Dr. Md Rashed Chowdhury is a distinguished climate applications scientist with an extensive academic and professional background, specializing in the intersection of water, climate, and society. His academic journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, followed by a Master's and PhD in Urban and Regional Planning, focusing on Environmental Systems. Over the years, he has developed specialized expertise in Climate Variability and Change, honing his skills through various research and academic roles.

Dr. Chowdhury has a rich professional history marked by four years of postdoctoral research. He spent two years at the prestigious National Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention in Japan, where he contributed to advancing disaster prevention science, and two years at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society at Columbia University in the United States. His work during this period focused on seasonal climate variability and its impacts on vulnerable regions, particularly related to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, a critical area of study that has global significance for climate prediction and disaster preparedness.

A prolific researcher, Dr. Chowdhury has published nearly 40 research papers and authored the influential book *Seasonal Flood Forecasts and Warning Response Opportunities* (2022), published by Springer. This work serves as an essential resource for disaster risk reduction across the Asia-Pacific region, compiling successful case studies and strategies to improve climate adaptation and response efforts in countries vulnerable to extreme weather events.

In his academic career, Dr. Chowdhury currently holds a position as an adjunct faculty member at Arizona State University's School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment. There, he teaches advanced graduate courses on seasonal climate forecasts, focusing on the risks posed by droughts, floods, and the broader implications for water resource management. His work emphasizes the practical applications of climate information to mitigate risks in climate-sensitive sectors and improve regional resilience.

In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Chowdhury recently completed a Fulbright U.S. Scholar assignment at Maldives National University, where he made substantial contributions to the nation's climate resilience efforts. He led the development of climate science-based curricula and training programs aimed at enhancing Early Warning Systems (EWS) for climate-related disasters. His work in the Maldives included hands-on training for university faculty and government officials in sectors such as meteorology, water management, and disaster response, ensuring that the next generation of leaders is equipped to address the growing challenges of climate change.

Dr. Chowdhury’s international influence extends beyond academia. He has served as an invited resource person for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), where he led workshops focused on identifying adaptation strategies for climate-vulnerable regions. These efforts concentrated on assessing the impacts of climate change on coastal zones and developing resilience strategies, particularly in the Asia-Pacific and Caribbean regions.

His long-standing contribution to the Pacific ENSO Applications Climate Center (PEAC) at the University of Hawaii, where he served as the Principal Research Scientist from 2003 to 2020, has been particularly impactful. During his tenure, he was instrumental in developing tailored climate information products to support decision-making in U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI). These regions, including Guam, Palau, Micronesia, and American Samoa, rely heavily on climate forecasts to manage critical sectors such as water resources, agriculture, and coastal zone management. Under his guidance, PEAC played a pivotal role in mitigating the impacts of climate variability on these vulnerable island nations, strengthening their resilience against natural disasters and improving their preparedness for future climate risks.

Dr. Chowdhury’s career reflects a commitment to translating complex climate science into actionable insights that benefit society. His work in disaster preparedness, climate adaptation, and regional resilience has made a lasting impact on vulnerable communities, especially in the Pacific Islands and South Asia. As climate change continues to pose unprecedented challenges globally, his contributions to research, education, and policy are vital in the effort to build more sustainable and resilient societies.