The expert has been selected to scientifically coordinate a strategic international project on sea surface temperature.
Cristina González Haro, researcher at the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) and head of remote sensing at ICATMAR, has been appointed as the new the Scientific Coordination of the Project Office of the Group for High Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (GHRSST). This role is part of a contract awarded through a competitive process by EUMETSAT and funded by the European Copernicus programme.
This appointement reinforces the international projection of ICM-CSIC and ICATMAR —a cooperation body between ICM-CSIC and the Government of Catalonia— in the field of space-based ocean observation and international scientific coordination of sea surface temperature. This physical parameter is essential for understanding climate dynamics, marine ecosystem evolution, and the development of extreme events such as hurricanes or El Niño episodes.
An international network to measure sea temperature
GHRSST is an international initiative responsible for coordinating the production, standardisation, and distribution of global sea surface temperature data obtained via satellite. GHRSST brings together scientists, space agencies, and operational centres from around the world. Thanks to this collaboration, high-quality data is generated almost in real time and made available to the scientific community, public administrations, and other stakeholders.
Within this global network, the GHRSST Project Office plays a central role in supporting the international science team, coordinating technical groups, organizing annual symposia, and promoting training and outreach activities. In addition, the office manages documentation, digital presence, and communication initiatives for the entire GHRSST community.
Scientific leadership and international projection
The new contract will be carried out by a consortium formed by ICM-CSIC and the company Live Now Technology (LNT). Through this contract, ICM-CSIC assumes the leadership of the office's scientific management, contributing its extensive expertise in remote sensing and oceanographic analysis. The ICM-CSIC team will also include researchers Jordi Isern-Fontanet, Aina García-Espriu, and Rubèn Martí Burillo.
According to González Haro:
“Securing this contract represents recognition of ICM’s track record in Earth observation and strengthens its capacity to lead high-impact international scientific initiatives. This project will allow us to continue contributing to the development and improvement of essential tools for monitoring climate change and ocean health.”
The funding, provided by the European Union’s Copernicus programme through EUMETSAT, ensures the continuity of GHRSST activities and consolidates its role as a key infrastructure for guaranteeing open access to global sea surface temperature data.
In this context, the leadership of ICM-CSIC not only strengthens its international standing but also makes a decisive contribution to advancing knowledge about the oceans and their role in the climate system. Coordinating this initiative will further promote global scientific collaboration and the development of essential tools to address the challenges associated with climate change and the conservation of marine ecosystems.