Fadji Maina, researcher: understand the Earth at NASA

Nigerien, Fadji Maina received her degree in hydrology and environmental sciences at the University of Strasbourg. Three postdoctoral positions later, she is today a researcher at the prestigious NASA. Here, she studies water resources using satellite data. A speaker at the United Nations and at COP (Conference of the Parties), she was named in Forbes magazine’s 2020 list of 30 scientists under the age of 30.

In 2020, at just 29 years old, Fadji Maina became the first Nigerien woman to join NASA. The American agency identified her through her research on regional vulnerabilities to climate extremes, such as massive wildfires in California. At the Goddard Space Flight Center and at the University of Maryland, close to Washington, she analyzes satellite data to understand the global availability of water resources.

“We can observe entire Earth” 

“NASA satellites provide information about the water cycle: precipitation, soil moisture, vegetation, groundwater… My expertise lies in combining this data through models to reconstruct the water cycle, understand changes, and the impact of human activities. I particularly study regions such as India, South America, the Sahel, California, or the Midwestern United States, in order to improve predictions and anticipate flood and drought risks,” explains the hydrologist.

More precisely, she uses hydrological data that she translates into equations to describe phenomena. Once these are solved, she writes algorithms for the construction of a digital model. She is passionate about bringing together several sciences to produce new knowledge. “We can observe the entire Earth to understand it. I am constantly learning.” Currently, she is developing a new model for water resource estimation in North America, in real time and at a resolution of up to one kilometer. Something never achieved before.

United nation, COPs and media 

The scientist is one of the first observers of global warming. Previous cyclical models no longer depict reality and must be adapted. Melting Himalayan glaciers, disappearing snow cover in California, overpopulation, desertification, excessive water consumption in certain regions of the world… Nevertheless, she remains optimistic: “Today, we have all these tools: AI, satellites, computers to better understand these phenomena and create a sustainable world.”

She shares her work at international scientific conferences, as well as at the United Nations and COP meetings, which regularly bring her into the media spotlight. In 2020, Forbes recognized her by including her in its 30 Under 30 in science list.

Doctoral thesis with “exceptional” distinction 

Passionate, endlessly curious and determined, Fadji Maina has built an exemplary and inspiring career path. Born in Niger, she pursued her studies thanks to scholarships: a bachelor’s degree in geology at the University of Fez, followed by a master’s degree in environmental engineering and sciences in Strasbourg. During her PhD, she developed a model of the Cadarache aquifer for the CEA (the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission), which earned her an “exceptional” distinction at her 2016 defense. “My studies in Strasbourg provided me with the fundamental knowledge that allows me to practice my profession today,” she adds.

She then completed three postdoctoral positions: at the CNRS in Strasbourg, at the Polytechnic University of Milan, and at Berkeley Lab in California.

 Committed to education and the promotion of science in Niger, she launched a nonprofit mentoring program in 2023 to support around fifteen selected Nigerien PhD students (advice, leadership, networking, research choices…). It is her way of contributing, encouraging young talent towards exciting scientific careers.

 Her advice as an outstanding scientist: “Be curious and have a goal: what is the problem that you wish to solve? This is our humanity: to wake up every morning with the desire to improve the world.”

Interview by Stéphanie Robert, translated by Liana Shamoevi