Pierre Gentine Named Macelwane Medal Winner

The American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) has named Pierre Gentine, Maurice Ewing and J. Lamar Worzel Professor of Geophysics in the Departments of Earth and Environmental Engineering and Earth Environmental Sciences, as the 2022 James B. Macelwane Medal recipient for significant contributions to Earth and space science. AGU, a nonprofit organization that supports 130,000 enthusiasts to experts worldwide in Earth and space sciences, annually recognizes a select number of individuals as part of its Honors and Recognition program.

Gentine’s research focuses on investigating the continental hydrologic cycle using multi-scale modeling and big data such as machine learning, remote sensing, and high-resolution turbulent simulations. He utilizes these tools in the context of rising CO2 emissions, hoping to answer the questions of what will be the future of droughts and extreme dryness and precipitation, and how this change impacts agricultural production. Gentine also serves as the director of LEAP (Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics), an NSF Science and Technology Center launched in 2021. 

“I am absolutely delighted, humbled, and grateful to be the recipient of the AGU Macelwane Medal,” says Gentine. “Looking back, it is clear that the most important thing to me as a PI has been to build up a group and work with people most aligned with my values. When the group has some shared values, we advance together, we are synergistic, and also have fun working together. In our group, several of the core values are innovation, diversity, open-mindedness and respect to others’ point of view and culture, but also having a critical eye on scientific results. Those are aligned with my key values.”

AGU will formally recognize this year’s awardees during the #AGU22 Fall Meeting in Chicago from December 12-16, 2022. As a recipient, Gentine embodies the AGU’s community’s shared vision of a thriving, sustainable, and equitable future powered by discovery, innovation, and action. Recipients have worked with integrity, respect, and collaboration while creating deep engagement in education, diversity, and outreach.