E3SM Scientists Earn Prestigious Fellowships
The E3SM team is celebrating major honors this year.
AMS Fellow
Dr. Shaocheng Xie, LLNL
Shaocheng Xie, a renowned atmospheric scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), leading both E3SM’s Atmosphere Group and the new Seasonal-to-Decadal (S2D) Group, has been named a 2026 Fellow of the American Meteorological Society (AMS)—an accolade reserved for just 0.2% of AMS members annually. Xie, recognized for his leadership in developing the DOE Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM), has pioneered techniques that bridge Earth system models and field observations, significantly advancing the simulation of clouds and precipitation. His leadership roles and decades-long commitment to model evaluation and data development have made a lasting impact on the field. Xie will be formally recognized at the AMS Annual Meeting in January 2026.
AGU Fellows
Additionally, Dr. Jiwen Fan of Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and Dr. Peter Thornton of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have been named American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fellows, one of the highest honors in Earth and space sciences.
Dr. Jiwen Fan, ANL
As Deputy Director of Argonne’s Environmental Science Division and a senior research scientist at the University of Chicago, Dr. Fan is widely respected for her leadership, editorial contributions, and innovative research in atmospheric modeling. Her distinguished career includes serving as an editor for leading journals and as a member of the Macelwane Medal Committee.
Dr. Peter Thornton, ORNL
At ORNL, Dr. Thornton leads the Earth Systems Science Section, where his research has significantly advanced terrestrial ecosystem modeling and the understanding of land-atmosphere interactions. He is also the Lead of E3SM’s Land Group. His work focuses on simulating the complex feedbacks among carbon, water, energy, and nutrient cycles, contributing valuable insights into how ecosystems respond to environmental change. Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Thornton is recognized for his commitment to mentoring students and postdoctoral researchers, as well as his active engagement in educational outreach and community initiatives.
Xie, Fan, and Thornton exemplify scientific excellence and leadership, continuing to shape the future of atmospheric research.
