Atmospheric sciences professor elected fellow of American Meteorological Society
Tim Li
Tim Li, professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences and International Pacific Research Center (IPRC) in the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), was elected a Fellow by the American Meteorological Society (AMS). Fellows are elected based on “outstanding contributions to the atmospheric or related oceanic or hydrologic sciences or their applications during a substantial period of years.”
“It is meaningful to be recognized by the scientific community for hard work and research accomplishments,” Li said.
Li is one of most influential scientists in tropical climate dynamics worldwide. His research focuses on various aspects of tropical meteorology and climate dynamics, including the dynamics of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, Madden-Julian Oscillation, tropical cyclones, Asian-Australian monsoon, climate change, and more. His recent studies focus on understanding the onset diversity of El Niño and La Niña, super El Niño and multi-year La Niña formation, and extreme weather events. In his research he utilizes observational data analyses alongside theory, numerical model experiments and climate model simulations. Li has published 470 professionally referred research papers and a book, with 28,000 citations and a h-index of 91.
“Tim Li has made many significant contributions in tropical meteorology and climate dynamics and he exemplifies excellence in research and education at UH,” said Malte Stuecker, director of IPRC.
Li received his PhD in 1993 from the SOEST Department of Atmospheric Sciences (advised by Dr. Bin Wang). Li was a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University, then worked as a researcher and a research assistant professor at the Naval Research Laboratory and Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Li returned to SOEST in 1999 as an associate professor and was promoted to a full professor in 2002. In recognition of scholarly contributions that expand the boundaries of knowledge and enrich the lives of students and the community, he received the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents Excellence in Research Award in 2019. He was elected as a Fellow of the Asia-Oceania Geoscience Society (AOGS) in 2025.
Each year, the American Meteorological Society recognizes outstanding contributions to the weather, water, and climate community by individuals and organizations. A maximum of only two-tenths of one percent of the membership is approved annually through the Fellow nomination process. Recipients will be honored at the 107th AMS Annual Meeting in Denver, 10–14 January 2027.