Seite - 25 - in options, Band summer 2018

institute news 25www.iiasa.ac.at news at iiasa summer 2018 ◼ options IIASA researcher appointed to prestigious position in Finland Leena Ilmola-Sheppard, a researcher with the IIASA Advanced Systems Analysis Program, has been appointed as special advisor to the Finnish Prime Minister’s Office as part of the country’s Toimi project, which aims to identify reform strategies for public services. She will specifically advise on the future wellbeing and health of Finnish citizens using qualitative systems analysis tools developed as part of her work at IIASA. www.iiasa.ac.at/news/Ilmola-18 EGU honors Yoshihide Wada IIASA Water Program Deputy Director, Yoshihide Wada, received the 2018 Arne Richter Award for Outstanding Early Career Scientists at the 2018 European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly, which took place in Vienna in April. He was selected for the award due to the pioneering nature and scope of his work on the effects of the human footprint on the global hydrological cycle. Wada is spearheading this new and growing body of work in hydrology. www.iiasa.ac.at/news/Wada-18 Kabat accepts a new challenge After leading the institute for almost seven years, IIASA Director General and CEO Pavel Kabat, has accepted the position of first Chief Scientist and Research Director of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). In his new role, Kabat will lead the overall strategic direction of WMO science and its underlying research activities. He hopes to bring his extensive experience in systems thinking to this new position and looks forward to greater collaboration between IIASA and the WMO in the future. www.iiasa.ac.at/news/WMO-18 Recognition for excellence in geosciences Keywan Riahi, IIASA Energy Program director, and Zbigniew Klimont, a researcher with the Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Program, were included on a list of the most highly cited researchers worldwide for a second consecutive year. Both scientists were specifically recognized for their outstanding contribution to scientific literature in geosciences. www.iiasa.ac.at/news/Topcited-17 In December 2017, Israel became IIASA’s newest member country with the Israel Committee for IIASA—made up of representatives from Israeli universities and government ministries—representing the Israeli membership of the institute. Together, IIASA, the Israel Committee for IIASA, Israeli researchers, and public planning authorities will develop international research collaborations to find solutions to the complex global challenges that impact Israel, the broader region, and the world. These include projects to support a long-term sustainable energy strategy for Israel, a package of measures to reduce air pollution in the wider region, and scientific support for national socioeconomic strategic planning. “We are delighted to become the newest IIASA member country,” said Moti Herskowitz, head of the Israel Committee for IIASA and former vice- president and dean for research and development at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. “Israel is grappling with multiple challenges, from water and energy security issues, to air pollution and demography that will benefit from the integrated and international perspective that IIASA can provide.” The Israeli Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Israeli National Economic Council will coordinate the activities of the Israel committee for IIASA. Systems analysis is one of the few research tools with the breadth and depth to explore complex problems across multiple sectors, countries, and timeframes, which are typical of many of the challenges facing countries in the Middle East. IIASA membership will help develop the research base for systems analysis in the country through early-career Israeli scientists taking part in IIASA programs for young scientists and a range of opportunities for mid-career researchers. IIASA Director General and CEO Pavel Kabat welcomed Israel, saying: “The quality of Israeli science and its scientists brings great value to IIASA research, and will further enhance the excellence of the international research projects conducted by the institute and its member countries, along with its expertise and collaboration in the Middle East. IS Israel joins IIASA www.iiasa.ac.at/news/Israel-17 In 2016, Shmuel Abramzon, Head of Research at the National Economic Council of Israel, led a delegation from Israel to IIASA to get to know the institute.