Dr Marcello Passaro, Technical University of Munich

Dr Marcello Passaro is a research associate at the Technical University of Munich. He has pioneered advanced algorithms to tackle the challenges of measuring sea level changes and wave heights in coastal regions. His innovative approach, Adaptive Leading Edge Subset (ALES), has greatly improved the accuracy of coastal altimetry data, allowing for precise measurements near the shore while maintaining data quality in the open ocean.

His work has led to the development of global, multi-mission altimetry products, including the eXtended TRACKing (XTRACK) and ALES dataset, which have provided unprecedented insights into sea level rise in coastal areas. Marcello’s research has advanced oceanography, climate science, and coastal engineering, offering new understanding of sea level trends, tidal modelling, and wave energy distribution.

Marcello is the recipient of the 2025 Earth Observation Excellence Award.

Read full story: Earth Observation Excellence Award 2025 winners