Professor Shubha Sathyendranath has been awarded this year’s Nansen Polar Bear Award for her pioneering work in satellite‑based ocean research. The award was presented during the Nansen Center’s 40th Anniversary Symposium in Bergen on 12–13 May.
The award recipient is one of the world’s leading scientists in ocean colour remote sensing, a field that makes it possible to study life in the ocean from space. For nearly five decades, her work has contributed to new understanding of phytoplankton, primary production, and the role of the ocean in the climate system.
Satellites do not only measure temperature and sea ice. They can also provide insight into marine life. By analysing the colour of the ocean, scientists can estimate the amount of phytoplankton present and track how biological production in the ocean changes over time. This is central to understanding both the carbon cycle and climate change. Sathyendranath has played a key role in the development of this field. Her research has had an impact far beyond a single scientific community, strengthening the links between biology and physics, between ocean and atmosphere, and between observations and climate research.
“Shubha Sathyendranath has helped change how we observe and understand the ocean. She combines strong scientific expertise with an exceptional ability to build international collaboration and support new generations of researchers. This makes her a very deserving recipient of the Nansen Polar Bear Award”, says Tore Furevik, Director of the Nansen Center.
The award recipient was present in Bergen during the symposium. “I wish to thank all my colleagues over the years, who have worked with me, colleagues, friends, and students, to whom I owe a lot. This is not an award for a single person, for a single achievement, it is for our collective work, and for that I am grateful”, she said when receiving the award.
