Raha Hakimdavar, currently a leader at Zyon Space and Georgetown University, is celebrated as a Hydro20 honoree for her pioneering work in space-based hydrology.

Previously, through her roles at NASA and the U.S. Forest Service, she advanced satellite technology, data analysis, and science-based decision-making to promote water sustainability. While at these agencies, she collaborated across the federal government with institutions like the USGS, Department of the Interior, USDA, Department of State, and Army Corps of Engineers, breaking down silos to address complex water challenges.

Hakimdavar’s passion for satellite-based solutions grew during her PhD research in the Caribbean, where she faced watersheds with minimal data. Satellites, unbound by political boundaries, provided critical insights for hydrological modeling and decision-making. Her approach integrated space-based data with community input to fill information gaps, enhancing water management and engineering solutions.

Now at Zyon Space and Georgetown University, Hakimdavar leads efforts to leverage Earth observation and AI for real-time water monitoring and climate risk assessments, enabling proactive forecasting of floods, droughts, and water scarcity.

Her philosophy centers on science that serves people, prioritizing impactful research driven by on-the-ground needs and stakeholder engagement to support science-based decision-making.

Raha Hakimdavar’s transformative contributions to water sustainability through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative technology have earned her a well-deserved place among the Hydro20 honorees.