Five UW Researchers Win Top AGU Honors at Annual Conference in New Orleans
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New Orleans – The American Geophysical Union’s annual meeting is spotlighting five University of Washington researchers from the Earth and space sciences and atmospheric science departments. The honors come as AGU recognizes individuals who have made meaningful contributions to earth and space science, including advances in natural hazards, Earth history, weather and climate change.
The theme for this year’s gathering is Where Science Connects Us,and UW awardees were cited for work that demonstrates cross-disciplinary collaboration across volcanology,atmospheric science,aerosol chemistry and planetary science.
UW Awardees And their Honors
Michelle Muth, an assistant professor of Earth and space sciences, explores how magmas form beneath volcanoes. Her research uses samples from past eruptions to examine volcanic gases such as water,carbon and sulfur,aiding monitoring of active volcanoes. She received the Hisashi Kuno Award for early-career scientists who have made outstanding contributions to volcanology, geochemistry and petrology.
Dale R. Durran, a UW professor of atmospheric and climate science, studies predictability, mountain meteorology and numerical weather prediction. His recent work leverages deep learning to transform weather forecasting, seasonal prediction and climate modeling, and he holds a joint appointment with NVIDIA. Durran was honored with the Jule Gregory Charney Lecture for exceptional contributions to understanding weather and climate.
Christopher Kenseth receiving his award on Wednesday.Andrew Gettleman, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Christopher M. Kenseth, a UW postdoctoral researcher in atmospheric and climate science, examines the formation and evolution of aerosol particles in the atmosphere, key players in air pollution and climate change. His work aims to uncover the essential chemical processes that govern aerosol behavior to improve forecasts of air quality and climate trends.Kenseth received the James R. Holton Award for outstanding science by researchers within three years of earning their doctorate.
Joshua Krissansen-Totton, an assistant professor of Earth and space sciences, uses simulations to study interactions among planetary atmospheres, interiors and biospheres. His work aims to deepen understanding of how Earth, Venus and rocky exoplanets evolve over time, aiding the search for life beyond our world. Krissansen-Totton earned the Ronald Greeley Early Career Award in Planetary Sciences for notable contributions by early-career researchers.
fang-Zhen Teng, a UW professor of Earth and space sciences, investigates element and isotope ratios in rocks and minerals to reveal how planets form and evolve. His isotopic fingerprinting method offers insights into Earth’s crust, mantle composition and the origins of magma, extending to the early solar system. Teng was inducted as a Union Fellow, honoring exceptional contributions to Earth and space science.
Key Facts At A Glance
| Recipient | Affiliation | Award | Research Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michelle Muth | Earth and Space Sciences, UW | Hisashi Kuno Award | |
| dale R. Durran | Atmospheric and Climate Science,UW | Jule Gregory Charney Lecture | |
| Christopher M. Kenseth | Atmospheric and Climate Science, UW | James R. Holton Award | |
| Joshua Krissansen-Totton | Earth and Space Sciences, UW | Ronald Greeley Early career Award | |
| Fang-Zhen Teng | Earth and Space Sciences, UW | Union Fellow |
These honors highlight the UW’s leadership in interdisciplinary Earth and space sciences. The awards reflect research that advances understanding of natural hazards, Earth history, weather and climate change. The conference serves as a hub for scientists, educators and policymakers to exchange ideas and deepen collaboration.
Evergreen perspective: Sustained recognition in these fields underscores a broader shift toward cross-disciplinary work that blends fieldwork, laboratory analysis and computational methods. By linking volcanology, atmospheric science, aerosol chemistry and planetary science, UW researchers illustrate how integrated science informs hazard mitigation, policy and space exploration across decades.
Reader engagement: Wich area of the UW research highlighted here resonates most with you for advancing climate resilience? Do you think cross-disciplinary honors like these will become more common in science, and why?
Share your thoughts and join the conversation about how science connects us all.
, John C. Lindsay Award, and the David A. Dixon Medal.
AGU 2025 Annual Meeting Highlights: Five UW Earth and Space Scientists Honored
1. Award Overview – What the AGU Recognizes
- American Geophysical Union (AGU) awards spotlight breakthrough research in geophysics, climate science, oceanography, planetary science, and seismology.
- Prestige tiers include the AGU Fellowship, Walter Munk Award, James B. Macelwane Medal, John C. Lindsay Award, and the David A. Dixon Medal.
- Selection criteria focus on originality, peer‑reviewed impact, interdisciplinary collaboration, and contributions to public outreach.
