology since 2010. He holds a W3 professorship (equivalent to full professor) specializing in atmospheric radiation and cloud physics. He serves as spokesperson for the DFG Priority Programme 1294 (since 2010) and the DFG-Transregio SFB/TRR 172 (since 2016), and was appointed President of the International Radiation Commission in 2025.

His primary research interests focus on atmospheric radiation, cloud physics, and polar meteorology. He specializes in airborne measurements using aircraft and tethered balloons, interpreting these with radiative transfer and weather forecast models. His work examines radiation energy budgets of clouds, microphysical properties, and specifically investigates Arctic mixed-phase clouds, subtropical trade wind clouds, and cirrus clouds.

Wendisch's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on Arctic amplification, tropical convection, and Saharan dust. His research often involves multi-platform observational campaigns, particularly using the HALO research aircraft. He has made significant contributions to understanding cloud-aerosol interactions in polar regions and their impact on climate.

• Georgi Prize (GeoUnion, Alfred Wegener Foundation, 2022)
• Editor of Journal of Geophysical Research - Atmospheres (since 2024)
• President of International Radiation Commission (since 2025)
• Member of German National Committee for Polar Research SCAR/IASC (since 2020)
• Member of Board of Trustees of Alfred Wegener Institute (since 2020)

As an educator, Wendisch teaches atmospheric radiation, dynamics and synoptics, cloud physics, airborne measurement methods, and numerical weather prediction. He has supervised numerous doctoral students and has been involved in international teaching collaborations with institutions including Texas A&M University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and NOAA. His leadership extends to serving on the Senate of the University of Leipzig since 2021 and previously chairing the Scientific Advisory Board of the German Meteorological Service (2020-2023).