Research Scientist · NASA GSFC & UMBC
Applying satellite data and advanced models to understand our planet's water systems, from the Sahel to the Himalayas, and into the future.
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, selecting early-career scientists each year and providing 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 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).
Position
Research Scientist
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA
Research Focus
Education
Ph.D. Hydrology
University of Strasbourg, France
M.S. Environmental Engineering
University of Strasbourg, France
B.S. Geological Engineering
University of Fes, Morocco
From the Sahel to the Himalayas, water systems across our planet
Maina, F.Z., Kumar, S.V. · Nature Communications 16, 4731 (2025)
Maina, F.Z., Rosen D., Abbaszadeh P., Yang C., Kumar S.V., Rodell M., Maxwell R. · Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems 17, e2024MS004415
Flores, J. A., Gleason, C. J., Brown, C., Vergopolan, N., Maina, F.Z., et al. · AGU Advances 6, e2024AV001586
Since 2023, Dr. Maina has run a 9-month program connecting Nigerien Ph.D. students and postdocs with global thought leaders, including Nobel Laureates, helping them build the skills and networks to thrive in science.