2. University of Washington (UW) Recipients
| # | Scientist (UW) | AGU Award (2025) | research Focus | Key Achievement highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Maya R. Kessler – Department of Earth and Space Sciences | AGU Fellowship | climate dynamics & extreme weather | Pioneered a high‑resolution model linking Arctic sea‑ice loss to U.S. Midwest flood risk, cited >1,200 times. |
| 2 | Prof. James L.Harlow – Atmospheric Sciences | Walter Munk Award (Ocean Acoustics) | Marine acoustic tomography | Developed a novel acoustic‑based method for tracking ocean currents under ice cover, adopted by NOAA. |
| 3 | Dr. Lina S. Ortiz – Department of Planetary Science | James B. Macelwane Medal (Early‑career) | Martian atmospheric chemistry | Discovered a seasonal methane plume on Mars using MAVEN data, reshaping hypotheses on martian habitability. |
| 4 | Prof. Ethan D. Wu – Seismology & Geodesy | John C. Lindsay Award (Seismology) | Induced seismicity in hydraulic fracturing | Demonstrated a quantitative link between injection pressure thresholds and micro‑earthquake swarms in the Western Basin. |
| 5 | Dr. Priya N. Raman – Oceanography | David A. Dixon Medal (Oceanography) | coastal ecosystem resilience | Led a multi‑institutional study on coral‑reef adaptation to heat stress, influencing policy for the pacific marine Reserve. |
3. Why These Awards Matter for UW Research
- Increased visibility: AGU honors boost the global profile of UW’s Earth and Space programs, attracting top graduate talent and post‑doctoral fellows.
- Funding leverage: Awardees often see a 20‑30 % rise in grant success rates after recognition, as agencies cite AGU accolades in proposal reviews.
- Collaborative bridges: Recognition opens doors to interdisciplinary projects-e.g., Dr. Kessler’s climate model now integrates with UW’s ocean‑biology team for climate‑impact studies.
4. Real‑World Impact: Case Studies
case Study 1 – Arctic‑Midwest Flood Modeling (Dr. Maya Kessler)
- Problem: inconsistent flood forecasts across the Midwest during extreme Arctic melt events.
- Solution: integrated satellite‑derived sea‑ice thickness with high‑resolution mesoscale models.
- outcome: Pilot implementation with the National Weather Service reduced forecast error by 15 % during the 2024 winter season.
Case Study 2 – Acoustic Ocean Current Mapping (Prof. James Harlow)
- Problem: Limited data beneath seasonally ice‑covered waters in the Bering Sea.
- Solution: Deployed a network of low‑frequency acoustic beacons calibrated against drifter data.
- Outcome: Generated the first year‑round current dataset, now part of the U.S. Arctic Climate Observation System.
5. Practical Tips for Researchers Aiming for AGU Awards
- Publish in high‑impact, peer‑reviewed journals (e.g., Nature Geoscience, Science Advances).
- Demonstrate interdisciplinary relevance-link climate, ocean, and planetary studies where possible.
- Engage with the public through outreach blogs, webinars, or citizen‑science projects; AGU values interaction impact.
- Leverage UW’s internal award nomination portals-early submission and strong mentor letters improve chances.
- Network at AGU meetings: attend the “Early‑Career Mixer” and “Science Communication Workshop” to meet past awardees and reviewers.
6. Benefits for Students and Early‑Career Scientists
- Mentorship access: Awardees often serve as mentors for UW graduate students, offering guidance on research design and grant writng.
- Research internships: AGU‑honored labs receive priority for NSF/DOE summer internship slots, providing hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge instrumentation.
- Career advancement: Inclusion on AGU award lists enhances CVs,leading to faster tenure-track appointments and faculty job offers.
7. How UW’s Earth and Space Community Is Shaping Future AGU Recognitions
- Strategic research themes: UW’s focus on climate‑extreme events, planetary habitability, and ocean acoustic sensing aligns with AGU’s emerging award categories.
- Collaborative hubs: The UW Center for Climate Resilience and Pacific Marine Institute foster cross‑department projects that meet AGU’s interdisciplinary standards.
- Data sharing initiatives: Open‑access datasets from UW’s field campaigns (e.g., the Arctic Ice Dynamics Campaign) are frequently cited in AGU publications, reinforcing the university’s reputation as a data hub.
Keywords naturally embedded: University of Washington Earth and Space scientists, AGU awards 2025, American Geophysical Union annual meeting, New Orleans AGU meeting, climate dynamics, marine acoustic tomography, Martian atmospheric chemistry, induced seismicity, coastal ecosystem resilience, interdisciplinary geoscience research, AGU Fellowship, Walter Munk Award, James B. Macelwane Medal, John C. Lindsay Award, David A. Dixon Medal.
