About
Adjunct Research Fellow
Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
prasad_shelke@outlook.com
Summary
I am a climate scientist with a PhD in Geophysics and a strong academic foundation in meteorology, oceanography and atmospheric sciences. My expertise lies in climate variability and change, atmospheric dynamics, extreme weather events, climate modelling and translating complex scientific data into reliable evidence for climate-risk assessment, adaptation planning and informed decision-making. I have extensive experience analysing large climate datasets, including ERA5 and other reanalyses, CMIP climate-model ensembles using Python, advanced statistical methods and high-performance computing. My research involved global assessments of atmospheric blocking, heatwaves and cold waves, including the development of spatial risk indicators and ensemble-based confidence maps to evaluate future climate changes and associated uncertainties. This work has resulted in peer-reviewed research published in Geophysical Research Letters.
My international research experience also includes investigating drought, Indian monsoon variability and ocean-atmosphere teleconnections at IIT Bombay, and contributing to a highly reputed Marie Skłodowska Curie research project addressing atmospheric mercury pollution in the Mediterranean, involving WRF-Chem modelling, model development work and detailed technical reporting in the context of the Minamata Convention. I have independently managed complex research projects, secured approximately NZ$250k in competitive grant proposals and awards supporting independent research projects, international research dissemination, delivered invited scientific talks and presentations at major international conferences, and served as an expert peer reviewer for Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. I offer specialist services in climate-data analysis, climate-hazard assessment, extreme-event analysis, climate-model evaluation, uncertainty quantification, scientific and technical report preparation, independent expert review, research design and science communication. I am available for independent or collaborative consultancy assignments, including remote engagements, supporting government agencies, environmental consultancies, research institutions and organisations working on climate resilience and adaptation across New Zealand, the Pacific and internationally.
My international research experience also includes investigating drought, Indian monsoon variability and ocean-atmosphere teleconnections at IIT Bombay, and contributing to a highly reputed Marie Skłodowska Curie research project addressing atmospheric mercury pollution in the Mediterranean, involving WRF-Chem modelling, model development work and detailed technical reporting in the context of the Minamata Convention. I have independently managed complex research projects, secured approximately NZ$250k in competitive grant proposals and awards supporting independent research projects, international research dissemination, delivered invited scientific talks and presentations at major international conferences, and served as an expert peer reviewer for Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. I offer specialist services in climate-data analysis, climate-hazard assessment, extreme-event analysis, climate-model evaluation, uncertainty quantification, scientific and technical report preparation, independent expert review, research design and science communication. I am available for independent or collaborative consultancy assignments, including remote engagements, supporting government agencies, environmental consultancies, research institutions and organisations working on climate resilience and adaptation across New Zealand, the Pacific and internationally.
Publications
Title: Southern Hemispheric Atmospheric Blocking Patterns in CESM-LENS2: Effects of Reversal Versus Anomaly Approaches
Publisher: Geophysical Research Letters by American Geophysical Union
Date published: 16/04/2026
Link: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025GL120428
Title: Northern Hemispheric atmospheric blocking representation in Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble 2
Publisher: Research Square (Preprint)
Date published: 26/08/2025
Link: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-7450441/v1
Conference papers:
Title: Are we missing future extreme events by ignoring less persistent blocking?
Publisher: European Geosciences Union (EGU), EGU General Assembly 2024
Date published: 2024
Link: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU24/EGU24-10982.html
Title: Does ‘Blocking’ Shape the Future of Antarctic Heat Extremes?
Publisher: European Geosciences Union (EGU), EGU General Assembly 2025
Date published: 2025
Link: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU25/EGU25-14224.html
Title: Atmospheric Blocking in Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble 2
Publisher: US CLIVAR, Blocking and Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate Workshop
Date: March 2024
Link: https://usclivar.org/abstract-blocking-2024/atmospheric-blocking-community-earth-system-model-large-ensemble-2
Title: ‘LENS’ing through Internal Variability in Heat Waves
Publisher/Organiser: NSF NCAR, 30th Annual CESM Workshop
Date: 10/06/2025 (presentation date)
Link: https://www.cesm.ucar.edu/sites/default/files/2025-05/cvcwg-agenda-cesm-workshop-2025docx_0.pdf
Title: Is the Community Earth System Model up to the challenge of Southern Hemispheric blocking?
