Assoc Prof Adam Switzer new Permanent Representative of Singapore to CCOP

On 23 January 2020, Associate Professor Adam Switzer, holding concurrent positions as Principal Investigator at the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) and Assistant Professor at the Asian School of Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, succeeded Prof. Kerry Sieh as Permanent Representative of Singapore to CCOP.

Assoc Prof Switzer is primarily a sedimentologist with interests in coastal geomorphology, palaeoenvironments and natural hazards. The overarching driver of his research is a desire to use geomorphological and sedimentological techniques to solve contemporary problems at local, regional and international scales. His main research interest lies in using coastal stratigraphy to define the recurrence interval of catastrophic marine inundation events (tsunami or large storms) and investigate the relationship between tectonics and climate change in coastal systems.

Being an internationally recognized expert in tsunami and storm deposits and associated sedimentation, Assoc Prof Switzer's most significant contributions to the field include the first study of modern storm deposits from the Australian Southeast coast; the recognition that immature heavy mineral suites in coastal sandsheets may indicate tsunami deposition rather than storm deposition in coastal settings; the recognition of an erosional signature of large scale washover of coastal dunes using Ground Penetrating Radar; initial evaluation of the sedimentary processes associated with the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on the southeast coast of India and a definitive review and re-analysis of large boulder accumulations in coastal settings on the southeast Australian coast.

Listed below are some of the projects he is currently working on.

• Geological Records of Coastal Hazards in Southeast Asia
• Historical Disasters, Hazards, Typhoons
• Investigating marine records of late Quaternary hydroclimate variability in the Maritime Continent
• Multidisciplinary reconstructions of notable historical tsunamis and storms in the region
• Physical and biogeochecmical effects of sediment transport on coral reefs
• Preparing Asian Mega Cities for Changing Climate and the Potential Increase in Extreme Sea Levels and Storm Surges

Assoc Prof Switzer has also been approached by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to lead Singapore efforts on an IAEA project to coordinate training for their member countries in collaboration with the Singapore government. Within the IAEA Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA), the IAEA wishes to harmonize methodology of sampling for analysis of stable isotopes and other parameters in coastal wetland samples, a topic that falls under Assoc Prof Switzer’s area of expertise. The upcoming training will target representatives from 22 IAEA member countries in the Asia-Pacific region including China, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.

Sources:
https://earthobservatory.sg/people/adam-switzer
https://www.ase.ntu.edu.sg/news/assoc-prof-adam-switzer-new-permanent-representative-singapore-ccop-and-leading-singapore-team