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GFDL - Geophysical Fluid Dynamics LaboratoryGFDL - Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory

Whit Anderson

Whit-Header

I am the Deputy Director of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL). My primary role is to coordinate between the scientific mission of the lab and its infrastructure support activities, such as administration and information technologies (ex. high performance computing). I also interact with external entities from other line office units, line office headquarters, other NOAA line offices, federal agencies, legislative branch of government and universities in support of the lab’s science. GFDL’s mission is to advance scientific understanding of climate and its natural and anthropogenic variations and impacts, and improve NOAA’s predictive capabilities, through the development and use of world-leading computer models of the Earth System. Enabling this mission is a large component of my responsibilities.

As a graduate student I knew I wanted to find a path to GFDL. My graduate advisor at the Center for Ocean Land and Atmosphere Studies (COLA), Paul Schopf, is a product of Princeton’s Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences Program (AOS) and GFDL. He fostered my collaborations with GFDL and encouraged my interactions. Paul also painted quite the picture when communicating how amazing and special GFDL is. Did I mention he paints?

IMG_1556
Bonus GFD points if you identify what is being shown in this painting (Schopf 1974).

During my early years at GFDL I was Princeton Research Scientist working under the guidance and supervision of Robert Hallberg, Anand Gnanadesikan and Alistair Adcroft in the Ocean Modeling Group. My work was focused on research and development with the Hallberg Isopycnal Model (HIM), the Generalized Ocean Layered Dynamics Model (GOLD) and the Modular Ocean Model (MOM). I learned much and expanded my view and understanding of the world of numerical modeling.

Years later I became a federal scientist while in GFDL’s Climate Variability and Prediction group. During that period I was working under supervision of Thomas Delworth and Anthony Rosati. Research highlights for that period included the development of the Coupled Models (CM) CM2.5, CM2.6 and CM2.5-Forecast Low Ocean Resolution (FLOR).

Prior to my current incarnation I was an oceanographer in the Climate Processes and Sensitivity Group here at GFDL. Under Michael Winton my work and research moved into the climate sensitivity arena as well as assisting those involved with GFDL’s biogeochemisty research.

I have been very fortunate to work with a large number GFDL scientists and researchers. As of late, my role has transitioned from scientific to administrative. I look forward to new challenges and to supporting, communicating and enabling the great work here at GFDL.

Cheers,
Whit
whit.anderson@noaa.gov

Recent Publications:

NOAA

Princeton