Dr Paul Sandery

Dr. Paul Sandery is a scientist renowned for his work in ocean prediction systems. He holds a PhD in Physical and Dynamical Ocean Modelling from Flinders University (2007). Dr. Sandery’s early career was marked by groundbreaking research in the Bass Strait, where he developed an intricate understanding of regional ocean dynamics.

A key milestone in Dr. Sandery’s career was his tenure at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (2008-2018), where he significantly advanced ocean modelling and data assimilation techniques and delivered essential improvements for accurate short- to medium-range forecasts of phenomena like the East Australian Current and tropical cyclones. He played a role in integrating real-time observational data into models, significantly enhancing their capability, accuracy and reliability for ocean and weather prediction. His first-authored publications during this period reflect his deep expertise in ocean modelling, data assimilation, and coupled prediction systems.

Dr. Sandery joined CSIRO in 2018 and among his notable contributions is the development of the CAFE (Climate Analysis and Forecasting Ensemble) prediction system, a sophisticated tool designed to enhance the accuracy of climate predictions by integrating comprehensive remotely sensed and in-situ atmospheric, oceanographic, sea-ice and terrestrial data with advanced computational methods.

Currently, Dr. Sandery serves as the lead developer of the ROAM Data Assimilation System (RDAS) at CSIRO. This state-of-the-art system, operating on Australia’s National Computational Infrastructure (NCI) supercomputer, represents a leap forward in ocean prediction capabilities. RDAS utilizes an Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) to assimilate diverse ocean data, providing high-resolution forecasts that are invaluable for both scientific research and practical applications.

Dr. Sandery’s work continues to influence the next generation of oceanographic research, ensuring that his contributions will be felt for years to come. His dedication to advancing our understanding of the ocean’s complexities underscores his standing as a leading figure in the field of oceanography.