Axel Timmermann won the award, which annually honors a scientist who has made significant contributions to marine science in one of six broad areas: meteorology and physical oceanography; marine geology and geophysics; marine and atmospheric chemistry; marine biology and fisheries; applied marine physics; and marine affairs and policy.

Timmermann is associate professor of oceanography and research team leader at the International Pacific Research Center, the climate research center at the University of Hawai'i. He conducts research into the role of the ocean in changing climates, especially in climates extending back hundreds of thousands of years. Computer climate models, which represent in mathematical terms the interactions among the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and ice, are his major tools. His aim is to provide the field of climate research with a better understanding of climate processes, to improve the skill of the models in simulating climate realistically, and to reduce their uncertainties in projecting future climate.

Timmermann is the second UH researcher to be honored with the award. In 1981, world-renowned UH Manoa oceanography professor Klaus Wyrtki received the Rosenstiel Award. Wyrtki is probably best known for his research that provided a key piece to the El Niño puzzle that helped in forecasting such events.

Timmermann will officially receive the award this spring during a banquet held at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami. The award consists of a gold medal and $10,000. During his visit, Timmermann will be giving several talks to both public and scientific audiences.