Message from the Chair
Water is the foundation of all life on Earth and plays an important role in our daily lives and in the world economy. It sustains ecosystems, supports agriculture and food production, fuels energy generation, and supports public health. Yet this essential resource is under growing stress. Population growth, climate change, and competing demands from cities, farms, and industry are intensifying pressure on limited supplies. At the same time, floods, droughts, and water quality challenges are becoming more severe, affecting communities worldwide.
To address these challenges, research in water and the hydrologic sciences is more important than ever. Advancing our understanding of how water moves through landscapes, interacts with soils and aquifers, and responds to a changing climate provides the foundation for sustainable management. Hydrologic research enables us to design better forecasting tools, improve infrastructure planning, enhance water-use efficiency, and protect ecosystems and drinking water sources. Without continued innovation in this field, we risk falling behind the accelerating pace of water-related problems.
The Hydrologic Sciences Graduate Group at UC Davis offers a uniquely comprehensive and integrated hydrologic science program, supported by a diverse group of faculty, structured around five complementary specializations. Our program prepares students with both technical depth and interdisciplinary breadth, spanning ecosystem-level research, fundamental physical research, numerical modeling, and policy and management. Students are often engaged in water research projects involving partners in academia, industry, and public agencies, requiring creative thinking, diverse perspectives, social engagement, and cutting-edge tools.
By joining the Hydrologic Sciences Graduate Group, you will not only enter one of the top-tier public research universities in the nation, but be embraced by an exceptionally collaborative academic culture — one that fosters an atmosphere where students are supported by faculty mentors, inspired by cross-disciplinary dialogue, and encouraged to pursue bold, innovative research questions. I look forward to working with all of you to achieve your goals.
Helen Dahlke
Dr. Helen E. Dahlke, Chair of the Hydrologic Sciences Graduate Group, Professor in Integrated Hydrologic Sciences
