Partner Institutions

Howard University (HU)

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private research institution comprising 14 schools and colleges. Guided by a mission of Excellence in Truth and Service, Howard has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows, and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard University consistently awards more Ph.D. degrees on campus to African American students than any other U.S. institution.

Howard University Graduate Program in Atmospheric Sciences (HUPAS)

HUPAS is an interdisciplinary graduate program offering both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in atmospheric science. Established in 1997 by the Howard University Board of Trustees, the program is affiliated with the Departments of Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics & Astronomy.

HUPAS is dedicated to preparing students—particularly those from historically underrepresented groups— for leadership careers in atmospheric science and related fields. Through partnerships with agencies such as NOAA and NASA, and collaborations with industry and academia, the program advances diversity in the atmospheric science workforce while conducting research vital to national security, commerce, and environmental resilience.

Faculty in HUPAS are nationally recognized experts in mesoscale meteorology, climate modeling, air quality modeling, atmospheric physics and chemistry, field observations, and mechanical engineering.

Representative Research Areas:

• Field observation and numerical studies of tropical cyclogenesis in the eastern Atlantic
• Air quality modeling and data assimilation for ozone and PM_2.5 forecasting at local to global scales
• High-resolution characterization of water vapor, wind, and aerosols using Raman lidars and profiling systems for satellite validation and climate reference
• Microphysical and chemical evolution of Saharan dust and biomass burning aerosols observed from ship-based campaigns

Program Director: Dr. Sonya Smith
Phone: 202-556-1837
Email: ssmith@Howard.edu

Jackson State University (JSU)

Jackson State University is a diverse, technologically advanced, four-year institution with a rich history and a commitment to developing global leaders. With a nurturing and student-centered environment, JSU challenges students to grow academically and serve their communities.

As a university designated with high research activity, JSU contributes to economic development, healthcare, technological innovation, and education at the state, national, and global levels. With nearly 9,000 students, JSU is the fourth-largest institution of higher learning in Mississippi.

Across its four campuses, JSU brings together outstanding students, world-class faculty, and dedicated staff to deliver a transformative educational experience. The university is proud of its alumni and partners who support and sustain its mission.

Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences – Meteorology Program

The Atmospheric Science/Meteorology Program at JSU integrates curriculum, research, academic support, and outreach to provide a comprehensive and supportive framework for training minority atmospheric scientists.

The program is dedicated to:

• Enhancing student learning and professional development
• Increasing the number of African American atmospheric scientists and graduate students
• Expanding research in basic and applied meteorology
• Promoting computer-based training and cooperative outreach efforts

The Bachelor of Science in Meteorology is the only degree program of its kind in Mississippi and neighboring states. It prepares students for careers in operational meteorology and for graduate studies in meteorology and related disciplines. The program also offers foundational knowledge of atmospheric phenomena to students in other fields.

Click here to view a listing of undergraduate-level meteorology courses.
Click here to view the course curriculum for the B.S. in Meteorology.

Dr. Mehri Fadavi
Department Chair & Lead Investigator
Phone: (601) 979-3645
Email: j00088763@jsums.edu

San José State University (SJSU)

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, San José State University is a nationally recognized urban public institution committed to academic excellence and transformative impact. Guided by its strategic plan, Transformation 2030, SJSU offers over 250 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs to more than 36,000 students and employs nearly 4,300 faculty and staff.

SJSU plays a vital role in the economic, cultural, and social development of Silicon Valley and the broader California region. As Silicon Valley’s public university, it is a key partner in innovation, equity, and workforce development.

Department of Meteorology and Climate Science

The Department of Meteorology and Climate Science at SJSU is the only meteorology program in the California State University system. The department equips students with in-depth knowledge of the atmosphere, preparing them for careers in weather forecasting, atmospheric research, and climate science.

Faculty maintain active research programs that contribute to the scientific community and provide students with hands-on experience. A newer emphasis on climate science aligns with growing demand for professionals who understand both short-term weather and long-term climate processes.

