Dr. L. Ruby Leung, a distinguished atmospheric scientist specializing in climate modeling and the water cycle at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, was recently invited to serve on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (BASC).

The board works to advance understanding of atmospheric and climate science, providing advice to the federal government and guiding U.S. research programs on how to meet the nation's needs. The BASC meets in person twice a year to talk with agencies involved in atmospheric and climate science, discuss new and emerging science, and plan initiatives.

Members also provide oversight for activities such as discussion forums and program reviews, examine new ideas for studies, and pinpoint important, up-and-coming research areas.

Leung’s research helps inform national decisions related to water, agriculture, energy, public health, and national security. As the Chief Climate Scientist of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) project, funded by the Earth System Modeling program, she works with three dedicated groups on individual Earth system components as well as the coupled system to provide scientific guidance that will lead to strong climate modeling results. She is also the principal investigator for the Water Cycle and Climate Extremes Modeling project, a science focus area at PNNL supported by the Regional and Global Climate Modeling program.