Associate Professor, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy

AGU embraces the global community and welcomes leaders representing various identities, voices and perspectives. List any identities, voices and perspectives you would bring, including but not limited to nationality, regional representations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and anything else you feel comfortable sharing.

Growing up in Italy, where landscapes from the Alps to the Mediterranean shape complex hydrologic patterns, and witnessing floods, droughts, and landslides firsthand, I learned early that science must serve communities. This drove me to pursue a Ph.D. in the US, navigating a new country, language, and academic system. This gave me a profound appreciation for international scientific exchange and a clear understanding of what is lost when barriers limit who gets to participate in science.

I would bring the perspective of an international scientist who has built a career across different cultural and scientific systems, with a deep commitment to globally connected hydrology. Water does not respect borders, and neither should our community. The most pressing water challenges of our time — from glacial retreat to coastal flooding to drought in data-sparse regions — demand diverse perspectives and internationally connected research teams. I believe AGU is at its best when it actively embraces those perspectives.

Scientifically, my work spans remote sensing, hydroclimatic hazards, and eco-hydrology, built on collaborations that bridge disciplines and communities. I am committed to fostering environments where early career scientists, international researchers, and underrepresented voices feel supported, visible, and empowered to shape the future of hydrology.

Volunteer experience that you feel relates to this position:

An AGU member for 18 years, I have demonstrated sustained leadership across the Hydrology community — from chairing the Precipitation Technical Committee and establishing three still-active subcommittees, to serving as Hydrology lead on the AGU Annual Meeting Program Committee, where I have shaped scientific programming that reflects emerging priorities and interdisciplinary collaboration. As the Journal of Hydrometeorology Chief Editor, I bring editorial leadership and a broad vision for elevating hydrological science, inclusion, and community engagement.

Section presidents and presidents-elect serve as members of the AGU Council and lead their sections. The AGU Council is a diverse forum of perspectives that meets throughout the year to provide input to the AGU Board, staff, and other parts of the organization. Three communities within the Council - committee chairs, section leaders, and students and early career scientists - serve different roles in AGU and bring unique viewpoints to ongoing discussions.

This role aims to catalyze community and build AGU as envisioned by the strategic plan. This leadership position is a dual role: helping to advance AGU’s strategic plan as a member of Council; and leading your section. How would you support the Board, staff and other sections to achieve AGU’s vision, values, mission, and goals? How will you engage with members of your section to execute AGU’s strategic plan?

As a member of the AGU Council, I would work closely with the Board, staff, and other sections to advance AGU's vision of a thriving, sustainable, and just future for humanity. At a moment when research is under pressure — funding is threatened, expertise is questioned, and international collaboration is increasingly constrained — the Hydrology section must be a steadfast advocate for science. I would use my seat on Council to ensure that the Hydrology community's priorities are heard, that cross-sectional partnerships are strengthened, and that AGU speaks with a courageous voice in defense of science and scientists.

My involvement with AGU — from serving as Chair of the Precipitation Technical Committee to Hydrology leader on the Annual Meeting Program Committee — has given me direct experience working with AGU leadership and staff to shape scientific programming and strengthen community engagement. I would bring that experience to Council, actively participating in governance discussions, supporting staff initiatives, and helping align sectional activities with AGU's strategic priorities.

Within the Hydrology section, I would work closely with the technical committees as partners to advance scientific innovation, community building, and early career development — including a cross-committee mentorship network pairing early career members with established researchers. I would also create a structured science-to-policy pipeline through regular "Hydrology in Action" dialogues bringing together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers— to ensure our science does not stop at the journal page. I would facilitate partnerships with other scientific societies and international organizations to amplify the section's global reach and relevance.