Dr. Saleem Khan received his PhD in climate change sciences from the Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation Research, Anna University, Chennai. His PhD research focused on the impact of climate change–induced sea level rise on coastal ecosystems and their dependent human communities. The multidisciplinary perspective of his research laid the foundation to evolve ecosystem-based and community-centered adaptation strategies for the coasts of Tamil Nadu. Dr. Khan's research caught the attention of the U.S. National Science Foundation and NASA through DISCCRS (Dissertation Initiative for the Advancement of Climate Change Research), who acknowledged him as a Next Generation Climate Change Scholar in 2013. Previously he worked as a research associate and currently on the recommendation of Anna University; he takes a lead role as a program officer in establishing a climate change cell at the Department of Environment, Government of Tamil Nadu.

Dr. Khan's Fulbright-Nehru research addresses the risk of climate change–induced sea level rise and its impacts on low-lying urban coastal cities. The research seeks to provide insights on communicating the risk of sea level rise to vulnerable coastal communities and relevant stakeholders at the urban level. Dr. Khan will develop a robust picture of community-based adaptations that are grounded in pressing community priorities through a comparative study. The research will identify urban community-centered adaptation needs by involving local communities and stakeholders to guide policymakers on informed decision making regarding the rising sea level.

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