Wikipedia

Roxy Mathew Koll

Roxy Mathew Koll is a climate scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.[1][2] His research focuses on climate change and extreme weather events in the Indo-Pacific region, with significant contributions to the understanding of Indian Ocean warming, monsoon dynamics, heatwaves, and tropical cyclones.[1][3][4][5] He was involved in writing the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate and the Sixth Assessment Report.[6][7][8]

Roxy Mathew Koll
Alma mater
Known forStudies on Indian Ocean warming, climate change, and monsoon dynamics
Awards
Scientific career
Fields
Institutions
Websitehttps://www.climate.rocksea.org/

Education

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Koll completed a B.Sc. in physics from CMS College Kottayam,[9] followed by an M.Sc. in physical oceanography from Cochin University of Science and Technology, India.[10][11] He completed his Ph.D. in Ocean and Atmospheric Dynamics from Hokkaido University, Japan, in 2007.[10][12]

Career

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Koll worked as a Research Scientist at the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC) in Bologna, Italy, from 2008 to 2010.[10] Since 2010, he has worked as a scientist at IITM, Pune, involved in projects related to ocean observations, climate modeling and earth system research. He also holds a concurrent position as a Professor at the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR). He was a visiting scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) in Maryland in 2012, and at the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) in Seattle from 2018 to 2019.[10][13] During 2014, he held a visiting scientist position at Hokkaido University, Japan.

Koll has made contributions to understanding the rapid warming of the Indian Ocean, and how this warming is driving changes in the monsoon, the marine ecosystem, and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events across the region.[14][15] He has referred to the Indian Ocean as a "canary in a coal mine," suggesting that the climate change and extreme weather events occurring there serve as a warning for the future of all oceans, if urgent action is not taken.[16][17] His work has shown that the expansion of the Indo-Pacific Warm Pool is altering global rainfall patterns by modulating the Madden–Julian oscillation, which impacts weather systems across the tropics and beyond.[18][19][20]

Koll has been involved in the United Nations World Climate Research Programme's CLIVAR Project. He was the co-chair of the CLIVAR Indian Ocean Region Panel during 2018 to 2023 and played a role in redesigning the Indian Ocean Observing System to better understand and forecast the weather and climate for the nations surrounding the Indian Ocean.[5][21][22] He played a role in developing India's first Earth System Model and has been a lead author for the IPCC reports.[1][6]

Awards

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Koll received a National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Kavli Fellowship in 2015. In 2016 his research on the impact of climate change on the monsoon earned him the Indian Meteorological Society's Young Scientist Award.[12] In 2018 he was awarded the National Research Council (NRC) Senior Research Associateship of the US National Academy of Sciences.[12]

In December 2022 the American Geophysical Union (AGU) awarded him the AGU Devendra Lal Medal for scientists in developing countries in recognition of his research in Earth sciences and conferred him as an AGU Fellow.[5][23][24][25]

In August 2024, Koll was one of 18 scientists awarded the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, a national science award presented by the President of India, in recognition of his contributions to climate science.[1][2][26]

Impact and advocacy

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Koll's research has influenced national climate policies and disaster management strategies, especially in the Indian Ocean region. He actively communicates climate science through various media outlets, aiming to bridge the gap between science and society.[17][27] He has written for major Indian newspapers and magazines including Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, Malayala Manorama, and Frontline.[28][29][30][31] He is a regular guest at TV and radio discussions about global warming and extreme weather events over South Asia.[32][33]

Koll has advocated for the establishment of climate-equipped schools in Kerala, proposing that all schools be outfitted with weather stations to serve as local climate hubs for education and real-time weather monitoring.[24][34] This initiative aims to enhance disaster preparedness while fostering climate awareness among students and communities, contributing to local resilience in the face of extreme weather events.[3][34][35] Koll was honored as a "Change Maker" at the Manorama News Conclave 2024, recognizing his impact on climate resilience and community engagement in Kerala.[36]

Selected publications

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  • Roxy, M.K., et al. (2024). Chapter 20: Future projections for the tropical Indian Ocean. In Ummenhofer, C.C., & Hood, R.R. (Eds.), The Indian Ocean and its role in the global climate system. Elsevier, pp. 469–482. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-822698-8.00004-4
  • Beal, L. M., J. Vialard, M. K. Roxy, et al. (2020). A roadmap to IndOOS-2: Better observations of the rapidly-warming Indian Ocean. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 101 (11): E1891–E1913, doi: 10.1175/BAMS-D-19-0209.1
  • Roxy, M.K., et al. (2019). Twofold expansion of the Indo-Pacific warm pool warps the MJO lifecycle. Nature, 575, 647–651. doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1764-4
  • Collins M., M. Sutherland, M. K. Roxy, et al. (2019). IPCC Report: Extremes, Abrupt Changes and Managing Risks. IPCC Special Report on Oceans and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781009157964.008
  • Roxy, M.K., et al. (2017). A threefold rise in widespread extreme rain events over central India. Nature Communications, 8, 708. doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00744-9
  • Roxy, M.K., et al. (2015). Drying of Indian subcontinent by rapid Indian Ocean warming and a weakening land-sea thermal gradient. Nature Communications, 6, 7423. doi:10.1038/ncomms8423
  • Swapna, P., M. K. Roxy, et al. (2014). The IITM Earth System Model: Transformation of a Seasonal Prediction Model to a Long-Term Climate Model. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 96, 1281-1287. doi:10.1175/BAMS-D-13-00276.1

Personal life

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Roxy Mathew Koll is married to Juby Aleyas Koll, a hand embroidery artist and author.[37] Known professionally as "Sarah," she has authored several books on hand embroidery, including Hand Embroidery Stitches for Everyone, which covers over 300 stitch techniques.[37][38]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Koll, Roxy (Aug 24, 2024). "Vigyan Yuva awardee Roxy Mathew Koll: Mapping climate change". Hindustan Times (Interview). Interviewed by Kabir Firaque.
  2. ^ a b Koll, Roxy (2024-08-29). "Damage from Wayanad-like disasters can be minimised if agencies coordinate—Vigyan Yuva awardee Roxy Koll". ThePrint (Interview). Interviewed by Soumya Pillai. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  3. ^ a b Fountain, Henry; Levitt, Zach; White, Jeremy (2022-10-05). "The Monsoon Is Becoming More Extreme". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  4. ^ S. Jayaraman, K. (2015-06-17). "Warming Indian Ocean weakens monsoon". Nature India. doi:10.1038/nindia.2015.81.
  5. ^ a b c "Pune IITM scientist Roxy Koll receives 2022 Devendra Lal Memorial Medal". Hindustan Times. October 4, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Marar, Anjali (2017-07-22). "Pune scientist on IPCC panel to study oceans". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  7. ^ Koll, Roxy (2017-09-01). "We need more talents to explore ocean: Dr Roxy Mathew Koll". Deccan Chronicle (Interview). Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  8. ^ Koll, Roxy. "India should not wait for the clock to act". Rediff.com (Interview). Interviewed by Shobha Warrier. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  9. ^ "CMS College Kottayam is proud to announce that Dr. Roxy Mathew Koll (Alumnus 1997-2000 Batch) is selected for the award of "Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar"". CMS College Kottayam (Press release). 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  10. ^ a b c d "Dr. Roxy Mathew Koll". Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  11. ^ "Dr. Roxy Mathew Koll, our alumnus, awarded with the presigious "Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar"". Cochin University of Science and Technology. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  12. ^ a b c "All about Monsoons". Centre for Science and Environment. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  13. ^ "Indo-Pacific Ocean warming is changing global rainfall patterns". phys.org. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  14. ^ Sangomla, Akshit (2024-04-29). "Indian Ocean is heating up much faster than we think, at a rate of 1.7-3.8°C per century". Down To Earth. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  15. ^ "Study predicts accelerated warming of Indian ocean". Mintlounge. 2024-04-28. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  16. ^ Koll, Roxy. "Roxy Mathew Koll: "Der Indische Ozean ist der Kanarienvogel der Weltmeere"". Der Freitag (Interview) (in German). Interviewed by Julia Lauter. ISSN 0945-2095. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  17. ^ a b "Indian Ocean Futures: Prospects for shared regional success" (PDF). UWA Public Policy Institute.
  18. ^ "Indo-Pacific Ocean warming is changing global rainfall patterns". phys.org (Press release). Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  19. ^ "Warming Indo-Pacific Ocean Could Disrupt Global Rainfall Patterns". The Wire (Press release). Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  20. ^ "Warming of the Indo-Pacific Ocean is changing global rainfall patterns". NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) (Press release). 2020-01-15. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  21. ^ "Case study: The Indian Ocean Observing System (IndOOS)". Commonwealth. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  22. ^ Pardikar, Rishika (2022-02-02). "An Indian Ocean Network to Keep Track of Climate". Eos. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  23. ^ "AGU - American Geophysical Union". American Geophysical Union. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  24. ^ a b Murtugudde, Raghu. "2022 Medalists | AGU Fall Meeting". American Geophysical Union. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  25. ^ "Dr Roxy Mathew Koll and Dr Edem Mahu Receive AGU Honors". CLIVAR. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  26. ^ "Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar". awards.gov.in.
  27. ^ Creative, Venn. "Stitching in detail in India". Climate Outreach. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  28. ^ Koll, Roxy. "Another COP out, so DIY". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  29. ^ Koll, Roxy Mathew (2022-09-10). "Why cloudburst forecast in India still remains elusive". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  30. ^ Koll, Roxy. "മനം മാറി മഴ; എന്തുകൊണ്ടാണ് മഴയുടെ ഭാവങ്ങൾ മാറിയത്?" [Change your mind and rain; Why did the appearances of rain change?]. Manorama News (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  31. ^ Koll, Roxy. "ചൂടേറിയിട്ടും നമ്മുടെ തണുപ്പ് മാറുന്നില്ല" [Even if it is hot, our coldness does not change]. Manorama News (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  32. ^ Al Jazeera English (2024-10-04). Is climate change making monsoons more extreme? | The Stream. Retrieved 2024-11-06 – via YouTube.
  33. ^ "In India, Climate Change Has Arrived | The Brian Lehrer Show". WNYC. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  34. ^ a b "Make every school in Kerala a weather station: Award-winning climate scientist". Onmanorama. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  35. ^ Vaidyanathan, Gayathri (2023-02-08). "How India is battling deadly rain storms as climate change bites". Nature. 614 (7947): 210–213. Bibcode:2023Natur.614..210V. doi:10.1038/d41586-023-00341-5. PMID 36755176.
  36. ^ "Changemakers' tales told, secrets bared, Manorama News Conclave 2024 concludes". Onmanorama. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
  37. ^ a b "Juby Aleyas Koll: Pune embroiderer who is preserving an old craft, one stitch at a time". The Indian Express. 2021-03-22. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  38. ^ "The best hand embroidery reference books – TextileArtist". www.textileartist.org. 2023-02-10. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
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