E3SM Recognizes Outstanding Contributions with February 2026 Awards

Each year, E3SM recognizes team members who make exceptional contributions to the critical but often less visible aspects of E3SM model development. These efforts are essential to the success of the project. Everyone who uses the E3SM model relies on and benefits from this work, even though it does not always lead to publications or other traditional forms of laboratory recognition.

The E3SM Executive Committee selected three awardees. The awards were presented in February during the E3SM All-Hands Presentations webinar series, following a nomination process that invited submissions from Group Leads and their Deputies.

The February 2026 award recipients are:

• Walter Hannah, recognized for his exceptional contributions to advancing the E3SM atmosphere model, including refactoring the deep convection scheme for EAMxx v4 and providing critical analyses, visualizations, and model diagnostics.

• Olawale Ikuyajolu, recognized for his exceptional knowledge, enthusiasm, and independent, creative work, and for his ability to learn quickly while processing information critically and thoroughly.

• Jon Wolfe, recognized for his exceptional leadership and diligence in managing the v3 high-resolution spin-up simulation, ensuring its timely success through careful configuration, continuous monitoring, and proactive issue resolution.

Figure 1. E3SM Outstanding Achievement Award sticker

In addition to receiving their citation in a presentation folder, each awardee also received a specially designed sticker created by the Communications Team to mark the recognition (Fig. 1).

These awards highlight the wide range of expertise and dedication required to move E3SM forward. From model development and diagnostics to scientific problem-solving and large-scale simulation management, the contributions of these team members strengthen the entire project.

Congratulations to Walter Hannah, Olawale Ikuyajolu, and Jon Wolfe on this well-deserved recognition.