Dr. Fadji Zaouna Maina

A Nigerien woman scientist

Dr. Fadji Zaouna Maina is a Research Scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She applies advanced models, enhanced with satellite-derived datasets, to assess the impacts of climate variability and human activities on water systems. Her work deepens understanding of water availability and climate extremes, such as droughts and floods, across diverse regions including the United States, Europe, High Mountain Asia, South America, and the Sahel. By integrating scientific modeling with Earth observations, Dr. Maina provides actionable insights to support long-term planning and sustainable water resource management in a changing world.
Originally from Niger, Dr. Maina is committed to supporting the next generation of scientists from her home country. In 2023, she launched a nine-month mentoring program for Nigerien Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers. Each year, it selects ten early-career scientists and provides them with personalized guidance, skill-building, and access to international research networks.
Dr. Maina has been widely recognized for her contributions to science and public service. She was named to Forbes Magazine’s “30 Under 30” list in 2020 and selected as one of the “100 Most Influential Africans of 2020” by New African Magazine. She is also a two-time recipient of the NASA Goddard Hydrosphere, Biosphere, and Geophysics Peer Award for Scientific Achievement (2021, 2023). She holds a Ph.D. in Hydrology and an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Strasbourg (France), and a B.S. in Geological Engineering from the University of Fes (Morocco).