Obituary Vale Gemma Narisma
BAMOS April 2021
23
With great sadness , we learnt of the untimely death of Gemma Narisma on 5 March 2021 . Gemma was a member of the AMOS community during her PhD candidature at Macquarie University . Her research work focused on the impact of land cover change on the Australian climate . After her PhD , she then joined the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment ( SAGE ) at the University of Wisconsin , Madison as a Research Associate . At SAGE , Gemma studied abrupt changes in climate and identified regions of the world where sudden , unexpected and prolonged droughts occurred during the 20th century . Gemma had always spoken of returning home to give back to her community . She returned to the Philippines where her career continued to flourish culminating in a professorship at the Ateneo de Manila University and Directorship of the Manila Observatory .
Gemma ’ s expertise was internationally recognised . She was one of the coordinating lead authors of the Atlas of the Working Group I contribution to AR6 and she received numerous awards honouring her work as a researcher . Gemma was a leading subject matter expert in the Philippines on climate resilience , severe weather and natural hazards . She also cultivated a reputation as a quintessential mentor and champion for young Filipino scientists .
In 2019 , Gemma reengaged with the AMOS community at the AMOS – ICTMO conference in Darwin where she was an invited plenary speaker . Gemma reported on the initial results of the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment / Southeast Asia Climate Downscaling Project ( SEACLID / CORDEX-SEA ) and introduced the CAMP2Ex ( Cloud Aerosol Monsoon Processes in the Philippines Experiment ) initiative as well as discussing impact relevant and trans disciplinary climate research .
Born on 12 April 1972 , Gemma passed away just shy of her 49th birthday , battling a serious illness . Many of Gemma ’ s international friends and colleagues were unaware of her illness , so the news of her passing and announcement of funeral service , held on the same day , was a shock to many . Nevertheless , the service was attended by hundreds of friends and colleagues from around the world . Gemma ’ s dedication and service to her faith , her science and her local community were deeply evident in the outpouring of tributes at the service and since .
Gemma ’ s legacy lives on in her work , her students and our memories . IPCC Working Group I has decided to dedicate the AR6 Working Group I Atlas to Gemma Narisma in her honour . Gemma was featured in a children ’ s book ,
Beyond the Storm , as part of the Women of Science series written by Dr . Ma . Mercedes T . Rodrigo , Ateneo de Manila University , illustrated by George Vincent Bien and published by Bookmark , Inc . in May 2017 . The following is an excerpt from the book that was featured in the
Ateneo de Manila University news :
" Putting down the phone , Gemma thought about the road ahead . Helping this community would be difficult . She needed the help of other scientists , other researchers . She needed to reach out to local government , communities , and the organizations that worked with them . She needed to train the younger researchers to help her , to make sure the research continues and grows . She took a deep breath . Her work has just begun ."
— Angela Maharaj ( AMOS President ).