Publisher/Organiser: Meteorological Society of New Zealand, Annual Conference 2024
Date: November 2024
Link: https://www.metsoc.org.nz/Meteorological-Society-of-New-Zealand-Annual-Conference
Title: Northern Hemispheric Atmospheric Blocking Representation in the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble 2
Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU), AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts 2023
Date: December 2023
Link: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2023AGUFM.A53P2491S/abstract
Title: Atmospheric Blocking Representation in the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble 2
Publisher/Organiser: Meteorological Society of New Zealand, Annual Conference 2023
Date: November 2023
Link: https://www.metsoc.org.nz/Meteorological-Society-of-New-Zealand-Annual-Conference
Publisher: Geophysical Research Letters by American Geophysical Union
Date published: 16/04/2026
Link: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025GL120428
Title: Northern Hemispheric atmospheric blocking representation in Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble 2
Publisher: Research Square (Preprint)
Date published: 26/08/2025
Link: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-7450441/v1
Conference papers:
Title: Are we missing future extreme events by ignoring less persistent blocking?
Publisher: European Geosciences Union (EGU), EGU General Assembly 2024
Date published: 2024
Link: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU24/EGU24-10982.html
Title: Does ‘Blocking’ Shape the Future of Antarctic Heat Extremes?
Publisher: European Geosciences Union (EGU), EGU General Assembly 2025
Date published: 2025
Link: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU25/EGU25-14224.html
Title: Atmospheric Blocking in Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble 2
Publisher: US CLIVAR, Blocking and Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate Workshop
Date: March 2024
Link: https://usclivar.org/abstract-blocking-2024/atmospheric-blocking-community-earth-system-model-large-ensemble-2
Title: ‘LENS’ing through Internal Variability in Heat Waves
Publisher/Organiser: NSF NCAR, 30th Annual CESM Workshop
Date: 10/06/2025 (presentation date)
Link: https://www.cesm.ucar.edu/sites/default/files/2025-05/cvcwg-agenda-cesm-workshop-2025docx_0.pdf
Title: Is the Community Earth System Model up to the challenge of Southern Hemispheric blocking?
Publisher/Organiser: Meteorological Society of New Zealand, Annual Conference 2024
Date: November 2024
Link: https://www.metsoc.org.nz/Meteorological-Society-of-New-Zealand-Annual-Conference
Title: Northern Hemispheric Atmospheric Blocking Representation in the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble 2
Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU), AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts 2023
Date: December 2023
Link: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2023AGUFM.A53P2491S/abstract
Title: Atmospheric Blocking Representation in the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble 2
Publisher/Organiser: Meteorological Society of New Zealand, Annual Conference 2023
Date: November 2023
Link: https://www.metsoc.org.nz/Meteorological-Society-of-New-Zealand-Annual-Conference
Qualifications
Academic Qualifications
- PhD in Geophysics, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, 2026.
- Master of Technology (M.Tech.) in Atmospheric Sciences, Department of Atmospheric and Space Sciences, India, 2019.
- Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Mechanical Engineering, Savitribai Phule Pune University, India, 2016.
Professional Society Memberships
- New Zealand Antarctic Society (Wellington Committee member, 2023-present)
- American Geophysical Union (AGU) Member (2023 - present)
- European Geosciences Union (EGU) Member (2022 - present)
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (MetSoc) Member (2023 - present)
Scientific Service and Professional Appointments
- Expert Reviewer, Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, American Geophysical Union (AGU); reviewed two research manuscripts and their subsequent revisions, 2025-2026.
- Co-convener and Session Chair, Atmospheric Rossby Waves, Blocking and Jet Stream Dynamics, and Their Impacts on Extreme Weather and Climate Events, European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly, 2026.
My formal education encompasses mechanical engineering, atmospheric dynamics, meteorology, climatology, oceanography, numerical modelling, climate variability and environmental sciences, supported by extensive independent research experience.
- PhD in Geophysics, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, 2026.
- Master of Technology (M.Tech.) in Atmospheric Sciences, Department of Atmospheric and Space Sciences, India, 2019.
- Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Mechanical Engineering, Savitribai Phule Pune University, India, 2016.
Professional Society Memberships
- New Zealand Antarctic Society (Wellington Committee member, 2023-present)
- American Geophysical Union (AGU) Member (2023 - present)
- European Geosciences Union (EGU) Member (2022 - present)
- Meteorological Society of New Zealand (MetSoc) Member (2023 - present)
Scientific Service and Professional Appointments
- Expert Reviewer, Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, American Geophysical Union (AGU); reviewed two research manuscripts and their subsequent revisions, 2025-2026.
- Co-convener and Session Chair, Atmospheric Rossby Waves, Blocking and Jet Stream Dynamics, and Their Impacts on Extreme Weather and Climate Events, European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly, 2026.
My formal education encompasses mechanical engineering, atmospheric dynamics, meteorology, climatology, oceanography, numerical modelling, climate variability and environmental sciences, supported by extensive independent research experience.
Work Experience
2026-Present | Adjunct Research Fellow
Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
- Conduct independent research in atmospheric dynamics, climate variability, extreme weather events and climate change.
