Professor Andrew T. BLACK is an internationally recognized leader in the field of biometeorology and environmental biophysics. Professor Andrew T. BLACK has served as a Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) since 1969, when he joined the Department of Soil Science following completion of his Ph.D. in Agrometeorology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. There, under the mentorship of Dr. Champ Tanner, he laid the foundation for a distinguished career blending theoretical principles with the development of novel environmental instrumentation.

Professor BLACK’s research has long centered on the measurement and analysis of carbon, water, and energy exchanges between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere. His pioneering studies on forests, wetlands, and agricultural systems have advanced global understanding of micrometeorological processes, ecosystem productivity, and greenhouse gas dynamics. Notably, his recent work has expanded to include methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) fluxes in high-value agricultural systems, contributing vital insights for climate change mitigation strategies in Canada and beyond.

Over more than five decades, Professor BLACK has made exceptional contributions to research, teaching, and mentorship. Professor BLACK has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles, one monograph, nine book chapters, and two white papers. His scholarly impact has been widely recognized, being named a Highly Cited Researcher (Top 1%) by Thomson Reuters in 2014 and 2015, and by Clarivate Analytics in 2017. His achievements have earned him numerous honors, including Fellowship of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) in 2013, the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS) President’s Award in 2003, and a Killam Teaching Prize from UBC in 2006.

A revered educator, Professor BLACK has taught core undergraduate courses in Biometeorology and Agroforestry, and has supervised 18 MSc, 24 PhD students, 15 postdoctoral fellows, and numerous research associates and technicians. Many of his former trainees now hold leadership positions in academia, government, and industry.

Professor BLACK’s enduring contributions to the fields of agricultural and forest meteorology were further acknowledged through a dedicated special issue of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology in 2011, and a celebratory AMS session in 2010 recognizing his lifetime achievements.

Professor BLACK continues to inspire through his commitment to rigorous, principle-based science and to cultivating the next generation of environmental scientists dedicated to addressing global ecological challenges.

Professor, Dr.

Faculty of Land and Food Systems
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Email: andrew.black@ubc.ca