Pat Wongpan
Quantitative Sea Ice Biogeochemist | Ecologist – Australian Antarctic Program Partnership
From the research labs of Tasmania, Dr. Pat Wongpan is uncovering how sea ice shapes the Earth’s climate and ecosystems. A quantitative sea-ice biogeochemist and ecologist, Pat is based at the Australian Antarctic Program Partnership at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania.
Image Credit: The Bakery Creative Agency
Image Credit: The Bakery Creative Agency
Image Credit: Oi Studio
Pat’s work focuses on the chemistry and biology of Antarctic sea ice – how it forms, how it functions, and how it’s changing. He explores the microscopic life and nutrient cycles within the ice, and how these influence the broader climate system. His research is helping to reveal just how central sea ice is to the health of our planet.
Originally from Thailand, Pat earned his PhD in New Zealand before completing prestigious fellowships in the UK and Japan. He first came to Tasmania to attend a scientific conference – an experience that inspired Pat to stay. That initial visit revealed a place where world-leading Antarctic research thrives in a close-knit, collaborative environment. In 2020, he helped bring the international spotlight back to Hobart as a co-convenor of the SCAR 2020 Conference, connecting global researchers to Tasmania’s growing influence in polar science.
For Pat, Tasmania is now home – and the ideal place to think deeply, work boldly, and contribute to discoveries that reach far beyond our shores.
Key Roles & Contributions
- Sea-Ice Biogeochemist, Australian Antarctic Program Partnership – Leads research into the chemistry and ecology of Antarctic sea ice.
- PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowships – Completed advanced research in New Zealand, the UK (University of Cambridge), and Japan (Hokkaido University).
- Co-Convenor – Helped bring a major international polar science event to Hobart.
- International Field Researcher – Participated in Antarctic expeditions with New Zealand, Australian, and Japanese programs.
- Science Communicator – Leads outreach programs and youth science projects to inspire the next generation of polar scientists, including contributing to and coordinating the Antarctica and the Southern Ocean collection for Frontiers for Young Minds, a global science publication written for children.
Dr. Pat Wongpan’s journey began with a conference – and led to a career changing how we understand the frozen edge of the world. His story shows how Tasmania attracts and empowers those quietly pursuing the extraordinary.