- Develop scientific analyses and research publications addressing climate-model performance, atmospheric circulation and future climate extremes.
- Contribute to research collaboration and postgraduate research supervision, including Antarctic climate and sea-ice variability.
2026 | Teaching Assistant / Tutor - Climate Dynamics (PHYG413)
Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
- Supported postgraduate teaching and assessment in climate dynamics, atmospheric processes and climate variability.
- Reviewed and evaluated scientific essays and research assignments, providing technical feedback on scientific reasoning, methodology and communication.
2022-2026 | Doctoral Researcher - Climate Science and Atmospheric Dynamics
Antarctic Research Centre and School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
- Independently designed and managed a large-scale climate research project investigating atmospheric blocking, climate variability and extreme temperature events across both hemispheres.
- Analysed extensive climate-model ensembles and atmospheric reanalysis datasets, including CESM-LENS2 and ERA5, using Python, advanced statistical methods and high-performance computing.
- Developed and evaluated atmospheric blocking detection methodologies, climate-risk indicators and spatial confidence maps to investigate historical variability and future climate projections.
- Produced peer-reviewed scientific publications, technical analyses and international research presentations, translating complex climate data into scientifically defensible findings.
- Secured approximately NZ$30,000 (during this period) in competitive grants and awards supporting international research activities and scientific dissemination.
2021-2022 | Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow
National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Italy
- Contributed to an international research project investigating atmospheric mercury transport and pollution in the Mediterranean region, relevant to the objectives of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
- Worked with the WRF-Chem atmospheric modelling system, including source-code development efforts involving bromine chemistry and atmospheric mercury transport processes.
- Conducted scientific literature assessments and prepared detailed technical documentation on mercury pollution, atmospheric processes and environmental implications.
- Collaborated within an international, multidisciplinary research environment addressing atmospheric chemistry, environmental modelling and pollution assessment.
2019-2020 | Junior Research Fellow - Climate Science
Centre for Climate Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), India
- Conducted research on Indian monsoon variability, drought, ocean–atmosphere interactions and large-scale climate teleconnections.
- Analysed meteorological and oceanographic datasets to investigate climate variability, drought-related mechanisms and implications for climate adaptation and predictability.
- Contributed to scientific research involving climate diagnostics, statistical analysis, data interpretation and technical reporting.
Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
- Conduct independent research in atmospheric dynamics, climate variability, extreme weather events and climate change.
- Develop scientific analyses and research publications addressing climate-model performance, atmospheric circulation and future climate extremes.
- Contribute to research collaboration and postgraduate research supervision, including Antarctic climate and sea-ice variability.
2026 | Teaching Assistant / Tutor - Climate Dynamics (PHYG413)
Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
- Supported postgraduate teaching and assessment in climate dynamics, atmospheric processes and climate variability.
- Reviewed and evaluated scientific essays and research assignments, providing technical feedback on scientific reasoning, methodology and communication.
2022-2026 | Doctoral Researcher - Climate Science and Atmospheric Dynamics
Antarctic Research Centre and School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
- Independently designed and managed a large-scale climate research project investigating atmospheric blocking, climate variability and extreme temperature events across both hemispheres.
- Analysed extensive climate-model ensembles and atmospheric reanalysis datasets, including CESM-LENS2 and ERA5, using Python, advanced statistical methods and high-performance computing.
- Developed and evaluated atmospheric blocking detection methodologies, climate-risk indicators and spatial confidence maps to investigate historical variability and future climate projections.
- Produced peer-reviewed scientific publications, technical analyses and international research presentations, translating complex climate data into scientifically defensible findings.
- Secured approximately NZ$30,000 (during this period) in competitive grants and awards supporting international research activities and scientific dissemination.
2021-2022 | Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow
National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Italy
- Contributed to an international research project investigating atmospheric mercury transport and pollution in the Mediterranean region, relevant to the objectives of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
- Worked with the WRF-Chem atmospheric modelling system, including source-code development efforts involving bromine chemistry and atmospheric mercury transport processes.
- Conducted scientific literature assessments and prepared detailed technical documentation on mercury pollution, atmospheric processes and environmental implications.
- Collaborated within an international, multidisciplinary research environment addressing atmospheric chemistry, environmental modelling and pollution assessment.
2019-2020 | Junior Research Fellow - Climate Science
Centre for Climate Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), India
- Conducted research on Indian monsoon variability, drought, ocean–atmosphere interactions and large-scale climate teleconnections.
- Analysed meteorological and oceanographic datasets to investigate climate variability, drought-related mechanisms and implications for climate adaptation and predictability.
- Contributed to scientific research involving climate diagnostics, statistical analysis, data interpretation and technical reporting.