Sumant Nigam

Sumant Nigam is a Professor and Chair of Atmospheric & Oceanic Science at the University of Maryland, College Park, with a joint appointment in the Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC). Specializing in climate dynamics, he investigates teleconnections, ocean-atmosphere interactions, monsoon variability, and desert expansion. His research integrates observational analysis, modeling, and dynamical diagnosis to understand climate mechanisms such as the Sahara's expansion and North American droughts.

Education:

• M.Sc. Physics (1978), Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
• Ph.D. Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (1984), Princeton University
• Postdoctoral Fellowship (1984–1987), MIT

Research Interests: Focuses on climate teleconnections, ENSO impacts, Arctic sea ice decline, and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation. Leads the Laboratory for Experimental Hydroclimate Prediction, issuing seasonal forecasts for the South Asian monsoon and ENSO. Active in climate policy, serving as Editor-in-Chief of Elsevier's Encyclopedia of Climate System Science and advisor to US State Department initiatives.

Scientific Contributions:

• Landmark studies on Sahara desert expansion and its climate drivers
• Advances in understanding North Pacific Oscillation impacts and atmospheric river dynamics
• Development of SST-based monsoon prediction frameworks

Awards:

• Fellowships: AMS, Royal Meteorological Society
• Jefferson Science Fellow (2016–17), Fulbright-Nehru (2020)
• AGU Holton Award (2013) and WMO Gerbier-MUMM Award (2013)

Leadership: Directed NSF's Large-scale Dynamic Meteorology Program (2000–2002), chaired AMS Climate Variability Committee, and advises global climate initiatives like the Mekong River Basin study.

Education & Mentorship: Teaches graduate courses in climate dynamics, advised 19 Ph.D. and 13 M.S. students, and mentors undergraduate researchers in teleconnection analysis.