Sanjiv Kumar

Sanjiv Kumar, associate professor in the Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE), is answering the call of the United States National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR). Effective immediately, he will serve as a member of the NSF NCAR’s External Advisory Committee, helping with one of the organization’s newest initiatives, Earth System Predictability Across Timescales (EPSAT).

The NSF NCAR is known for conducting world-class research and providing several tools for atmospheric knowledge. The organization promotes collaboration among peers in academia, government and the private sector. Its goal is to support the climate community of students, researchers, educators and stakeholders with the latest science and simulation tools. This includes the NSF NCAR’s Community Earth System Model which conducts research and applications.

Kumar has been a faculty member at the CFWE since 2017 and teaches in the Geospatial and Environmental Informatics program — one of the few in the Southeast. His expertise in climate modeling, land use change, land-climate interactions and climate extremes is aligned with  the center’s research goals.

“I am honored to join the External Advisory Committee for the NSF NCAR initiative,” Kumar said. “The ESPAT platform will guide Earth system predictability research in the coming years.”

Kumar leads the Climate Water Society (CWS) Lab, a group comprised of scientists, engineers and students who study and perform environmental and natural resources research at regional and global scales. According to Kumar, his team’s successes are recognized by his appointment to the committee.

“I appreciate the recognition of the land-climate interactions research conducted by my research team at the CWS Lab,” said Kumar. “I look forward to advancing the ESPAT goals.”

Kumar has assumed his role in the NSF NCAR External Advisory Committee and will serve a three-year appointment.