Jonathan Frame

Dr. Jonathan Frame is an Assistant Professor of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning in Geological Sciences at the University of Alabama (2024–present) and a Faculty Fellow at the Alabama Water Institute (2024–2027). He holds a PhD in Geological Sciences from the University of Alabama (2022), an MS in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Irvine (2011), and a BS in Earth Systems Science, Technology, and Policy from California State University, Monterey Bay (2010). His research focuses on advancing hydrologic modeling through machine learning, including deep learning for streamflow forecasting, geospatial modeling, and flood prediction systems. Notable projects include improving the National Water Model with LSTM networks and developing rapid inundation mapping techniques using satellite data. He has contributed to over 30 peer-reviewed publications and actively participates in conferences like AGU and NeurIPS. His engineering experience spans flood risk mitigation, groundwater analysis, and pipeline transient modeling across California, Texas, and Washington.

Research Interests

• Machine learning integration in hydrological systems
• Operational flood forecasting and inundation mapping
• Data-driven approaches for ungauged basins
• Climate nonstationarity and model adaptability
• Hydraulic transient analysis in water infrastructure

Recent Contributions

Frame’s recent work emphasizes NextGen water modeling frameworks, combining physics-based models with AI to enhance predictive accuracy. His 2025 paper on heterogeneous water modeling frameworks and 2024 studies on rapid inundation mapping highlight innovations in integrating satellite observations with hydrologic models. He also explores topics like mass conservation constraints in rainfall-runoff models and evapotranspiration prediction using deep learning.

Grants & Projects

• FEMA partnership for near-real-time flood damage prediction systems
• NOAA-funded research on AI in environmental sciences
• NASA snowpack analysis for water resources forecasting
• Development of the Tarsier environmental modeling framework

Labs & Collaborations

Frame collaborates with the Alabama Water Institute and contributes to interdisciplinary teams advancing hydrologic AI. His work intersects with climate science, environmental engineering, and computational hydrology to address global water challenges.