Professor Zhang Receives Distinguished Hydrologist Award

We are proud to announce that our laboratory director, Professor Li Zhang, has been awarded the 2023 Distinguished Hydrologist Award by the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS). This prestigious award recognizes Professor Zhang’s pioneering work in urban flood prediction and management over the past decade.

Award Recognition

The Distinguished Hydrologist Award is presented annually to researchers who have made exceptional contributions to the field of hydrology with significant global impact. Professor Zhang was selected from a competitive pool of nominees worldwide, with the award committee specifically highlighting:

• Her innovative integration of machine learning with physical hydrological models
• Development of the Urban Flood Prediction System (UFPS) now implemented in 12 major cities
• Contributions to flood resilience policy in rapidly urbanizing regions
• Mentorship of over 30 PhD students who have become leaders in the field

Research Impact

Professor Zhang’s research has fundamentally changed how urban flood risks are assessed and managed. Her methodologies have been adopted by municipal governments across three continents and have demonstrably improved flood warning times by an average of 45 minutes – critical time that saves lives and property during extreme weather events.

The award committee noted that her 2020 paper, “Machine Learning Enhanced Urban Flood Prediction in Real-Time Environments,” has become the most cited paper in urban hydrology over the past three years, with over 500 citations.

Award Ceremony

The award was presented at the IAHS Annual Conference in Vienna on November 28, 2023. In her acceptance speech, Professor Zhang emphasized the collaborative nature of her work:

“This award belongs not just to me, but to the incredible team of students, postdocs, and colleagues who have contributed to this research over many years. Science is a team effort, and I’m fortunate to work with some of the brightest minds in our field.”

She also acknowledged the support of our university and funding agencies that have made this research possible.

Future Directions

Building on the recognized work, Professor Zhang will be leading a new research initiative focused on integrating climate change projections into urban flood prediction systems. This project, recently funded with a $3.2 million grant, will develop next-generation prediction tools that account for changing precipitation patterns and urban growth scenarios.

Join Us in Congratulating Professor Zhang

The entire laboratory extends our warmest congratulations to Professor Zhang on this well-deserved recognition. Her leadership continues to inspire our team and establish our lab as a center of excellence in urban hydrology research.

A celebration reception will be held in the department atrium on December 15th at 4:00 PM. All faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend.