New Leadership Team Members
The Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) project is pleased to announce several leadership changes as part of its realignment for Phase 3. These updates reflect the project’s evolving priorities and honor the contributions of outgoing leaders, including Dave Bader and Elizabeth Hunke who are retiring after decades of dedicated service.
For a complete list of E3SM leadership, please visit the Leadership Team page.
New Principal Investigator
The E3SM project is honored to announce Peter Caldwell as the new Principal Investigator, succeeding Dave Bader, who is retiring after years of extraordinary leadership and service. As the former PI, Dave Bader played an instrumental role in shaping E3SM’s vision, driving its mission forward, and fostering a legacy of excellence. The team extends its deepest gratitude to Dave for his invaluable contributions and dedication. Peter Caldwell brings exceptional expertise and a forward-looking perspective to the role, ensuring the continuity of E3SM’s mission while building on the strong foundation established by his predecessor.
New Group Leads
Dr. Andrew Roberts, LANL
Andrew Roberts: Polar Processes, Sea-Level Change, and Coastal Impacts Group
Andrew Roberts has been named as the new Lead of the Polar Processes, Sea-Level Change, and Coastal Impacts Group. This change follows Stephen Price’s transition from Lead for the Polar group to deputy for both Polar and Ice groups, creating a needed bridge between development and experimental teams.
Andrew, a polar scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), has been part of E3SM since 2018 and brings extensive expertise in operational meteorology, sea ice measurement and modeling, and fully coupled Arctic and Antarctic systems. He has played a critical role in advancing polar process simulations within E3SM, and his leadership will drive further innovations in understanding polar dynamics.
Dr. Darin Cameau, LANL
Darin Comeau: Ice Group
Darin Comeau has taken on the role of Lead for the Ice Group, succeeding Elizabeth Hunke. As the former Deputy Lead of the Ice Group (since 2023), Comeau has demonstrated exceptional leadership and technical expertise, positioning him well to guide the group’s efforts.
Darin, a polar scientist at LANL, has been a part of E3SM since 2016. His work has primarily focused on cryosphere and polar processes, with an emphasis on ice sheet modeling and dynamics.
Dr. Chris Terai, LLNL
Chris Terai: EAMxx Group
Chris Terai has stepped into the role of Lead of the EAMxx Group, succeeding Peter Caldwell. Chris has been leading the EAMxx development for some time, making this transition a natural progression.
Chris is an atmospheric scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), whose research focuses on cloud observations and modeling to improve process understanding and model fidelity. He has worked in the EAMxx and Atmosphere Groups since 2019.
New Deputy Leads
Dr. Xue Zheng, LLNL
Xue Zheng: Coupled Model Group
Xue Zheng is joining Wuyin Lin as another Deputy Lead of the Coupled Group.
Xue is an atmospheric scientist at LLNL and has been working on the integration of the E3SM physical coupled model configuration since joining the E3SM project in 2019. Her research interests include studying various atmospheric processes within the fully coupled Earth system.
Dr. Stephen Price, LANL
Stephen Price: Polar Processes Group and Ice Group
Stephen Price transitions from his role as Group Lead of the Polar Processes, Sea-Level Change, and Coastal Impacts Group to Deputy Lead of both the Polar Processes Group and the Ice Group.
Price, a polar scientist at LANL, has been a key contributor to E3SM’s cryosphere modeling efforts. His work on ice sheet dynamics and polar processes has been critical to the project’s success. Price’s dual roles will ensure continuity and collaboration across these interconnected groups.
Dr. Hailong Wang, PNNL
Hailong Wang: Atmosphere Group
Hailong Wang joins the Atmosphere Group as its new Deputy Lead, replacing Susannah Burrows. Burrows stepped down from her role to focus on aerosol and chemistry development as a Deputy Lead for the EAMxx Group.
Hailong is an atmospheric scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) with expertise in modeling aerosols and clouds. He has been leading efforts in developing aerosol-related features and new capabilities for E3SM since he joined the project in 2014.
Dr. Aaron Donahue, LLNL
Aaron Donahue: EAMxx Group
Aaron Donahue has joined Susannah Burrows as a Deputy Lead of the EAMxx Group.
Donahue, an atmospheric scientist at LLNL, specializes in earth system modeling and cloud processes. His work has contributed to improving the performance and accuracy of EAMxx simulations.
Looking Ahead
These leadership changes mark an exciting new chapter for E3SM as it continues its mission to advance Earth system modeling. The project welcomes new members of the E3SM Leaderhip team and looks forward to their contributions in driving innovation and collaboration across the project.
This article is a part of the E3SM “Floating Points” Newsletter, to read the full Newsletter check:
