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Shubha Sathyendranath recieves Nansen Polar Bear Award
Professor Shubha Sathyendranath, a team member of the PHOTOCLIM project, has been awarded the prestigious Nansen Polar Bear Award 2026 in recognition of her outstanding contributions to marine science and remote sensing.
The award was presented during the 40th anniversary symposium of the Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Centre in Bergen, Norway.
Over a career spanning nearly five decades, Professor Sathyendranath has played a pioneering role in the development of ocean-colour remote sensing, helping scientists better understand marine ecosystems, phytoplankton dynamics, and the ocean’s role in climate regulation. Her research has had a major global impact, particularly through the use of satellite data to study ocean productivity and climate change. In addition to her scientific achievements, she has contributed extensively to international collaboration in ocean observation and climate research, including leadership roles within the European Space Agency and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The award highlights both her scientific excellence and her long-standing dedication to advancing global marine research.
Tore Furevik, Director of the Nansen Centre, said:
“Shubha Sathyendranath has helped change how we observe and understand the ocean. Through her work on ocean colour from satellites, she has contributed new knowledge about phytoplankton, primary production and the ocean’s importance for the climate. She combines scientific excellence with a strong ability to build international collaboration and new generations of researchers. This makes her a highly deserving recipient of the Nansen Polar Bear Award.”
More infromation about the award can be found here.
