Dr. Fadji Zaouna Maina

A Nigerien woman scientist

Dr. Fadji Zaouna Maina is an Associate Research Scientist in the Hydrological Sciences Lab at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in the USA. Fadji uses land and hydrologic models along with data assimilation tools to study the effects of climate change and human activities on water resources. Fadji has worked to tackle water resource challenges in the western USA, Europe, High Mountain Asia, and the Sahel. She aims to provide scientific insights that improve climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. Fadji was included in Forbes Magazine’s 30 Under 30 list in 2020 and was named one of the “100 Most Influential Africans of 2020" by the New African Magazine. She received the NASA GSFC Hydrosphere, Biosphere, Geophysics Peer Award for Scientific Achievement in 2021 and 2023. Dr. Maina 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).