Earth & Space
Andrew Moore honored for decades of selfless service to ocean sciences community
The Edward A. Flinn III Award recognizes scientists who embody the American Geophysical Union’s motto “unselfish cooperation in research”
Andrew Moore, professor of ocean sciences. (Photo by Renee Wall)
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) will honor ocean sciences professor Andrew Moore at the University of California, Santa Cruz, along with two colleagues, for their decades of service to the field for building, distributing, and supporting one of the most widely used community ocean models in the world.
AGU has named Moore a co-recipient of the annual Edward A. Flinn III Award, which recognizes scientists who embody the union’s motto “unselfish cooperation in research.” AGU states that the award honors “the unsung heroes who provide the ideas, motivation, and labors of love that build and maintain the infrastructure without which our science could not flourish.”
Moore and Rutgers University colleagues Hernan Arango and John Wilkin have developed the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS), a community resource used by scientists to simulate ocean currents, water properties, and circulation in coastal regions and estuaries. Many published studies have been conducted using ROMS simulations since its introduction in the 1990s.
Initially focused purely on representing ocean circulation, ROMS simulation capabilities now extend to data-constrained ocean forecasts, marine biogeochemistry, sediment transport, fisheries health, and climate projections.
“It is a great privilege to belong to the vibrant ROMS community, and to have worked with so many amazing people over the years—including, of course, my co-recipients,” said Moore, whose research involves ocean circulation modeling, data assimilation, and ocean prediction. “I am proud of our achievements and delighted to receive this award.”
AGU will present the award in person at its annual conference in December in New Orleans.