The award recognizes his paper, “Improving Long-Term Flood Forecasting Accuracy Using Ensemble Deep Learning Models and an Attention Mechanism,”which presents a significant advancement in predictive modeling for flood events. Dr. Nazari was formally recognized at the 2026 World Environmental and Water Resources Congress, held April 26–29 in Mobile, Alabama, where he was also invited to deliver a 45-minute award lecture on the research and its broader impact.

Flooding remains one of the most devastating natural hazards worldwide, resulting in substantial economic losses and posing serious risks to communities. A persistent challenge in flood management is the ability to accurately predict events far enough in advance to enable effective planning and response. Dr. Nazari’s research addresses this gap by introducing a novel deep learning framework capable of forecasting river discharge up to 12 weeks ahead—significantly extending the predictive window beyond traditional short-term models.

Conducted in collaboration with an international team of researchers — Drs. Marjan Kordani, Mohammad Reza Nikoo, Mahmood Fooladi, Iman Ahmadianfar, and Amir H. Gandomi—this work demonstrates the potential of advanced artificial intelligence methods to transform water resource management and disaster preparedness.

This recognition highlights Nazari’s leadership in innovative, high-impact research and underscores the University of Memphis’s commitment to addressing critical global challenges through advanced engineering and data-driven solutions.

For more information on this award or research, contact Nazari at rnazari@memphis.edu.