New Chief Scientist Leads Annual ARM Science Team Meeting

 
Published: 31 March 2006

Dr. Warren Wiscombe begins his presentation by introducing the members of his "Chief Scientist team"—a new approach for leading the ARM Science Team.

With a new Chief Scientist at the helm, just over 300 ARM scientists and ARM infrastructure staff took part in the 16th ARM Science Team meeting held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on March 27-31, 2006. After an initial day of focused meetings among the ARM Working Groups, Dr. David Thomassen, Acting Associate Director of DOE’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER), opened the meeting’s plenary session with remarks about the role of ARM within the DOE, and its reputation as a world-class research program. He also briefly discussed the Office of Science 5-Year Budget plan, which includes BER’s goals for the ARM Program, including a second ARM Mobile Facility and continuing advances in climate model development, testing, and application. His remarks were followed by a status report from ARM Chief Scientist, Dr. Warren Wiscombe, covering specific ARM accomplishments, challenges, and goals. The rest of the weeklong meeting was devoted to invited presentations, plus extensive evening sessions to review the 178 posters prepared by principle investigators for onsite discussions.

During an evening meeting, the [/acrf/science_board.stm][ARM Science Board]—led by their newly elected chair, Dr. Sally Benson—reviewed the schedule for upcoming field campaign proposals, and provided recommendations for future uses of the ARM Mobile Facility.

This annual gathering provides an opportunity for members of the ARM Science Team and ARM infrastructure to engage in focused technical exchanges to review scientific findings and results, as well as to discuss implementation and operation of the ARM. The event also provides a forum for other agency programs to gain familiarity with the ARM Program, to share goals and objectives, and to suggest collaborations of mutual interest. Scientists representing 10 different countries, from the United States to Africa, Germany, and the Netherlands, attended this year’s meeting. Proceedings from the meeting will be published in the fall and can be found on the ARM website, along with proceedings from previous ARM Science Team meetings.