Anyone who has worked with Professor Jessica Lundquist knows her passion for understanding how snow and water interact in the natural world. Recently, she was honored with three major awards recognizing her contributions to hydrology and scientific mentorship.

In September, Lundquist was named one of five Ambassador Award recipients by the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and selected as the Robert E. Horton Lecturer in Hydrology by the American Meteorological Society (AMS). These honors celebrate her work in snow science, environmental stewardship and her commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Reflecting on the awards, Lundquist shared her gratitude toward her colleagues and students.

"I was surprised to win these awards, but even more grateful that friends and colleagues took the time and effort to nominate me," she said.

The AGU Ambassador Award recognizes exceptional contributions to societal impact, scientific leadership and service to the Earth and space science community. As part of this honor, Lundquist was also inducted into the AGU College of Fellows, a group of distinguished scientists who work to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and provide guidance on global scientific issues.

Lundquist’s Horton Lecturer in Hydrology award highlights her research in mountain hydrology. Her work on understanding snow patterns in mountainous regions has proven crucial for informing forest management practices, especially as climate change affects snowmelt in regions dependent on snow for their water supply.

"I love studying how snow interacts with forests and how those dynamics impact the water we rely on," Lundquist says. "It’s a complex system, but by understanding it better, we can make more informed decisions about how to manage these critical resources."

Beyond her scientific achievements, Lundquist is known for her leadership and dedication to building a more inclusive scientific community. Professor Faisal Hossain, a colleague who nominated Lundquist for the AGU award, noted that she played a critical role in uniting the snow science community through large-scale field campaigns that brought scientists together to solve complex challenges related to snow hydrology.

"Thanks to her selfless stewardship, the cryospheric community today is thriving and working together toward a dedicated satellite mission on snow," Hossain wrote in the nomination.

Lundquist has also been an advocate for creating more opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in the field. She has mentored more than two dozen graduate students — nearly half of them women — throughout her career. In his nomination, Hossain noted how Lundquist’s mentorship has made a lasting impact: "Many early-career scientists have credited her as the reason they pursued hydrology. She has shaped not just research, but also the people who will carry it forward."

Lundquist recognizes the importance of being a visible role model for women in science, showing that they can thrive in the field without compromising who they are.

"Mentoring is a big part of what I do, and it’s always rewarding to see the next generation of scientists succeed," she says. "I want to help build a more diverse and inclusive field where everyone feels supported. When I began my career, being a woman in science often felt like an act of defiance. I wanted to show that you can proudly be both a woman and a scientist — you don’t have to choose."