AAMU's Preetha to Collaborate with MIT LL on Improving Hydro-Climate Monitoring

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT LL) has awarded AAMU Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering Dr. Pooja Preetha with a $73,450 grant to spearhead a one-year project entitled “Advanced Sensing for Hydrological Metrology." The grant is part of MIT LL’s FY 24 Climate Initiative.

“The primary objective of this initiative is to bridge crucial gaps in hydrological measurements and models. The focus will be on enhancing the accuracy of precipitation estimates, soil moisture predictions and monitoring, and snow water equivalent (SWE) estimation for advancing climate solutions,” says Preetha.

Dr. Preetha and Brian Tyrrell are Principal Investigators from AAMU and MIT LL respectively.

“Climate change and changes in human resource utilization will lead to significant changes in groundwater resources, thus motivating accurate hydrologic measurements and models,” states Tyrrell, Senior Research Staff Member at MIT LL. “There are existing DoD facilities for which continued access to an adequate water supply may present a challenge to military readiness. In this study, MIT LL will collaborate with Alabama A&M to identify existing gaps in hydrological measurements and models and potential technological solutions, leveraging MIT LL's expertise in remote sensing and data analysis,” adds Tyrrell.

The grant not only supports this important research, but will also allow AAMU to train and support senior undergraduate students and one graduate student. Preetha says it’s also a testament to the enduring partnership between MIT LL and AAMU, instigated by AAMU Associate Dean of College of Engineering, Technology, and Physical Sciences for Student Success, Professor and Chair of the Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics Department, Dr. Padmaja Guggilla.