Coastal Hydrology Lab Members Attend National Workshop on Compounding and Cascading Risks

Aug, 2025

The Coastal Hydrology Lab is proud to share that Soheil Radfar, Michael Lewis, and Faezeh Maghsoodifar were selected to attend the 2025 Workshop on Compounding, Cascading, and Critical Risks to U.S. Infrastructure and Security.

This high-level workshop brought together scientists and practitioners to examine the complex intersections of extreme weather events, infrastructure systems, emergency responses, and societal vulnerabilities. The event provided a unique platform for participants to engage in collaborative brainstorming sessions and develop multi-hazard storylines that reflect the interconnected realities of modern disasters.

Coastal Hydrology Lab Member in New Role

Aug, 2025

Georgios Boumis joins the University of Maine as an Assistant Professor. Georgios has joined the University of Maine as an Assistant Professor of Coastal Engineering and Infrastructure Resilience. His work centers on advancing flood risk assessments for Maine’s coastal communities in the face of climate variability and change. Through his research, he continues to develop insights that strengthen resilience and inform adaptation strategies for communities across the region.

Future Coasts Group

Coastal Hydrology Lab Participates in Summer Institute

Jul, 2025

The Coastal Hydrology Lab is pleased to announce that Faezeh Maghsoodifar and Saide Zand were selected as Water Prediction Innovators Summer Institute Fellows through the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc. (CUAHSI).

As Fellows, they are engaging in intensive, team-based projects focused on advancing water prediction—exploring methods and tools relevant to flood forecasting, coastal hazards, and decision support. Their participation strengthens the lab’s applied research portfolio and fosters new collaborations with peer researchers and mentors across the hydrologic science community. This recognition reflects their intense preparation and the lab’s growing role in developing practical solutions.

Coastal Hydrology Lab Member in New Roles

May, 2025

Sadaf has joined Carnegie Mellon University as a postdoctoral researcher, where she will focus on developing statistical and numerical models to identify coastal hotspots most vulnerable to flooding. Her work emphasizes integrating adaptation strategies to create practical and efficient pathways for real-world flood resilience.

During her time in the Coastal Hydrology Lab, Sadaf achieved a significant milestone with the publication of “Establishing flood thresholds for sea level rise impact communication” (Mahmoudi et al., 2024). This study introduced a machine-learning system capable of estimating sea level rise and high tide flooding thresholds in coastal areas lacking tide gauge stations.

This distinguished achievement underscores her commitment to bridging critical data gaps in coastal monitoring. By improving the ability of communities to anticipate chronic flooding risks, her work supports both adaptation planning and informed policy decisions.

Coastal Hydrology Lab Presents at AGU Fall Meeting 2024 in Washington, D.C.

Dec, 2024

Members of the Coastal Hydrology Lab participated in the AGU Fall Meeting 2024 in Washington, D.C., sharing new findings on coastal hazards, compound flooding, and climate-driven risk to critical infrastructure and communities. The team contributed through oral presentations, posters, and technical discussions, engaging with scientists, practitioners, and policymakers across hydrology, ocean sciences, and natural hazards

Our Research Gains National and International Media Attention

Oct, 2024

Dr. Soheil Radfar, a postdoctoral fellow in the Coastal Hydrology Lab, has drawn international recognition for his work on the role of marine heatwaves in fueling the rapid intensification of hurricanes. BBC News recently interviewed him about how unusually warm ocean waters contributed to the explosive strengthening of Hurricane Milton. Dr. Radfar’s recent study, co-authored with Dr. Hamed Moftakhari and Dr. Hamid Moradkhani, provides new insight into the connection between extreme ocean warming events and hurricane dynamics. Their findings have opened an important line of discussion in public media and have been prominently featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and AGU’s Eos.

This recognition underscores a critical point: marine heatwaves act as an additional energy source for tropical cyclones, enabling storms to intensify faster and reach higher peak strengths than expected. By advancing understanding of these processes, Dr. Radfar and the Coastal Hydrology Lab are helping to inform preparedness and resilience strategies for coastal communities.

Coastal Hydrology Lab Researchers Selected for 2024 NSF/NCAR/UCAR BRIGHT Program

Aug, 2024

Coastal Hydrology Lab members Faezeh Maghsoodifar, Dr. Soheil Radfar, and Georgios Boumis were selected to participate in the 2024 BRIGHT Program hosted by NSF/NCAR/UCAR. Under the theme “Exploring Coastal Resilience and Flood Risk through Geospatial Storytelling,” the cohort engaged in advanced training on geospatial tools, climate data, and science communication while collaborating with atmospheric scientists and early-career researchers to develop innovative storytelling methods for communicating flood risk and coastal resilience. Their work focused on translating complex datasets—including tides, surge, rainfall, and sea-level rise—into accessible narratives that can support decision-making, education, and public awareness. This achievement highlights the Coastal Hydrology Lab’s commitment to impactful research and to advancing the communication of climate and flood risks in ways that directly support community resilience.

