A new fall semester is here, and campus is bustling with new and returning members of the Wolfpack. Among them are eight new faculty member joining the College of Sciences. They come from near and far, and are all committed to serving our students and society through their research and teaching.

Get to know the newest members of the Sciences Pack.

Dillon Amaya

Assistant Professor, Marine, Earth and Atmospsheric Sciences

Ph.D. institution and year: Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, 2019
Recent affiliation: NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado
X handle: @DillonAmaya
Brief description of your research: In my research, I seek to understand how the ocean influences climate variability, climate change and extreme events on seasonal to decadal timescales. I use high-resolution climate models to investigate marine extremes and their impacts on marine ecosystems and the broader climate system. I also explore sources of seasonal climate predictability and develop machine learning-based forecasting tools to improve decision-making for marine fisheries management.
Why NC State? I was drawn to NC State because of its reputation for world-class research and its commitment to providing an outstanding educational experience for students. I was also attracted to the multidisciplinary nature of the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, where opportunities for collaboration span a wide range of research areas. I look forward to building meaningful, long-lasting collaborations with colleagues across the department, the College of Sciences and the broader university community.

Jessica Amaya

Assistant Teaching Professor, Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Ph.D. institution and year: University of California, Irvine, 2020
Recent affiliation: Higher Education Specialist, NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research 
Brief description of your teaching: As an educator, my goal is to make complex scientific topics tangible and exciting through hands-on, inquiry-based learning. I work to build a welcoming, engaging classroom where students feel comfortable asking questions and linking what they learn to the world around them. Driven by an interest in discipline-based education research, I also enjoy looking for ways to refine my approach to project-based learning and alternative grading. 
Why NC State? I was drawn to NC State because of its vibrant, collaborative research community and its clear commitment to excellence in teaching. For me, being able to return to the classroom and support students as they navigate their academic journeys is incredibly exciting. I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and across the wider NC State community.

Alexandra (Lexie) Cooper

Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences

Ph.D. institution and year: University of Arizona, 2023
Recent affiliation: Postdoctoral Research Associate, The University of Georgia
Brief description of your research and teaching: My research program focuses on understanding how instructors make decisions when teaching. My group generates and translates research findings into practical strategies that can empower educators and enhance the learning experiences of students in undergraduate science classrooms.
Why NC State? NC State’s commitment to high-quality research and teaching drew me to the university. I am excited for the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues with similarly aligned interests and engage with motivated students on campus.

Louis Esser

Assistant Professor, Mathematics

Ph.D. institution and year: University of California, Los Angeles, 2023 
Recent affiliation: Instructor, Princeton University
Brief description of your research and teaching: My research is in the field of algebraic geometry, which focuses on the interplay between algebraic equations and the geometric structures they define. I especially enjoy exploring the constraints that symmetries place on mathematical systems. In the classroom, I aim to incorporate active learning strategies to help all students have fun learning math.
Why NC State? I was immediately drawn by the vibrant and friendly community at NC State, both in the Department of Mathematics and across campus. NC State’s commitment to supporting faculty in both their teaching and research efforts make it a great place to work. From my visits so far, the Research Triangle is also a lively and diverse area, and I look forward to exploring further soon!

Thomas Gard

Assistant Teaching Professor, Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Ph.D. institution and year: Florida State University, 2025
Recent affiliation: Postdoctoral Teaching Scholar, NC State
Brief description of your teaching: I often use the phrase “get excited about something” when discussing teaching. Passion is perceived by others, and a student who is excited about the material will often succeed. By creating an inclusive environment where students feel encouraged to express themselves, I aim to inspire a passion for learning to help students grow as scientists and communicators. 
Why NC State? NC State’s dedication to excellent teaching shines through. Having access to strong educational resources such as DELTA and being part of such a welcoming department help me bring my best to the classroom.

Anna Konstorum

Assistant Professor, Mathematics

Ph.D. institution and year: University of California, Irvine, 2015
Recent affiliation: Center for Computing Sciences, Institute for Defense Analyses
Brief description of your research and teaching: My research lies at the intersection of applied mathematics, data science and biology. I develop mathematical and computational methods to find  meaningful patterns in complex biological data, with the goal of making large, multidimensional datasets more interpretable. I am especially interested in tensor methods and matrix factorizations and their applications to questions in health and biology. In teaching, I hope to help students build strong mathematical intuition and see how mathematical ideas connect to scientific problems.
Why NC State? I was especially drawn to the opportunity to join both the Department of Mathematics and the Translational Predictive Biology cluster through the Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program at NC State. This unique structure offers a rare opportunity to develop new mathematical methods while working closely with experimental and biological researchers on important questions in health and medicine. I was also drawn to NC State’s land-grant mission and the opportunity to serve and give back to the people of North Carolina through my research and teaching.

Amanda Mejia

Associate Professor, Statistics

Ph.D. institution and year: Johns Hopkins University, 2016
Recent affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Statistics, Indiana University
Brief description of your research and teaching: In my research, I seek to advance the study of the human brain through statistics, drawing from both my engineering background and my biostatistics training. I focus on functional neuroimaging (i.e., fMRI), which can teach us about how the brain functions and organizes, but often lacks the necessary precision and reliability in individuals for clinical impact. I develop novel statistical and data science methods to analyze fMRI data with greater nuance and precision, and collaborate with scientists and clinicians to put those methods into practice. I am also passionate about training the next generation of statisticians and neuroimaging researchers to make an impact with statistics.
Why NC State? NC State has a long history of excellence in statistics research and education. That, along with the university’s strengths in engineering and the broader Research Triangle’s rich ecosystem for both statistics and neuroimaging, makes NC State an ideal place for my research program and lab to grow. I have been genuinely struck by the warmth and intellectual vibrancy of the department, and I am excited to become part of that community. On a personal note, I am originally from the South and am happy to be moving closer to family and my roots, while enjoying the excellent schools and quality of life that Raleigh and the surrounding region have to offer.

Tianning Wu

Assistant Research Professor, Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Ph.D. institution and year: NC State, 2024
Recent affiliation: Postdoctoral Research Scholar, Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, NC State
Brief description of your research: My research focus is on understanding regional and coastal ocean variability and advancing seasonal ocean prediction by integrating observations, numerical models and machine learning methods. I am interested in identifying the physical processes and sources of predictability that govern coastal ocean dynamics across scales. In my work, I aim to advance coastal forecasting, enhance preparedness for coastal hazards and support marine resource management.
Why NC State? NC State has a reputation for strong and impactful research, and the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences offers an ideal setting for collaborative environmental research. It is a great place for me to grow as a researcher and help address real-world environmental challenges.