Research Scientist
CurrentNASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) & University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
Applies advanced hydrological models enhanced with satellite-derived datasets to assess impacts of climate variability and human activities on water systems. Research covers water availability and climate extremes (droughts, floods) across the United States, Europe, High Mountain Asia, South America, and the Sahel.
Associate Scientist
Aug 2020 – Nov 2021NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Universities Space Research Association
Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
Postdoctoral Researcher
Mar 2018 – Aug 2020Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Berkeley, California, USA
Postdoctoral Researcher
Feb 2017 – Mar 2018Politecnico di Milano
Milan, Italy
Postdoctoral Researcher
Oct 2016 – Jan 2017Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg, CNRS
Strasbourg, France
Graduate Research Assistant
Oct 2013 – Sep 2016French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)
Cadarache & Strasbourg, France
Graduate Research Assistant
Feb – Jun 2013Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg, CNRS
Strasbourg, France
Ph.D. in Hydrology
2013–2016University of Strasbourg
Strasbourg, France
Dissertation: Estimation of groundwater recharge by inversion in a complex hydrogeological system. Thesis deemed exceptional by an international committee. Kepler Award "Chapitre Saint Thomas" for the University of Strasbourg's best Ph.D. thesis in STEM.
M.S. in Environmental Engineering
2011–2013University of Strasbourg
Strasbourg, France
Dissertation: Comparison of models of pollutants transport in porous media. Honor student. Recipient of the French Government Excellence Scholarship.
B.S. in Geological Engineering
2008–2011University of Fes
Fes, Morocco
Honor student. Recipient of the Moroccan Government Excellence Scholarship.
Modeling & Simulation
- Integrated hydrologic modeling
- Land surface modeling
- Data assimilation
- Variably saturated subsurface flow
- Precipitation modeling
Earth Observations
- Satellite-derived precipitation
- Multivariate and multisensor analysis
- GRACE and GRACE-FO data
- MODIS datasets
Research Themes
- Climate variability & change
- Droughts & floods
- Rain-on-snow dynamics
- Irrigation & human impacts
- Water resource management
Geographic Focus
- The Sahel / West Africa
- High Mountain Asia
- North America
- South America (Andes)
- Europe
Editor, Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (2023–present)
Associate Editor, Scientific Reports (2023–present)
Editor, PLOS Water (2021–present)
Associate Editor, Frontiers in Climate, Frontiers in Water, and Frontiers in Hydrogeology (2021–present)
Member, AMS Hydrology Committee (2021–present)
User Working Group Member, NSIDC (2021–present)
Jury Member, UNESCO-Al Fozan Prize for the Promotion of Young Scientists in STEM (2022–2024)
Grant panelist, NSF CAREER and NASA ROSES programs
Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Resident
The Rockefeller Foundation
NASA GSFC Center Director Award for Scientific Excellence
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Atlantic Council Millennium Fellow
Atlantic Council
Led one of the top NASA Earth Science Discoveries of 2024
NASA Earth Science
2023
2025
NASA GSFC Hydrosphere, Biosphere, Geophysics Peer Award for Scientific Achievement
Three-time recipient · NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
25 Outstanding African Women Scientists
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Forbes 30 Under 30
Forbes Magazine · Class of 2020
100 Most Influential Africans
New African Magazine · Pathfinders category
Rising Star in Civil and Environmental Engineering
MIT
Kepler Award: Best Ph.D. Thesis in Science & Engineering
University of Strasbourg · "Chapitre Saint Thomas"
For the complete list of publications, talks, collaborators, and service activities, download the full PDF CV.
Download full CV PDF · June 2026