Young researchers in the spotlight: René Wijngaard

2 January 2025

In June, the PolarRES Early Career Researcher Bootcamp brought together a group of inspiring climate scientists. During the event, we had the opportunity to interview some of these talented researchers, asking them about their journeys, aspirations and perspectives.

We are excited to share not only the video highlights but also the full interviews in text format, offering a deeper dive into their insights and experiences. This week, we spotlight René Wijngaard, a postdoctoral researcher at Utrecht University. Below, you will find the featured video, followed by the complete transcribed interview.

Please tell us a bit more about yourself.

I am a postdoctoral researcher at Utrecht University, working at the Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research. I have been working on the PolarRES project now for almost two years, specifically on Work Package 2, which focuses on global models. My work primarily involves the variable-resolution Community Earth System Model.

For PolarRES I also collaborate with two other modelling groups: AWI, who work on the ICON model, and NORCE, who work with the MPA model. Together, we apply a regionally refined grid over the Arctic and Antarctica to perform different types of simulations. These are partly based on evaluation and partly based on storyline simulation to explore potential future scenarios in the Arctic and Antarctica.

What has been the most interesting aspect of working on PolarRES

That is an interesting question. Personally, I focus more on climate extremes, but one of the most interesting aspects of working on PolarRES is the interaction between the different research groups. I also find the field impressions shared by others very interesting to see and hear about.

How does PolarRES fit into you career trajectory so far?

I actually did my PhD and first postdoc in a slightly different area, focusing on high Mountain Asia. People call it the “Third Pole”. To some extent, there is a connection with the Arctic and Antarctic, as these regions also have significant ice and snow dynamics.

During my first postdoc in South Korea, I started working with the variable-resolution Community Earth System Model. I developed a new grid for High Mountain Asia to study surface mass balance and other variables like snow and precipitation. Through that project, I was approached by someone within the Community Earth System Model network, who suggested me to consider working at Utrecht University. That is how the opportunity arose. I applied for the position, and here I am.

In a sense, it is a continuation of what I was already doing, but applied to different regions.

What inspired you to do what you do today?

What I like most about my work is understanding the various components of the earth system. When I began studying several years ago, I started with a bachelor’s degree in geology, earth sciences. However, geology often involves trying to piece together stories from rocks millions of years old, which makes it difficult to really get an idea of what was happening at the time.

Gradually, I transitioned towards atmospheric sciences, starting with hydrology, then moving into glaciology. This sparked my interest in the cryosphere and mountains. Now I am also getting more involved in the atmosphere and the ocean and trying to understand the sea-ice interactions. It is very interesting to see all these interactions and how it works. Very complex as well.

Do you have a science idol or someone in the field who inspires you greatly?

I admire what my PhD supervisor did. He started working in Nepal several years ago, setting up observation stations. Over the last decade or so, he has expanded his work not just in Nepal but across other parts of High Mountain Asia, including Tajikistan. He collaborates closely with groups like the Tibetan Plateau Institute and various organisations in Nepal and elsewhere in High Mountain Asia. It is very impressive to see what he is working on.

Do you have a cool Arctic or Antarctic fun fact?

To be honest, I am not so familiar yet with the Arctic and Antarctica regions. Despite working two years in this area it is not really my main area of expertise. I do not have any specific cool facts to share just yet.

Do you have a cool fact from your area of expertise?

I find it fascinating how different the behaviour of clean glaciers is compared to glaciers covered by debris. Debris-covered glaciers exhibit entirely different dynamics compared to clean ice glaciers. I had the opportunity to stand on debris-covered glaciers in Nepal, and they are incredibly active. You can hear them moving and you can see it all around you that it is not always very stable.

What are your impressions of this year’s bootcamp? Do you have any takeaways from this year’s edition, what did you like?

The location is really nice. Although, unfortunately, the weather has not been very cooperative. It is a bit chilly. But on the other hand, as polar scientists, we should be able to handle the cold! What I like most, as with the previous ECR Bootcamp, is the opportunity to come together, collaborate and socialise. Working in person together really speeds up the progress.

What did you work on this boot camp?

We focused on setting up a paper based on our simulations, specifically evaluating the models. Quite a bit of groundwork had already been done before the ECR Bootcamp, but we used this time to refine figures, write down the key points, and analyse the common features between the three models.