Dr Ashis Kumar Mitra is a highly esteemed figure in the field of weather and climate research, known for his extensive expertise and contributions. With an illustrious career spanning several decades, Dr. Mitra has played a pivotal role in advancing meteorological, ocean sciences and modeling techniques.
Dr. Mitra's academic journey began at Berhampur University, Odisha, where he pursued a B.Sc in Physics (Hons) and later an M.Sc in Physical Oceanography, emerging as the top-ranked student in both programs. His passion for understanding the intricacies of the ocean led him to pursue a Ph.D. in Ocean Modelling from CAS IIT Delhi, where he further honed his research skills and expertise. From 1989 until November 2022, Dr. Ashis Kumar Mitra served as the Director of the prestigious National Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India. His role encompassed a wide range of responsibilities, including atmospheric/ocean data assimilation, global/regional weather and climate modeling, model verification and diagnostics, monsoon processes and modeling, coupled ocean-atmosphere modelling and computing with HPC.
One of Dr. Mitra's significant research contributions has been in the field of coupled ocean-atmosphere modeling for predicting medium, extended, and seasonal weather patterns, with a specific focus on the Indian Monsoon. His expertise in this area has led to advancements in weather prediction and has been instrumental in enhancing our understanding of monsoon dynamics. Throughout his career, Dr. Mitra has published a remarkable 125 research papers in peer-reviewed SCI national and international research journals. His publications have significantly contributed to the scientific community's understanding of weather and climate phenomena, making him a highly respected authority in the field.
Dr. Mitra's expertise has been sought after globally, leading him to collaborate with esteemed institutions such as Florida State University, USA, and the UK Met Office, UK. During these collaborations, he worked on coupled modeling of monsoon systems, further expanding his knowledge and contributing to international research efforts.
Beyond his research endeavors, Dr. Ashis Kumar Mitra has actively participated in various national and international committees related to weather and climate expert groups. He serves as an associate editor of the Royal Meteorological Society journal QJRMS and holds the position of Research Focal Point from India for the RA-II region of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)/United Nations. Dr. Mitra's exemplary contributions to Meteorology/Oceanography and his commitment to advancing weather and climate sciences have earned him widespread recognition and acclaim. His wealth of knowledge and expertise continues to shape the field, inspiring future generations of meteorologists, Oceanographers, and weather/climate scientists.
Overall, Dr. Ashis Kumar Mitra's remarkable career and profound impact on weather and climate research solidify his status as a distinguished figure in the scientific community, dedicated to unravelling the complexities of the atmosphere and enhancing our ability to forecast weather patterns accurately.
