HydRA Lab
As an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at Oklahoma State University I supervised, and still work with, some amazing students on various climatic topics. The HydRA lab studies Hydroclimate and EnviRonmental Adaptation to climate change. Climate change touches all aspects of the natural world, with shifting weather patterns and water regimes changing the environment at a rapid rate. The lab is grounded in the field of Climatology, but incorporates adjacent disciplines such as Meteorology, Biogeography, and Hydrology to study environmental changes more holistically. Read more about the lab members below.
Lab Director
Saber E. Brasher, PhD
Associate Scientist and Affiliate Professor
I joined the Department of Geography at Oklahoma State University in 2022 after receiving my PhD in Climatology from the University of Delaware. In addition to my appointment in Geography, I was also an affiliate faculty member for the Environmental Science Graduate Program. After the fall session of 2024, I left the tenure track to pursue a position with CIRES/NSIDC as an Associate Scientist. My research interests broadly span hydroclimatology, synoptic climatology and meteorology, climate dynamics, biogeography, and the linkages between ecosystems and climate change.
CV - Last Updated August 2024
Graduate Students
Great Igiekhumhe, BT
Environmental Science MS, in progress
Great Igiekhumhe received his B.Tech. in Marine Science and Technology from the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria. He is currently a master's student majoring in Environmental Science at the Department of Geography at Oklahoma State University. He is passionate about environmental stewardship, and has a range of research interests including climate change, sustainability, and air/water quality. He aspires to obtain a PhD in related disciplines, and support environmental management practices with scientific research. Outside of his studies, he likes to discuss, and engage in sports.
Farzana Afroz, BURP
Geography MS, in progress
Farzana Afroz earned her BURP (Bachelor's in Urban and Regional Planning) from the Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET), Bangladesh. As a master’s student in the Department of Geography at OSU, she is thrilled to dive into the intricate web of interdisciplinary studies, focusing on RS and GIS applications across hydroclimate and land use changes. She envisions her future as a dedicated researcher, eagerly embracing challenges of the climatic domain. She is determined to use her organizational and interpersonal skills to shape a career that's as diverse as the world she aims to impact. Apart from her research and academic activities, she likes travelling and exploring new places.
Undergraduate Students
Abby Livingston
Environmental Science Major
Abby is an undergraduate at Oklahoma State University majoring in environmental science with a focus on policy. She is in her senior year of college. Abby is interested in studying several environmental topics such as climate change, air quality, and food waste. She also enjoys learning about agriculture including topics such as sustainable agriculture, cropping systems, and irrigation. Her future plans are to attend graduate school studying plant sciences or agronomy.
Lab Mascots
River Brasher, Good Boy
Wiggle Butt Extraordinaire
River would classify himself as chaotic good - he likes to keep things interesting, but is always happy to boost team morale! He loves to spend time on/around campus and to go for runs with his mom (Dr. B) so long as the weather isn't too hot or humid. He enjoys ALL foods, licking faces, and a good jaunt in the woods. Like a lot of Australian Shepherds, he is a ball of love (and hair)!
The Hydra
Mythical Water Dragon
Inspired by a childhood love of DnD and odd creatures, the Hydra's three heads represent the diverse interests of the lab and the many moods of doing research. The mythical water dragon also serves as a reminder to not take yourself too seriously and that research should be fun (and is also sometimes weird)!