Thank You for Making 2026 El Día del Agua y la Atmósfera a Fantastic Event!

Event Recap: A Day of Science, Dialogue, and Connection

El Día 2026 took place on Tuesday, March 24th, at the Environmental Science and Natural Resources (ENR2) Building, marking the largest attendance in the event's history with more than 160 participants. This diverse group included HAS students, faculty, alumni, industry professionals, and community members, all coming together to celebrate the hard work, learning, and progress of students and their research within the department.

This year’s theme, “Academia in Action: Bridging Science, Industry, and Policy,” highlighted the importance of connecting research in hydrology and atmospheric sciences to real-world solutions for pressing environmental challenges. The symposium featured a dynamic program with two keynote talks, 12 oral presentations, 29 poster presentations, and 12 students in a Proposal Pitch competition, creating valuable opportunities for students, researchers, and industry partners to engage across science, practice, and policy.

From lively discussions over posters to engaging Q&A sessions after presentations, attendees dove deep into the research, shared ideas, and strengthened the collaborative spirit that makes El Día such a special tradition.

Opening Remarks and Keynote Speaker

The day began with a breakfast in the courtyard, generously sponsored by the Pima County Flood Control District. Attendees connected over coffee and conversation before the event was officially opened by El Día Chair Hossein Yousefi Sohi, followed by HAS Department Head Dr. Peter Troch.

We were honored to welcome Ken Graham and Grey Nearing as this year’s keynote speakers. Ken Graham, Director of the National Weather Service at NOAA, delivered a compelling talk titled From Vision to Value: Demonstrating the Power of NWS Transformation, highlighting the ongoing transformation of the National Weather Service and its implications for Arizona communities and future meteorologists and hydrologists. Grey Nearing, a Research Scientist on Google’s Flood Forecasting Team, spoke on Bridging the Gap Between Global AI Forecasts and Local Early Warning, exploring how advances in AI-based forecasting can strengthen early warning systems and expand global flood guidance. Together, their presentations set the stage for an engaging day of research and discussion.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Left to right: Ken Graham, Grey Nearing

Oral and Poster Sessions

The morning continued with Oral Session 1 and the morning poster session. A wonderful lunch, sponsored by Tucson Water, provided a mid-day break, allowing attendees to network and continue conversations in a relaxed setting. The afternoon featured two additional oral sessions, and an afternoon poster session.

ORAL SESSIONS

POSTER SESSIONS

Celebrating Excellence: The El Día Awards Ceremony

The event concluded with the El Día Awards Ceremony, where outstanding research presentations were celebrated. These awards serve as a reminder of the talent, dedication, and innovation displayed by the students and researchers in the field of hydrology and atmospheric sciences. Congratulations to all the award recipients for their exemplary work and contributions to advancing the field!

AWARDS CEREMONY

Concluding El Día: The Post-Event Reception

To celebrate the day’s events, attendees gathered at No Anchovies for an evening reception, generously sponsored by the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality. The relaxed atmosphere, filled with pizza, laughter, and camaraderie, provided a perfect way to celebrate the day’s success and strengthen connections within the HAS community.

POST-EVENT RECEPTION

Job Fair in Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences

For the first time, the HAS Department hosted a Job Fair as part of El Día, creating a valuable opportunity for students to connect with employers and explore career paths in hydrology, atmospheric sciences, and related fields. The event welcomed 11 companies and organizations, marking an exciting new step in strengthening connections between academia and industry.

• Geo-Logic Associates ~ Sponsor of Student Poster Printing
• GeoSystems Analysis, Inc. ~ Sponsor of Morning Refreshments
• Matrix New World Engineering ~ Sponsor of Afternoon Refreshments
• Pima County Department of Environmental Quality ~ Sponsor for Post-Event Reception
• Pima County Flood Control District ~ Sponsor of Breakfast
• Salt River Project ~ Sponsor of Event Equipment
• Tucson Water ~ Sponsor of Event Lunch

Special Thanks to our El Día Planning Committee! 

Note From EL Dia Chair - Hossein Yousefi Sohi

Congratulations once again to all of this year’s winners. I feel truly proud to be part of the HAS family. 

Serving on the El Día Committee for the past three years has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time in the department. Bringing El Día back to its full spirit after COVID was not easy, but thanks to the hard work of many students over the past few years, this tradition came back stronger. I am grateful that I had the chance to be part of that journey. Through El Día, I learned so much about teamwork, leadership, and community. I truly encourage others to be part of this experience, because it is a special way to give back to the department that supports all of us. One of the best parts for me has been seeing prospective students come to El Día, learn about our department, and leave impressed by our community. We have a wonderful department, and that is because of all of you. 

Next year, Nabin Kalauni will serve as El Día Chair, and I hope many of you will join him in making next year’s event another success.