IIT Roorkee professor first Indian to get EGU Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award

NEW DELHI: Ankit Agarwal, an assistant professor at the Department of Hydrology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has been conferred with the Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award by the European Geosciences Union for his contributions to the field of hydroclimatic extremes. Professor Agarwal is the first Indian to receive the award.

EGU president Irina M Artemieva conferred the award upon Agarwal during the EGU General Assembly 2023 held in Vienna, Austria, from April 23-28, 2023. The Natural Hazards Division of EGU has recognised the professor for his significant research in complexity science for better understanding, quantifying and predicting hydroclimatic extremes.

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Professor Brijesh Kumar Yadav, head of the Department of Hydrology congratulated Agarwal and commended his steadfast research philosophy and student-centered approach. He also praised his dedication to promoting science among underprivileged researchers globally and striving for equitable opportunities.

On being awarded the honor, Professor Agarwal said, "I am obliged and like to express my gratitude towards the EGU, my mentors, colleagues and students and dedicate the award to the Department of Hydrology, IIT Roorkee. The importance of collaborative research on how to prepare against such hazards before they become disasters and how lives and property can be protected is the motif behind predicting hydroclimatic extremes and contributing to society by educating people."

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Professor K K Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, said, "I congratulate Prof Ankit Agarwal for his contribution to the field of Hydrology. His research is an important reminder of how hazards and disasters arise from interactions between environmental and social processes, so interdisciplinary research is crucial in understanding and effectively managing them. A better understanding of interdisciplinary teamwork can have important practical benefits for operational disaster planning and response."