Shriya Padmanabh Danekar
Environmental engineering
Hometown: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Graduation date: Spring 2026
GCSP research stipend | Spring 2025
Building a Regional Streamflow Model to Assess Water Scarcity in the Western U.S.
Water scarcity is a growing challenge in the western United States as population growth drives demand and aridification reduces supply. This research project focuses on developing a regional streamflow model consistent with historical spatial and temporal patterns and projected climate changes to assess regional water supply reliability. This work would enable future streamflow projections in the Colorado River basin and nearby watersheds to advance sustainable planning on a regional scale using water system analysis models. The implications of this project are in areas such as improving drinking water reliability and informing policy and infrastructure decision-making processes.
Mentor: Margaret Garcia
It’s hip to be square.
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Featured project | Spring 2025
Shriya Danekar, an undergraduate environmental engineering student, used her GCSP research stipend to explore her passion for sustainability. Danekar aims to improve the management of the limited water resources in the western U.S. under the supervision of Margaret Garcia, a Fulton Schools associate professor of civil, environmental and sustainable engineering.
What made you want to get involved in this program? Why did you choose the project you’re working on?
I have always been eager to gain research experience at ASU in the field of sustainability. As an environmental engineering student, I am passionate about exploring different aspects of sustainability, and this research project in hydrology has provided the perfect opportunity to develop my technical skills. I chose this project, “Assessing the Water Scarcity Problem in the Western United States,” because it involves statistical modeling, an essential skill for analyzing environmental data and one that I was eager to strengthen.
How will your engineering research project impact the world?
This project contributes to advancing knowledge in water resource management and assessing the impacts of extreme weather fluctuations on water availability. The goal is to better understand how weather changes affect water scarcity in the western U.S. and provide insights that can help address this critical issue. The findings have broad implications, including improving access to drinking water, informing water policy decisions and enhancing water infrastructure. In an era where sustainable water management is essential, this research plays a vital role in supporting long-term solutions.
How do you see this experience helping with your career and advanced degree goals?
This project directly aligns with the topics I am studying in my environmental engineering degree program while integrating the statistical modeling skills from my data science minor. It provides the perfect opportunity to apply and strengthen my knowledge in both fields while gaining new technical and analytical skills. Beyond the technical aspects, this experience is helping me develop professional and communication skills, making me a more well-rounded engineer and better prepared for my future career or advanced studies.
What is the best advice you’ve gotten from your faculty mentor?
The best advice I have received from my faculty mentor has been technical guidance. With Dr. Garcia’s deep expertise in hydrology and data analysis tools, she has provided invaluable insights that have helped me navigate this field as a newcomer. Dr. Garcia’s support has been instrumental in helping me understand hydrology in the United States, improve my programming skills and grow both academically and professionally.
Why should other students get involved in this program?
FURI and the GCSP research stipend program are an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students to gain hands-on research experience. It introduces them to a wide range of fields within their major or new areas of interest, helping them discover what they might want to pursue in their professional careers. Additionally, the program fosters meaningful connections with faculty mentors and provides a platform to present research in a professional setting and receive valuable feedback from both academia and industry. It is a great way for students to develop technical skills, build their professional networks and gain insight into potential career paths.
