Dustin Swales, a Physical Scientist at the NOAA Global Systems Laboratory, made indispensable scientific, technical, and leadership contributions to the DTC Common Community Physics Package (CCPP) project. His work was pivotal in advancing the integration of the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS) dynamical core with the Unified Forecast System (UFS) Weather Model (WM) and integrating RRTMGP into CCPP.
As a key contributor to the development and testing of the CCPP Single Column Model, Dustin played a central role in creating the UFS Case Generator and its associated testing harness. This capability is now widely employed by both DTC and external scientists for hierarchical model development. Furthermore, leveraging his deep expertise in the CCPP Framework, Dustin has partnered with the NSF NCAR Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory and the Navy Research Laboratory to engineer advanced capabilities for future implementations.
Dustin also provided vital technical leadership for the development of the MPAS-enabled UFS WM (MPAS-UFS). By guiding the technical team, establishing the capability for dycore-only execution, integrating radiation components, and developing regression tests, he has rapidly accelerated the readiness level of MPAS-UFS. Across all initiatives, Dustin is recognized as an exceptional colleague. He is consistently positive, collaborative, and driven to solve complex problems.
Through his initiative, robust cross-institutional collaborations, and proactive approach, Dustin has significantly enhanced the readiness, usability, and interoperability of the CCPP and the MPAS dynamical core. His achievements cement his position as a pillar of DTC software development and distinguish him as a highly deserving recipient of this award.
