In November 2025, the 610 Robert H. Goddard Honor Award Winners were announced. Among them was Fadji Maina (617/UMBC), who received the Center Director's Award, "For significant contributions to NASA’s efforts to characterize regional and global water cycle." We present select items from her nomination and congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition!
"As an early career hydrologist, Dr. Maina has demonstrated exceptional dedication to addressing complex, high-impact challenges at the intersection of climate, water, and society. Her research focuses on quantifying changes in Earth's hydrological cycle caused by climate change and human activity ... Using cutting-edge modeling techniques and satellite data from NASA missions ... , Dr. Maina has delivered transformative insights that directly contribute to NASA's mission to observe and understand Earth systems. [Her] work on the High Mountain Asia region — a vital water source for over a billion people — exemplifies her scientific leadership and commitment to excellence. ... In landmark [publications] in Earth's Future and Nature Communications, she was the first to quantify changes in rain-on-snow events, revealing how altered precipitation patterns are increasing the risk of floods and landslides. These findings have major impacts on shaping the broader scientific understanding of climate impacts on water systems. ...
Dr. Maina is a key contributor in NASA's Water Insight project, an Earth science-to-action effort aimed at delivering reliable, high-resolution water cycle information across North and Central America. Her leadership in developing 1-kilometer scale hydrological datasets has directly improved our ability to serve partners and stakeholders with actionable, policy-relevant information. [She] has led the development of a new groundwater modeling capability within NASA's Land Information System — an innovation that significantly enhances the integration of satellite data from GRACE, GRACE-FO and future Mass Change missions into decision-making tools used globally. Over the past four years, she has authored 13 first-author publications in high-impact journals, reflecting both her productivity and the influence of her research.
... As a member of the [AMS's] Hydrology Committee, she contributes to shaping the future of the discipline. Her outreach and advocacy — especially as a scientist from Niger — have inspired young researchers around the world and advanced NASA's broader commitment to global engagement. Her exceptional work ethic, innovative mindset, and mission-driven focus have significantly advanced the Center's objectives and created lasting impact across NASA programs and beyond."
Many of Dr. Maina's publications are listed on her NASA Goddard page.
(Note, due to the shutdown in October - November 2025 and the AGU Fall Meeting in December, an actual ceremony was not held this year.)
(Note, due to the shutdown in October - November 2025 and the AGU Fall Meeting in December, an actual ceremony was not held this year.)