Three new faculty members have joined the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M University, effective August 1.
The addition of Dr. Judy Dickey, Dr. Dan Fu and Dr. Kelly Núñez Ocasio increases the total number of faculty to 24, ranking Texas A&M's as one of the largest atmospheric sciences departments in the United States.
"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Dickey, Dr. Fu, and Dr. Núñez Ocasio to our outstanding faculty team," said Dr. R. Saravanan, professor and head of Texas A&M Atmospheric Sciences. "Their addition exemplifies Texas A&M's commitment to advancing scientific understanding of the atmosphere through research, training the next generation of atmospheric scientists and applying our expertise to meet the broader needs of government, industry and society."
Dickey received her Ph.D. in atmospheric sciences and meteorology this past May from Texas A&M. Since 2019, she has served as a research assistant within the department and now transitions to her new position as an instructional assistant professor. Her research interests include winter storms and compound variables with a focus on climate change. Dickey holds a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California (1986) and a bachelor of sceince in meteorology from Florida State University (1988).
Fu, who has been an assistant research scientist in the Texas A&M Department of Oceanography since 2015, joins the department as an assistant professor. He holds a Ph.D. in oceanography from Texas A&M (2018) and a bachelor of science in atmospheric sciences from the Ocean University of China (2013). His primary research interests center on how climate variability and climate change influence the variability and predictability of extreme weather events.
Núñez Ocasio, who recently completed a three-year Advanced Study Program Postdoctoral Fellowship at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, joins the Texas A&M Atmospheric Sciences team as an assistant professor. She earned her Ph.D. in meteorology and atmospheric sciences from Penn State (2021) and a bachelor’s degree in physics and meteorology from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez (2016). Her research focuses on understanding the evolution of easterly waves and the genesis of tropical cyclones, particularly the roles of convective processes and moisture, and how these interactions will evolve in a changing climate.
Bolstered by the trio of new faculty, Saravanan says Texas A&M continues to strengthen its position as a leader in atmospheric sciences, inspiring students and addressing critical challenges in weather and climate science.
Learn more about Texas A&M Atmospheric Sciences or faculty excellence in the College of Arts and Sciences.