SEESS, IISER Thiruvananthapuram

17/07/2026

Researchers track whales from satellite eyes!

New paper led by Rebekah Shunmugapandi on “Evaluation of a satellite-derived Astaxanthin Equivalent Index against in situ zooplankton and right whale observations in the Gulf of Maine,” is now published in the ICES Journal of Marine Science. The study evaluates the potential of satellite ocean-colour observations to detect astaxanthin-rich zooplankton and support the identification of North Atlantic right whale feeding habitats.

Read the full article here: https://academic.oup.com/icesjms/article/83/7/fsag122/8733979

05/06/2026

On World Environment Day, the School of Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences (SEESS) at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, hosted a special lecture by Prof. D. Nagesh Kumar, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) on “Role of Geospatial Tools in Urban Climate Resilience.” The talk highlighted how spatial data and geospatial technologies can inform sustainable urban planning, climate risks, and disaster management. The lecture sparked lively discussion among faculty and students, and was presided over by Prof. J. N. Moorthy, Director of IISER Thiruvananthapuram.

22/04/2026

Dr. Arvind Singh from the Geosciences Division of Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad visited the School of Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences and interacted with the faculty members and students. He also provided an overview of exciting research activities that his research group is engaged in.

07/04/2026

We are thrilled to share a new publication from Dr. Vishnu S titled 'Contribution of Low Pressure Systems Rainfall to Interannual Variability of the Indian Summer Monsoon' in the Journal of Climate: https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/clim/aop/JCLI-D-25-0381.1/JCLI-D-25-0381.1.xml

This study quantifies the role of Monsoon Low Pressure Systems (LPS) in the yearly changes of Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR). It finds that during years with heavy rainfall, LPS contributes to increased precipitation due to higher background humidity and upward air movement from its strengthened dynamic intensity. The study also points out that LPS are stronger and narrower in pluvial years compared to drought years, a factor often overlooked when using traditional intensity matrices. This highlights the need to revise the assessment of the intensity of tropical storms.

IISERTVM

Abstract Monsoon Low-Pressure Systems (LPS) are significant rain-bearing storms during the Indian summer monsoon, yet their impact on the interannual variation of Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) remains uncertain. This study revisits the relationship between LPS and ISMR variations and extreme...

02/04/2026

At the IISERTVM, Dr. Unnikrishnan C.K, Scientist D, National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS), delivered an engaging lecture on 🌩️ “Thunderstorms and Lightning Hotspots: Progress and Challenges in Observations and Modelling.”
Hosted under the COMPASS initiative at SEESS, IISER Thiruvananthapuram, the session ignited curiosity, inspired young researchers, and highlighted the critical role of atmospheric science in understanding a changing climate.

02/03/2026

We are happy to share that Arun Jo Mathew, a PhD student from the School of Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, working under the guidance of Pramitha M, won the Best Presentation Award at the 23rd National Space Science Symposium (NSSS 2026) held at NESAC, Umiam, Meghalaya. He presented his work titled 'GLOFI–A methodology and toolbox for scale-separation of satellite observations for analysis of gravity waves' under the scientific session on Middle Atmosphere, Atmospheric Coupling, Dynamics, Aeronomy, and Sun-Earth Connection, which was organised by ISRO.

15/02/2026

The School of Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences at IISER Thiruvananthapuram (IISERTVM) organized the third edition of the Frontiers Symposium in Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences (FSE) from 13–15 February 2026. The event was inaugurated by Prof. J. N. Moorthy, Director of IISER Thiruvananthapuram, and featured exciting talks by 20 experts working across disciplines from the Earth's core to the outer atmosphere. Around 25 external students participated in the symposium, which also included poster presentations from both internal and external PhD and BS-MS students.

11/02/2026

The School of EESS at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram is all geared up to host the third edition of the Frontiers Symposium in Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences (FSE), scheduled for 13–15 February 2026.

The FSE 2026 will feature invited talks across various domains of Earth and Environmental Sciences, complemented by poster presentations from both external and internal students.

The list of speakers and abstracts for talks and posters is available at https://sites.google.com/iisertvm.ac.in/fse-2026

02/01/2026

We are delighted to share that the School of Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Science (SEESS) at IISER Thiruvananthapuram is going to organise the third edition of Frontiers Symposium in Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences (FSE) during 13-15 February 2026. The details of the speakers, program schedule and registration can be found at https://sites.google.com/iisertvm.ac.in/fse-2026?usp=sharing

This symposium will provide an excellent opportunity for the postgraduate students, BS-MS and B. Tech. (4th year) students, Ph.D. scholars, and postdoctoral researchers with relevant academic backgrounds to attend the talks and present their research as posters. A total of 25 external participants will be selected based on their academic performance and the relevance of their educational background to the theme of the symposium.

Registration deadline: 16 January 2026

About the Symposium The School of Earth, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences (SEESS) at IISER Thiruvananthapuram conducts an annual symposium series, Frontiers Symposium in Earth, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences (FSE), in February every year. This initiative aims to foster

13/12/2025

We had an engaging session featuring insightful presentations by Alessio Sanfilippo (University of Pavia, Italy), Manon Bickert (Geo-Ocean, Brest, France), and Victoria Pavlovics (University of Utah, USA) at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram. Their research in the Geosciences spans mantle petrology, geochemistry, deformation processes, and rock magnetism. All three researchers are actively involved in ocean-going expeditions focused on seafloor dredging and drilling.