I’m a 3rd year PhD student in the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences as well as the Bryant Bannister Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research. My graduate research involves understanding changes to the Southwestern US’s climate, precipitation and hydrology in the present and how they relate to the past. Furthermore, I have an interest in fostering relationships and promoting communication between science/policy/public as these three realms are often disconnected from each other. In line with this part of my dissertation, I have developed a project in collaboration with the local National Weather Service (NWS) office to create awareness in the public prior, during and after the start of the several flooding seasons in Arizona with an emphasis on the Spanish-speaking community.

The NWS has a mission to protect life and property and enhance the national economy. However, from 1980 to 2018 the US has responded to 241 weather and climate disasters that reached or exceeded $1 billion in damages, with a total price tag of over $1.6 trillion and thousands of human casualties. Additionally, the scientific community has continuously suggested that the agency improve the way its products are accessed, comprehended, and utilized by the public. This problem is compounded in states such as Arizona where the Spanish-speaking community makes up more than 40% of the population, yet very little information is available in Spanish. In order to fill this gap, the purpose of my project is to create an assortment of ArcGIS Story Maps (SMs), which are online interactive narratives that describe the development, attributes and consequences of flooding throughout Arizona with graphics, images and video, in both English and Spanish. These SMs will also be simplified such that brochures can be printed and distributed in the NWS outreach and safety events held throughout the year. Moreover, I will seek out feedback from the public throughout the academic year to improve the way this information is presented through outreach and social media. As a scientist and native-Spanish speaker and member of the Hispanic community, I believe it is my duty to impart knowledge in a language the public is comfortable communicating in.    

[UPDATE] View Diana's StoryMaps here!