John L Newcomb Professor of Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA

AGU embraces the global community and welcomes diverse leaders from around the world, 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 any other identity you feel comfortable sharing.

Being an immigrant from India who came to United States to pursue higher studies 35 years ago, I have always felt welcome by the scientific community and especially the AGU community despite any cultural and ethnic differences. I feel that everyone should be treated with the same professional and scientific respect as I have been treated. There should be no bias on the basis of ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion and race and we practice unselfish scientific cooperation.

Volunteer experience that relates to this position:

AGU Hydrology section, Fall, Program Co-Chair (2006-2008); Convener/co-convener of a special session at the AGU Fall Meeting since 1997; Convener, Chapman Conference on Remote Sensing of the Terrestrial Water Cycle, Kona, Hawaii, February 2012; Chapman Conference Committee Chair (2013-2016); Editor, Eos, Transactions of American Geophysical Union, 2001-2006; Associate Editor, Water Resources Research, 1997-2001; Co-Chair, Committee on Remote Sensing (1999-2004), Surface Water; Large Scale Field Experiments, Precipitation; Outstanding Student Presentation Award Committee

This leadership position is a liaison role; it is one that aims to catalyze community and build AGU as envisioned by the strategic plan. How will you engage with members of your section to advance AGU’s strategic plan? How will you facilitate engagement with other sections and people outside AGU to support our mission?

I vividly remember attending my first AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco in the early 1990s and I immensely enjoyed it - a one-stop shop to quench my appetite for everything in hydrology and climate. Now, 30 plus years later, I am still excited and energized attending these meetings. AGU has been my professional home – I have had the opportunity to serve as an Editor of Eos, Associate Editor, Water Resources Research, Journal of Geophysical Research; program chair of the Hydrology section Fall Meeting, chair, Chapman Conference, and serve as chair of the Chapman Conference committee. I currently serve on the Water Sciences and Technology Board of the National Academies and executive committee of Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System (CSDMS).

My vision for AGU is a forum for unselfish cooperation between people from all parts of the world and all disciplines in Earth sciences unencumbered by any preset opinions. I support new initiatives in outreach and education, an inclusivity and diversity in ethnicity, gender and social preferences, specifically - inclusion of scientists from traditionally under-represented parts of the world. I will seek to be your champion to help address current and future challenges linking water, climate and society. The goal should be – “Earth science has no borders” and AGU is the perfect vehicle to achieve this goal.

I am deeply appreciative of AGU for nominating me for the position of Hydrology section President-elect, a responsibility that connects my love for the discipline and passion for organizing, motivating and bringing people together.

Section affiliations:

Hydrology