Dr. Qian Tan
Lead Investigator
Phone: (408) 924-5204
Email: qian.tan@sjsu.edu
Website: sjsu.edu/meteorology

University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY)

Located in New York’s capital city, the University at Albany is the premier public research university in the Capital Region, offering more than 17,000 students the opportunities of a large institution in an environment designed to foster individual success. Recognized by Forbes as one of “America’s Top Colleges,” UAlbany combines academic excellence with exceptional value.

Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC)

The Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC) was established in 1961 as a SUNY-wide resource to develop and administer programs in both basic and applied atmospheric sciences. It was founded by Vincent Schaefer, a protégé of Nobel laureate Irving Langmuir, and is internationally known for advancing knowledge of the Earth system.

ASRC researchers investigate physical and chemical processes in the atmosphere, land, and water systems, and examine their interactions with biological and geological processes. Their work directly informs environmental policy, technology development, and public well-being through collaboration with federal, state, and industry partners.

Now housed in the state-of-the-art ETEC building near UAlbany’s Uptown campus, ASRC engages in diverse research areas including:

• Advanced sensor development
• Atmospheric chemistry, physics, and aerosol microphysics
• Environmental remote sensing
• Global aerosol forecasting and air quality modeling
• Climate change and dispersion modeling
• High-performance computing and data visualization

Dr. Chris Thorncroft
Lead Investigator
Phone: (518) 437-8700
Email: cthorncroft@albany.edu
Website: albany.edu/asrc

University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

UMBC is a nationally recognized public research university known for redefining excellence in higher education. The university offers an inclusive, collaborative environment that integrates innovative teaching, interdisciplinary research, and civic engagement. With a wide range of academic programs and a supportive community, UMBC empowers students to pursue their passions and drive impact.

Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET)

The Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET) was established in 1995 through a cooperative agreement between the Earth Science Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and UMBC. JCET brings together a diverse community of research faculty, students, GSFC sponsors, and affiliated university faculty in an innovative and collaborative research environment.

A hallmark of JCET is the integration of its scientists into the academic life of UMBC. Faculty members actively contribute to academic departments through teaching, mentoring, and research collaboration. They serve on graduate committees, advise students, and develop coursework aligned with NASA’s Earth science goals. Faculty affiliations span Physics, Geography and Environmental Systems, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mathematics/Statistics, and Computer Science and Engineering.

JCET faculty lead and participate in cutting-edge research, serve as principal investigators on funded projects, and contribute to the broader scientific community through peer review, service on thesis committees, and mentoring. JCET played a pivotal role in the creation of UMBC’s Atmospheric Physics Program and supports the Geography and Environmental Systems graduate program. Graduate students are engaged in research both on UMBC’s campus and at GSFC.

JCET is a model for innovative university-government collaboration, and its faculty are highly competitive for careers in academia and national research laboratories.

Dr. Belay B. Demoz
Professor of Physics and Director, JCET
Phone: (410) 455-2715
Email: bdemoz@umbc.edu
Website: jcet.umbc.edu

University of Maryland, College Park (UMD)

The University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution and one of the nation’s leading public research universities. With more than 41,000 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and a network of 377,000 alumni, UMD is committed to advancing knowledge through research, innovation, and public service. Located just outside Washington, D.C., UMD leverages its proximity to the nation’s capital to lead in areas including policy, entrepreneurship, the arts, and athletics.

As the nation’s first “Do Good” campus, UMD champions social entrepreneurship and fosters a culture of fearless ideas.

Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC)

ESSIC is a collaborative research center jointly supported by UMD’s Departments of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, Geology, and Geographical Sciences. Established through a cooperative agreement with NASA’s Earth Sciences Directorate at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), ESSIC continues this partnership today, integrating NASA research with academic expertise.

ESSIC also administers the Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites (CICS), a joint center with NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS).

Research Focus

ESSIC research addresses key Earth system processes, including:

• Climate variability and change
• Atmospheric composition and dynamics
• The global carbon cycle (including ecosystems and land use/land cover change)
• The global water cycle

Research methodologies combine in situ and satellite observations with component and coupled ocean–atmosphere–land models. Data assimilation and regional downscaling techniques are used to link models and observations to better understand and predict changes in the Earth system on global and regional scales.

Dr. Xin-Zhong Liang
Lead Investigator
Phone: (301) 405-6300
Email: xliang@umd.edu
Website: essic.umd.edu

University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez (UPRM)

Founded in 1911, the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez (UPRM) is part of the UPR system and has over 112 years of educational excellence. The campus comprises four academic colleges: Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, Arts and Sciences, and Business Administration. The College of Agricultural Sciences is the oldest and includes the Agricultural Experiment Stations and Agricultural Extension Service. UPRM also hosts a Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies.

With approximately 12,000 students, UPRM operates on a 315-acre urban campus and is a key hub for higher education in Puerto Rico.

Department of Physics

The Department of Physics offers two undergraduate degree tracks and a Master’s degree in Physics. Students may also pursue curricular sequences in Astronomy, Atmospheric Science and Meteorology, or Physics for non-majors. The department is home to 18 full-time faculty with research strengths in condensed matter physics, particle physics, geofluid dynamics, astrophysics, computational physics, and physics education.

Atmospheric Science and Meteorology Program

UPRM’s Atmospheric Science and Meteorology Program offers a 25-credit curricular sequence (CS) available to students majoring in natural sciences or engineering. The curriculum mirrors the core structure of a traditional meteorology major, including:

• Introductory Meteorology
• Meteorological Measurements
• Atmospheric Thermodynamics
• Physical Meteorology
• Dynamics I and II
• Synoptic Meteorology
• Mesoscale Meteorology

Students are strongly encouraged to engage in internships through UPRM and partner organizations. These applied learning experiences are essential to the program and significantly enhance classroom instruction.

Puerto Rico Climate Office

Hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences, the Puerto Rico Climate Office operates in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Seismic Network. Its mission is to advance scientific understanding and provide reliable climate data to stakeholders across the island. The office maintains a historical climate database (1900–present) and employs students to support climate research and develop online data visualization tools.

Dr. Héctor Jiménez
Lead Investigator
Phone: (787) 832-4040 x3715
Email: hectorj.jimenez@upr.edu
Website: uprm.edu

University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)

Founded in 1914, UTEP is the second-oldest institution in The University of Texas System. Today, it enrolls over 25,000 students and holds an R1 designation for “very high research activity” from the Carnegie Classification—placing it among just 4.5% of U.S. four-year institutions. UTEP primarily serves the residents of far west Texas, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico, offering 72 bachelor’s, 72 master’s, and 22 doctoral programs, including a growing number of online degrees.

With an 81% Hispanic student population, UTEP reflects the demographics of its bi-national region and is recognized nationally for integrating research excellence with broad access to higher education. Eighty-four percent of students are from El Paso County, and 4% are Mexican nationals.

Department of Physics

The Department of Physics at UTEP is a vibrant academic unit offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, with concentrations in Applied Physics, Atmospheric Physics, and Medical Physics. Faculty lead research programs in chemical physics, condensed matter, materials science, biophysics, and nuclear theory.

The department provides extensive training in both experimental and computational research, and graduate students can pursue an M.S. in Physics or engage in interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs in Computational Science, Materials Science and Engineering, and Environmental Science and Engineering. Faculty are actively engaged in teaching, mentoring, and externally funded research, with state-of-the-art facilities in:

• Optical and two-photon microscopy
• Spectroscopy and X-ray scattering
• Material synthesis
• High-performance computational resources

The department’s mission is to prepare students for successful careers in academia, industry, and government, supported by rigorous instruction and mentorship.

Dr. Rosa Fitzgerald
Lead Investigator
Phone: (915) 747-7530
Email: rfitzgerald@utep.edu
Website: science.utep.edu/physics