Russian Academy of Sciences Vice President Visits OAR Headquarters; Discusses Joint Climate Research
Daniel Parry, OAR Public Affairs
Dr. Richard Spinrad, assistant administrator, NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and Dr. Nikolai Laverov, vice president, Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), held an early spring meeting at NOAA’s Silver Spring headquarters to reaffirm research issues highlighted in the 2003 memorandum of understanding (MOU).
Dr. Nikolai Laverov (left) and Dr. Richard Spinrad meet at OAR Headquarters, Silver Spring, Md.
They discussed pressing issues related to Arctic exploration and continued collaboration on scientific research between the two agencies.
“Realizing the Arctic is undergoing rapid environmental change, we need to better understand the magnitude to which interrelated atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial environmental changes have affected the global environment,” said Dr. Spinrad. “This MOU is useful to promote joint Arctic research and to encourage scientists to explore world ocean and polar region science.
 With locations such as the Tiksi climate observatory in Northern Siberia, Russia, the international science community can develop a more complete understanding of how Polar Regions ultimately influence the oceans, atmosphere and ecosystems. |
This fall, Dr. Spinrad hopes to join NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco and Dr. Laverov in attending the Joint Executive Meeting (JEM) in Russia, to further discuss Arctic research.
The open agenda will explore joint efforts on submersible research vessels; coordinate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Arctic flights with NOAA, NASA, and RAS; strengthen paleoclimate data
exchange; pursue joint ocean ventures using the RAS fleet to increase Arctic ocean and atmosphere observations; and enhance graduate student exchanges for polar research using RAS observatories and research sites.
The Russian Academy of Sciences is a civil, self-governed, non-commercial organization (institution) with a principal mission in the organization and performance of fundamental research for the purpose of obtaining further knowledge of the natural, social and human development principles that promote technological, economic, social and cultural development in Russia.
April 10, 2009