Dr. Antarpreet Jutla is a brilliant engineer-scientist. He has taken a unique approach to interdisciplinary research in developing a robust, plausible hypothesis-driven mechanism assimilating geophysical, microbiological and sociological processes to predict the risk of pandemics. Rather than relying on regression-based modeling, his research is entirely novel and has resulted in the prediction, with a high degree of accuracy, of the movement of pathogens and the associated diseases they cause in human populations. Cholera broke out in Haiti following the massive earthquake of 2010. Using historical evidence gathered from the Indus River basin in Asia, he classified cholera occurrence in two forms: epidemic (sudden outbreaks) and endemic (recurrence and persistence of disease). Dr. Jutla further showed cholera in Haiti was significantly influenced by regional hydroclimatic factors optimal for a disease outbreak and provided a framework to develop a powerful cholera prediction model, using his theoretical mathematical and engineering skillsets.

Dr. Jutla was one of the first engineer-scientists (as a graduate student) to organize sessions highlighting the importance of integrating geophysical processes with human health outcomes. He has been instrumental in bridging knowledge gaps between geoscientists and microbiologists, evidenced by his role in developing a climate change initiative for AGU and the American Society for Microbiology. Dr. Jutla’s contributions to science, engineering and society are extraordinary and highly merit recognition by this award.

— Rita R. Colwell
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland

Receiving the Charles S. Falkenberg Award is a tremendous honor that instills enthusiasm and a deep sense of humility. This accolade not only represents a personal milestone but also stands as a tribute to collaborative efforts and unwavering support of numerous individuals who have played a pivotal role in my research journey. I am thankful to the committee responsible for reviewing nominations and considering me for this esteemed recognition. I express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Rita Colwell, Dr. Stacey Archfield, Dr. Shafik Islam and Dr. Venkat Lakshmi, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in the success of my career.This award celebrates interdisciplinary research that integrates water, climate and weather with human well-being (health). Quoting AGU, "Falkenberg was also committed to increasing public awareness of both the research methods and findings regarding the Earth's environment." Indeed, working on infectious diseases such as cholera has taught me that public awareness is fundamentally coupled with modalities of geophysical processes that impact where humans live and work and subsequently set the stage for interactions with water-related pathogens. Since environmentally sensitive pathogens are less likely to be eradicated, it becomes imperative to identify pathways of cohabitation while ensuring a robust public health response. Looking back in time, one summer afternoon, I attended a seminar where Dr. Rita Colwell (not knowing at that time that she would have the most profound impact on my life and career) showed a visualization with satellites measuring chlorophyll over oceans, water levels, cholera bacteria and flowing rivers — truly fascinating multidisciplinary research. Her talk changed everything, particularly the way I, a traditionally trained water resources engineer, used to think about water. However, I was recruited to conduct research on evapotranspiration methods using remote sensing data. I approached Shafik (my doctoral adviser) with courage, yet timidly, and said, "I do not want to research evapotranspiration. I want to link health with hydrology." He patiently listened with a bleak expression (which made me exceedingly anxious) and said, "Go for it" (and he became a lifelong mentor). That moment marked the commencement of what has partially culminated with this award.I would like to express again my gratitude to AGU, Earth Science Information Partners and the colleagues who put forward my nomination for this award. I will conclude with Eliot’s “between the idea and the reality, between the motion and the act, falls the shadow,” and it is only the beginning!— Antarpreet Singh Jutla, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida