How can young scientists help improve flood forecasting, protect communities and save lives?

In this episode of the AWI Podcast, we talk with Danna Villarreal, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Arkansas and participant in the Water Prediction Innovators Summer Institute at The University of Alabama.

Danna shares her experience working alongside fellow researchers to improve water prediction models, the importance of collaboration and the connections she's made throughout the program. She also discusses her passion for science communication and why making research accessible to communities and policymakers is essential to creating meaningful change.

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Atmospheric rivers can bring much-needed water to the West, but they can also produce devastating floods. Dr. Marty Ralph, founding director of the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, joins the AWI Podcast to explain the science behind these powerful storms and how researchers are improving their prediction.

Ralph discusses atmospheric river reconnaissance, forecast-informed reservoir operations and the importance of bringing researchers and forecasters together to turn science into better tools for water managers. He also shares how CIROH is helping strengthen those connections and advance the future of operational hydrology.

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About AWI

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Flash floods can develop in minutes, leaving communities with little time to respond. Improving those forecasts and getting critical information to the people who need it most is one of the biggest challenges in operational hydrology.

In this episode, Dr. Katie van Werkhoven of RTI International discusses her work advancing flash flood forecasting through CIROH and her career bridging research and operations. She shares how new technologies, including artificial intelligence, improved forecasting tools and stronger partnerships with local stakeholders, are helping create faster, more actionable flood forecasts that can better protect lives and communities.

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About AWI

Website: http://awi.ua.edu

Join the conversation on AWI's social media:

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Dr. Jim Nelson, professor of civil and construction engineering at Brigham Young University, discusses hydroinformatics and its role in moving water research into real-world use. A pioneer in geospatial hydrologic modeling and visualization, Nelson shares how tools like the Watershed Modeling System, Tethys Platform and GEOGLOWS have helped engineers, hydrologists and decision-makers better understand water systems around the world. He also talks about the importance of collaboration, the future of AI in hydrology and why impactful research begins with understanding the problem people need to solve.

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About AWI

Website: http://awi.ua.edu

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Artificial intelligence and machine learning are rapidly changing the future of water forecasting, and Dr. Chaopeng Shen is helping lead that transformation. On this episode of the AWI Podcast, the Penn State professor discusses how AI can be combined with traditional physics-based hydrologic modeling to improve forecasting, strengthen operational hydrology, and support better decision-making during extreme water events. He also shares insights into the role of CIROH in advancing these technologies and preparing the next generation of water scientists for an increasingly data-driven future.

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About AWI

Website: http://awi.ua.edu

Join the conversation on AWI's social media:

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/alabama-water-institute

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Early-career water scientists are stepping into a field that is both complex and critical, and finding the right support can make all the difference.

Dr. Juli Scamardo, an assistant professor at Utah State University and member of CIROH's early career working group, has experienced that transition firsthand. From her start studying rivers and floodplains to her current role in academia, she has navigated the challenges of building a research program, finding mentorship and connecting with the broader water community.

In this episode, Scamardo shares her path into hydrology, the role of CIROH in supporting early-career researchers and why community, collaboration and mentorship are essential for the next generation of water scientists.

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About AWI

Website: http://awi.ua.edu

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Dr. Jill Brown has built her career around a simple idea: data only matters if people can understand it, trust it and use it to make decisions.

An environmental communication researcher and data storyteller, Brown brings a background in social psychology, statistics and risk communication to her work translating complex information into something meaningful. From public health to environmental challenges, her focus is on helping organizations and communities move from data to action.

In this episode, Brown shares how she approaches data storytelling, why tailoring communication to different audiences is essential and how clearer messaging can lead to better decisions.

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About AWI:

Website: http://awi.ua.edu

Join the conversation on AWI's social media:

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Dr. Rebecca Diehl of the University of Vermont joins the podcast to discuss how rivers and floodplains really work, and why that matters for flood risk and resilience. A CIROH collaborator, she shares how new floodplain mapping approaches, field data and geospatial tools are helping improve flood prediction and inform smarter decisions for communities facing more frequent flooding.

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About AWI:

Website: http://awi.ua.edu

Join the conversation on AWI's social media:

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/alabama-water-institute

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