COL Diana C. Loucks

Colonel Diana Loucks is an Academy Professor and the Director of Advanced Physics in the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering. She holds both a master’s and a doctoral degree in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Texas Christian University. Commissioned in 1996, Colonel Loucks served as an Army Signal Officer for thirteen years, with assignments in South Korea, Germany, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, including a deployment in support of Multi-National Corps Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2009, she transitioned to a Space Operations Officer role, serving as the Chief of Space and Special Programs for the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado, where she supported combat operations with Combined Joint Task Force – 4 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. During her master’s studies, Colonel Loucks led the communications subsystem design for the Drag and Atmospheric Neutral Density Explorer (DANDE), which won the University Nanosat V Competition, sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory. Upon returning to West Point as an Academy Professor, she became the first recipient from West Point of the National Science Foundation faculty Early Career Development Program Award for her research on ionospheric interference and its impact on navigation solutions. In addition to her academic duties, Colonel Loucks serves as the faculty Officer in Charge of the Protestant Chapel Choir and chairs West Point's Local Organizing Committee for the Conference for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics (CU*iP), where West Point was one of the fourteen host sites for 2024. Her military awards include the Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Air Force Commendation Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal. She has also earned both the Master Space and Basic Parachutist badges. In 2022, she received the Outstanding Alumni for Excellence in Public Service award from the University of Colorado’s Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences department. Colonel Loucks is stationed at West Point with her husband, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Gary A. Loucks, Jr., and their three beagles, Leo, Clay, and Bentley.