Coastal Hydrology Lab Study Featured for Breakthrough in Flood Threshold Estimation

Aug, 2024

Sadaf Mahmoudi, a graduate researcher in the Coastal Hydrology Lab, has earned national recognition for her work on pinpointing local high-tide flood thresholds in data-sparse coastal communities. UA News recently highlighted her study, which introduces a machine-learning framework to estimate sea-level rise and nuisance-flooding thresholds where tide gauges are absent. Mahmoudi’s research, co-authored with Dr. Hamed Moftakhari and NOAA scientist Dr. William Sweet, offers new insight into how communities can anticipate the onset of disruptive high-tide flooding. Their findings have sparked an important conversation among planners and risk communicators and are informing emerging best practices for coastal resilience.

Coastal Hydrology Lab Members Attend “Assessing Nature-Based Solutions to Mitigate Flood Impacts and Enhance Resilience” Workshop

May, 2024

Had another great stakeholder engagement experience! As part of our NBS project, we’re collaborating with modeling, ecological, and social teams to develop compound flood models in conjunction with end-users, ensuring that our results are actionable and relevant. This workshop provided an excellent platform for meaningful dialogue and the exchange of valuable insights, thanks to the support of NOAA and UA CIROH. We’re excited about the promising outcomes and innovative products that will stem from this initiative. Stay tuned for more updates! 

Coastal Hydrology Lab Engages K–12 Educators at 2024 SciREN Alabama

Mar, 2024

Members of the Coastal Hydrology Lab participated in the 2024 Scientific Research and Education Network (SciREN) Alabama event, a regional forum that connects research scientists with K–12 educators. Representing the lab, Faezeh Maghsoodifar and Michael Lewis attended on behalf of the Coastal Hydrology Lab, sharing current research and classroom-ready concepts with teachers from across the state.

The team presented on the impacts of sea-level rise and compound flooding in coastal areas—clarifying what compound flooding is, its primary drivers, and how climate change is altering coastal risk and ecosystems. Their engagement underscores the lab’s commitment to community outreach, translating cutting-edge science into practical resources that support educators and inspire the next generation of coastal resilience leaders.

Coastal Hydrology Lab Members attended AGU Fall Meeting 2023 in San Francisco, CA

 Dec, 2023

Our team had the opportunity to present our latest research findings, engage in insightful discussions, and collaborate with other experts in the field. The meeting provided a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge and exploring new ideas to advance our understanding of coastal hydrology and related disciplines.

The AGU news article has covered our recent work

Sep, 2023

New Study Reveals Increase in Extreme Coastal Flooding Due to Warming Climate
We are excited to share that our recent research, demonstrating the rise of extreme coastal flooding in a warming climate, has been published in the esteemed journal Earth’s Future. The study, led by Georgios Boumis in collaboration with Hamid Moradkhani from the University of Alabama’s College of Engineering, highlights the significant impact of climate change on coastal flood frequency.
The research indicates that what were once considered 100-year floods could occur annually by the end of the 21st century. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for adaptive measures to mitigate the risks associated with rising sea levels and increased storm intensity.
Our findings emphasize the importance of developing resilient coastal infrastructure and implementing effective flood management strategies to protect vulnerable communities.

Sadaf received the Outstanding Student Presentation Award for her presentation at AGU Fall Meeting 2022 in Chicago!

​Feb, 2023

We are thrilled to announce that Sadaf has received the Outstanding Student Presentation Award for her exceptional presentation at the AGU Fall Meeting 2022 in Chicago! This prestigious award recognizes her dedication, hard work, and excellence in research.

Congratulations Sadaf!

Coastal Hydrology Lab attended AGU Fall Meeting 2022 in Chicago, IL

 Jan, 2023

Our team had the opportunity to present groundbreaking work, collaborate with leading experts, and gain valuable insights that will drive our future projects. The AGU Fall Meeting continues to be a cornerstone event for our lab, fostering innovation and advancing our mission in coastal hydrology research.

Dr. Moftakhari wins Cronin Award from Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation

Sep, 2021

This award recognizes the significant accomplishments of an estuarine scientist who is in the early stages of their career development. The recipient will have shown great promise with work carried out during the first six years past the PhD.

Participation in the National Water Center’s Summer Institute 2019

Oct, 2018

David Munoz is selected to participate in the National Water Center Innovators Program Summer Institute of 2019 to study coupled inland-coastal hydraulics​.