Dennis P. Lettenmaier

Dennis P. Lettenmaier is a Distinguished Professor of Geography at UCLA, joined in 2014 after 38 years at the University of Washington. He specializes in hydrological modeling, climate-hydrology interactions, and water management.

Education:

• Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of Washington, 1975
• MS, Civil, Mechanical and Environmental Engineering, George Washington University, 1972
• BSc, Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, 1970

Research Interests: Focuses on advancing hydrological science through modeling, remote sensing, and climate interactions. His work addresses water resource challenges, including drought, wildfire impacts, and sustainable management practices.

Awards: Multiple prestigious awards, including AGU’s Horton Medal (2018), AMS Charney Medal (2017), and recognition as a Highly Cited Researcher (2019). A Fellow of AGU, AMS, and AAAS, and member of the National Academy of Engineering.

Grants & Advising: Extensive grants and advising roles not detailed here. Prior roles include NASA’s Land Surface Hydrology Program Manager (1997–98) and visiting scientist at the USGS (1985–86).

Labs/Teams: Active in UCLA’s Geography Department and affiliated with hydrology research groups. His research group focuses on global hydrological systems and climate change impacts.