Professor Yoshihide Wada from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has been awarded the 2025 Joanne Simpson Medal for his pioneering research modeling the human footprint on the global hydrological cycle.  

The medal, awarded by the American Geophysical Union (AGU), recognizes exceptional mid-career scientists who have made transformative scientific advances or breakthroughs in the Earth and space sciences. It also celebrates those who have demonstrated strong leadership and provided outstanding service to science and society. 

A professor in KAUST’s Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Wada has challenged unanswered questions in global hydrology, leading to breakthroughs and new ways of thinking about hydrology and its interaction with human activities and society.  

“I’m deeply honored to receive this award,” Wada said. “This recognition reflects the collective pursuit to understand and address the profound ways human systems influence global water resources.”  

AGU, the world's largest Earth and space science association, celebrates individuals and teams through its annual Honors and Recognition program for their accomplishments in research, education, science communication, and outreach. This medal is named in honor of Joanne Simpson, who was the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in meteorology and who made fundamental contributions to modern research on tropical clouds and hurricanes.  

Inspired by Simpson, Wada has employed systems science approaches and successfully integrated groundwater depletion into work on global food trade, hydro-economics, macroeconomics, the water-food-energy nexus, ecosystem services, and stakeholder-driven decision-making games. He has also influenced perceptions on how to manage local groundwater resources internationally.  

“Inspired by Dr. Simpson’s pioneering legacy, I remain committed to advancing integrated science that bridges hydrology, economics, and policy-driven sustainable solutions for water security across borders,” he said. 

Joining KAUST in 2022, Wada has collaborated with Saudi stakeholders and international organizations to develop scalable solutions for the Kingdom, previously serving as the director of Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and the chair professor at Utrecht University. He has also contributed to major policy mechanisms, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the G20. 

Professor Wada joins a distinguished group of scientists, leaders, and communicators recognized by the AGU who have transformed our understanding of the world, affected our everyday lives, improved our communities, and contributed to solutions for a sustainable future. He will be recognized along with other 2025 honorees at the annual AGU meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 15–19, 2025.