E3SM Welcomes Peter Caldwell as Principal Investigator
Dr. Peter Caldwell, LLNL, E3SM PI
The Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) project is pleased to announce Peter Caldwell as its new Principal Investigator (PI). Caldwell, a distinguished atmospheric scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), brings a wealth of expertise and innovative thinking to this role, ensuring E3SM continues to advance its mission of delivering cutting-edge earth system modeling capabilities.
Peter Caldwell’s journey to becoming PI is marked by a deep commitment to understanding the complexities of Earth’s system. He joined LLNL in 2007 as a postdoctoral researcher with Dave Bader, focusing on regional modeling, and quickly established himself as a leader in the field. Caldwell’s academic background includes a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington, where he studied under Christopher S. Bretherton, and BS and MS degrees in mathematics from Western Washington University. His interdisciplinary approach, blending atmospheric science, numerical analysis, and computer science, has enabled him to tackle some of the most challenging aspects of earth system modeling, including cloud dynamics and feedback mechanisms.
Caldwell’s leadership of the Simple Cloud Resolving E3SM Atmosphere Model (SCREAM) has been transformative for the E3SM project. Under his guidance, SCREAM became the first global cloud-resolving model to run on an exascale supercomputer, breaking the one-simulated-year-per-day barrier for high-resolution simulations. This milestone earned the SCREAM team the prestigious Gordon Bell Prize and positioned E3SM as a global leader in computational earth system science. Caldwell’s work has also focused on improving the accuracy of predictions by refining cloud processes and advancing statistical analysis techniques for earth system model ensembles.
Beyond his technical achievements, Caldwell has demonstrated exceptional leadership within the E3SM community. He has served in key roles, including co-leader for atmospheric model development and coupled model development, and has been an advocate for collaboration across disciplines. His ability to bridge scientific innovation with practical application has ensured that E3SM remains at the forefront of addressing critical questions about earth system change and its impacts. Caldwell’s dedication to advancing DOE’s research initiatives reflects his commitment to both scientific excellence and societal relevance.
As Peter Caldwell steps into the role of PI, the E3SM project extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dave Bader for his decades of exemplary leadership. Dave Bader’s leadership laid the foundation for E3SM’s success, and his impact on the project will be felt for years to come. For a closer look at his remarkable legacy, check out our tribute here. With Peter Caldwell at the helm, E3SM is poised to continue its tradition of excellence and innovation in earth system science, serving DOE priority mission needs.
This article is a part of the E3SM “Floating Points” Newsletter, to read the full Newsletter check:
