The University of Maryland has named Indian-origin climate scientist Sumant Nigam a 2026 Distinguished University Professor, the institution’s highest academic honor. Nigam chairs the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science and holds a joint appointment in the Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center.

The distinction recognizes faculty members whose scholarship has earned national and international recognition. Honorees are selected by the university president with a committee that includes the provost and seven faculty members. Nigam will be formally recognized at the university’s Faculty and Staff Convocation on Sept. 9.

Nigam’s research examines climate dynamics, including ocean-atmosphere interactions, drought, desertification, monsoon variability and global warming. His work combines physical principles with observations to identify processes that climate models may overlook or represent inaccurately, helping improve their ability to simulate and predict climate patterns.

One of his best-known contributions is the Lindzen-Nigam model, developed during his postdoctoral work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The framework is widely used to explain how tropical oceans and the atmosphere interact and influence sea surface temperatures and near-surface winds.

His more recent research has documented the expansion of the Sahara Desert during the 20th century and examined how Atlantic Ocean temperatures contributed to the Dust Bowl drought of the 1930s. His laboratory also issues annual forecasts for El Niño-Southern Oscillation and the South Asian summer monsoon. Those monsoon forecasts help inform India’s official seasonal outlook.

Nigam also directs the Maryland Mesonet, a network of 47 weather-observation towers across 21 counties and Baltimore City. The system provides near-real-time data to the National Weather Service and state and local emergency managers, supporting forecasts and severe-weather warnings.

Nigam earned a master’s degree in physics from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and a doctorate in geophysical fluid dynamics from Princeton University. He completed postdoctoral training at MIT and joined the University of Maryland in 1987. He is a fellow of both the American Meteorological Society and the Royal Meteorological Society.

The new title recognizes a career connecting foundational climate science with practical tools for forecasting and public safety.

Key Takeaways About Sumant Nigam

• He received the University of Maryland’s highest academic title.
• His research focuses on climate dynamics and prediction.
• He developed a widely used model of ocean-atmosphere interactions.
• His laboratory’s monsoon outlook helps inform India’s official forecast.
• He directs Maryland’s statewide network of weather-observation towers.

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