Francisco de Melo Viríssimo
NP Nonlinear Processes in Geosciences
The 2026 Arne Richter Award for Outstanding Early Career Scientists is awarded to Francisco de Melo Viríssimo for groundbreaking interdisciplinary research spanning nonlinear dynamics, marine biogeochemistry and climate science, and for outstanding contributions as educator, mentor, and scientific community leader.
De Melo Viríssimo is an exceptional Early Career Scientist whose interdisciplinary research bridges mathematics, geosciences, and climate science. His career exemplifies scientific versatility, creativity, and leadership, with contributions that have reshaped understanding across multiple fields. After completing a PhD in mathematics, De Melo Viríssimo redirected his expertise from computational mathematics to marine science at the National Oceanography Centre, in the UK. There, he made a transformative discovery on the role of seasonality in regulating the biological carbon pump, solving a long-standing puzzle in global biogeochemistry and clarifying its impact on carbon sequestration in the ocean. He subsequently transitioned to climate science at the London School of Economics, where he developed novel frameworks combining non-autonomous dynamical systems with climate modelling. This innovative work enhances the design and interpretation of climate ensembles, advancing the way uncertainty in projections is understood. It has been recognised with national awards and is already influencing approaches to climate risk assessment in policy and finance.
De Melo Viríssimo’s contributions extend far beyond research. As an educator, he has taught widely in mathematics and environmental science, and created the first postgraduate module on the mathematical modelling of marine biogeochemical cycles. His pioneering flipped-classroom approach and interdisciplinary teaching have inspired students at all levels. He has also supervised numerous postgraduate researchers, helping to train the next generation of climate scientists and applied mathematicians. Equally significant is his service to the wider community. He has organised major international scientific EGU sessions at the General Assembly, and leads cross-journal editorial initiatives on ensemble methods and the mathematics of Earth Systems. He has been instrumental in building bridges between disciplines, fostering collaborations that connect mathematics with oceanography, climate science, and policy.
Through his pioneering interdisciplinary research, dedication to education, and outstanding community engagement, De Melo Viríssimo has made a profound and wide-ranging impact at a remarkably early stage of his career. His work embodies the spirit of the European Geosciences Union, making him a highly deserving recipient of the Arne Richter Award.