PML’s Dr Shubha Sathyendranath Receives Prestigious Award

30 November 2022

Dr. Shubha Sathyendranath, a highly-respected remote sensing Merit Scientist at Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), has been awarded the Knight of the Order of Cultural Merit. HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover, sister of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, presented the award at a ceremony on the 18th of November at the Prince’s Palace in Monaco.

The fourth highest Order of the Principality of Monaco, the medal is awarded to those who have made a distinctive contribution to the arts, letters or science through their work or teaching.

Dr. Sathyendranath commented on the award: "It was indeed a great honour, and a wonderful experience. As always, such acknowledgement owes much to all colleagues who have been part of the scientific work that it recognises. It was an unforgettable occasion to be part of a group that included the leading lights in arts and culture in Monaco".

Shubha, who has worked at PML since 2006, has created significant impact on many aspects of biological oceanography and was one of the first oceanographers to see the potential of ocean-colour satellite observations to study various aspects of biological oceanography at both global and regional scales.

In 2013, she was awarded the Grande Médaille Albert Premier by the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco for the sustained excellence of her contributions to marine optics and remote sensing.

Her pioneering work, which was also recognised for the prestigious A.G. Huntsman Medal in 2021, has greatly accelerated the fields of marine optics and ocean-colour remote sensing and provided key insights into the structure and function of the marine ecosystem at the global scale, and the role of phytoplankton in the climate system, with implications well beyond her immediate fields.

In addition to her own outstanding research contributions, Dr Sathyendranath has also made great contributions to the marine sciences through her visionary and diplomatic leadership of international scientific coordination and capacity-building initiatives.

As the first Executive Director of the Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO), she advanced a vision of international cooperation to establish a global network of marine observations, and a vision of a world in which people from all countries have the capacity to conduct excellent marine science.

Shubha has also made significant contributions to the activities of the International Ocean Colour Coordinating Group (IOCCG), advancing international collaborations in remote sensing.

Congratulations Shubha!