Christopher Kenseth, a NSF AGS Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science, was selected as the recipient of the 2025 James R. Holton Award by the American Geophysical Union (AGU). The award “recognizes outstanding scientific research and accomplishments from honorees within three years of receiving their PhD” and “serves to acknowledge exceptional contributions at an early stage of the awardee’s career.” Chris is currently working with Prof. Joel Thornton and will join the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science at the University of Maryland as an Assistant Professor in January 2026.

Atmospheric and Climate Science has had several other winners of the Holton Award: Former Professor Daehyun Kim received the award in 2012; PhD alumni Elizabeth Barnes, Angel Adames, and Marysa Lague received the award in 2014, 2018, and 2021, respectively; and Assistant Professor Alex Turner received the award in 2020.

Prof. Dale Durran is the recipient of this year’s Jule Gregory Charney Lecture, which is “presented annually to a prominent scientist who has made exceptional contributions to the understanding of weather and climate.” “The Charney Lecture is also a part of the Bowie Lecture Series, established in 1989 to commemorate the 50th presentation of the William Bowie medal, AGU’s highest honor. The Bowie medal is named in honor of AGU’s first president.”

Congratulations to all the 2025 AGU Honorees!