National Water Center Innovators Program CUAHSI Summer Institute
Research Team Members
Objective:
The goal of this project is to engage students, faculty, and water science professionals in advancing the NOAA Office of Water Prediction’s (OWP) goals around research, science, and tool development for water prediction and flood forecasting. The project has two primary objectives: (1) to train graduate students in key emerging areas such as the NextGen Water Resources Modeling Framework, flood inundation mapping, and hydroinformatics, and (2) to build a community of early-career scientists prepared to advance water prediction research in the United States.
Approach:
The goals of this project are achieved through a seven-week graduate student Summer Institute at the University of Alabama. Each year, research themes for the Summer Institute are developed in alignment with the NOAA Office of Water Prediction’s (OWP) goals. Faculty and water science professionals are recruited to serve as Theme Leaders, program mentors who guide student research projects under the identified themes. Graduate student fellows, selected to participate from a national pool of applicants, form interdisciplinary teams to work on research projects developed in collaboration with the Theme Leaders. Throughout the Summer Institute, fellows receive training on the foundational skills and context needed to complete their projects, including the use of tools such as GitHub and HydroShare, cloud computing, hydrologic modeling, project management, and working in collaborative teams, along with opportunities for networking. The program culminates in a Capstone event where fellows present their research findings to project leadership, Theme Leaders, OWP and University of Alabama staff, their institutional advisors, and other water science community members.
Impact:
Since the first Summer Institute was hosted in 2015, the program has brought together over 200 graduate students from more than 80 universities to collaborate on research that advances water prediction in the United States. The program has tackled key challenges in water prediction, including flood inundation mapping, geospatial data integration, and satellite data assimilation—contributing to tools that improve predictive capabilities and support decision-making. The Summer Institute provides a unique blend of technical training and hands-on research, equipping students with practical skills in coding, data science, and modeling workflows, and providing opportunities to gain experience in presenting their research, managing projects, and working in collaborative teams. Fellows build professional networks, work in interdisciplinary teams, and gain insight into federal and water sector career opportunities. Program alumni have gone on to pursue careers with the National Water Center, OWP, and other collaborators. The program also strengthens the water prediction research community and supports the transfer of innovative ideas developed by students in collaboration with project leadership into operational products that enhance modeling capabilities, advance scientific knowledge, and improve the ability to manage water-related risks.Abstract:
This project engages students, faculty, and water science professionals around the NOAA Office of Water Prediction’s (OWP) activities to advance research in water prediction and flood forecasting. The primary objectives are to (1) to train graduate students in key emerging areas such as the NextGen Water Resources Modeling Framework, flood inundation mapping, and hydroinformatics, and (2) to build a community of early-career scientists equipped with the skills needed to advance water prediction in the United States. These goals are achieved through a seven-week graduate student Summer Institute at the University of Alabama. Each year, research themes are identified in alignment with OWP priorities. Student fellows, selected from a national applicant pool, work in interdisciplinary teams on applied research projects guided by Theme Leaders, faculty and water science professionals who serve as mentors. Fellows receive training in foundational technical and collaborative skills, including cloud computing, modeling, and project management. The program culminates in a Capstone event where fellows present their research. By combining technical training with applied research, the program produces skilled student cohorts, cultivates professional networks, and supports the national need for innovation in water prediction, forecasting, and resilience. Outcomes include research components that may be transitioned into operational frameworks, new insights and methods that support water prediction, technical reports and scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, and a growing network of scientists well-prepared for careers in water prediction.