Author: Fatemeh Ganji is a PhD student at ISU studying environmental science and climate change.
This year’s Iowa Water Conference, themed “Life Depends on Water. Water Depends on You,” highlighted the essential role each of us plays in water conservation. I was privileged to attend and present my research on “Projected Impacts of Climate Change on Hydrological Extremes in Iowa.” The event gathered professionals across various fields, offering a unique platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration on Iowa’s pressing water challenges.
I’m excited to share that my poster presentation won second place, which was a truly humbling experience given the outstanding contributions from my peers. The insightful feedback from the judges encouraged me to further explore the complexities of climate change’s effects on water systems, specifically how extreme hydrological events like floods and droughts are projected to increase. This recognition has inspired me to continue refining my research in this vital area. Aside from presenting, I was also honored to lead a breakout session on flood risk management. This gave me the chance to guide discussions with experts in the field, which helped me better understand the challenges and new solutions being worked on to manage flood risks in Iowa.
One of the standout moments of the conference was Brandi Janssen’s keynote on “Upstream Thinking.” Her talk on proactive strategies for improving water quality resonated with me, particularly as it aligns with my focus on preparing for the increasing severity of water-related events in Iowa. Her insights were a powerful reminder of the responsibility we all have in preserving and protecting our water resources.
Overall, attending the 2024 Iowa Water Conference was an invaluable experience that has strengthened my commitment to tackling Iowa’s water issues. While winning second place was a significant highlight, the knowledge gained, and the professional connections made are equally important.
Acknowledgments: I am deeply grateful to the conference organizers for hosting such an enriching event. Special thanks to Laura Frescoln, whose support and guidance helped make this experience rewarding. I would also like to express my appreciation to the sponsors and donors for providing the scholarship that covered my participation in the conference. I also want to thank Dr. Lu Liu and my colleagues at Iowa State University for their mentorship and collaboration throughout my research.