AKANDA LAB

Current Students
Lucy Kamau, MS
Mohammed Alotaibi, PhD
Wulan Retno Septiani, PhD

Alumni
Farah Nusrat, PhD 2023 / MS 2018, currently a postdoctoral fellow at Utah State University, dissertation / thesis
Albert Larson, PhD 2023, currently a research associate at Brown University, dissertation
Hanan Bankhah, currently at the University of Rhode Island
Darya Shahidi, MS 2022, currently at Penn State University, thesis
Cameron Murray, MS 2022, currently at the Solv LLC, thesis
Lukas Siemon, MS 2020, currently at Technische Universität Braunschweig, thesis
Farah Nusrat, MS 2018, currently a PhD candidate at the University of Rhode Island, thesis
Othman Fallatah, PhD 2018, currently at King Abduaziz University, dissertation
Mohammed Alfi Hasan 2018, PhD, currently at Walmart Global Tech, dissertation
Fabian Wagner, MS 2017, currently at Verband Spedition und Logistik, thesis
Emily Serman, MS 2017, currently at the University of South California, thesis

Published

2024

Pakhtigian, E.L.; Aziz, S.; Boyle, K.J.; Akanda, A.S.; Hanifi, S.M.A.; Early warning systems, mobile technology, and cholera aversion: Evidence from rural Bangladesh. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 125, 102966. https://www.rff.org/documents/3609/WP_22-24_4bJpSRy.pdf

Palash, W.; Akanda, A.S.; Islam, S. A data-driven global flood forecasting system for medium to large rivers. Scientific Reports, 14, 8979. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-59145-w

2023

Broyles, L.M.T.; Pakhtigian, E.L.; Aziz, S.; Akanda, A.S.; Mejia, A. Seasonal variation in household water insecurity in rural Bangladesh: A longitudinal analysis. PLOS Water, 2, 7. https://journals.plos.org/water/article?id=10.1371/journal.pwat.0000157

Larson, A.E; Hendawi, A.; Boving, T.; Pradhanang, S.M.; Akanda, A.S. Discerning Watershed Response to Hydroclimatic Extremes with a Deep Convolutional Residual Regressive Neural Network. Hydrology, 10, 116. https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/10/6/116

2022

Murray, C.; Larson, A.E; Goodwill, J.; Wang, Y.; Cardace, D.; Akanda, A.S. Water Quality Observations from Space: A Review of Critical Issues and Challenges. Environments 2022, 9, 125. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3298/9/10/125

Wagner, F., Nusrat, F., Thiem, L. and Akanda, A.S., 2022. Assessment of Urban Water-Energy Interactions and Heat Island Signatures in Rhode Island. Energy Nexus, p.100093. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2022.100093

Larson, A.E, 2022. A clearer view of Earth’s water cycle via neural networks and satellite data. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, pp.1-1. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-022-00303-x

Nusrat, F., Haque, M., Rollend, D., Christie, G., & Akanda, A. S. 2022. A High-Resolution Earth Observations and Machine Learning-Based Approach to Forecast Waterborne Disease Risk in Post-Disaster Settings. Climate, 10(4), 48. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli10040048

2021

Hossain, F., Hoque, B.A., Ahmed, T., Khanam, S., Biswas, N.K., Akanda, A.S., Khan, M.S.K., and Katagami, M. 2021. Impact Evaluation of an Operational Satellite-based Integrated Rice Advisory System in Northeastern Bangladesh, International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management. Vol. 8. Accepted. Dec 2021. https://doi.org/10.46882/IJIWM/1157

Aziz, S., Pakhtigian, E.L., Akanda, A.S., Jutla, A., Huq, A., Alam, M., Ashan, G.U. and Colwell, R.R., 2021. Does improved risk information increase the value of cholera prevention? An analysis of stated vaccine demand in slum areas of urban Bangladesh. Social Science & Medicine, 272, p.113716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113716

2020

Akanda A.S., Johnson K., Ginsberg H., 2020. Prioritizing Water Security in the Management of Vector Borne Diseases: Lessons from Oaxaca Mexico. Geohealth, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GH000201

Daisy, S.S., Islam, AKMS, Akanda, A.S., Faruque A.S.G, Amin, N., Jensen, P.K.M., 2020. Developing a forecasting model for cholera incidence in Dhaka megacity through time series climate data. J Water Health jwh2020133. https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2020.133

Puggioni, G., Couret, J., Serman, E., Akanda, A.S., Ginsberg, H., 2020. Spatiotemporal Modeling of Dengue Fever Risk in Puerto Rico. Spatial and Spatiotemporal Epidemiology. Volume 35, November 2020, 100375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sste.2020.100375

Palash, W., Akanda, A.S., and Islam, S. 2020. The 2017 Floods in South Asia: State of Prediction and Performance of a Requisitely Simple Model. Journal of Hydrology, 589, 125190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2020.125190

Deshpande et al. 2020b (Local Burden of Disease 2019 Neglected Tropical Diseases Collaborators). The global distribution of lymphatic filariasis, 2000–18: a geospatial analysis. Lancet Global Health. Volume 8, Issue 9, September 2020, Pages e1186-e1194. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30286-2

Deshpande et al. 2020a (Local Burden of Disease WaSH Collaborators). Mapping geographical inequalities in access to drinking water and sanitation facilities in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17. Lancet Global Health. Volume 8, Issue 9, Pages e1162-e1185. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30278-3

Reiner et al. 2020 (Local Burden of Disease Diarrhoea Collaborators). Mapping geographical inequalities in childhood diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17. Lancet. Volume 395, Issue 10239, Pages 1779- 1801. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30114-8

2019

Fallatah, O.A., Ahmed, M., Boving, T., Cardace, D., and Akanda, A.S., 2019. Assessment of Modern Recharge to Arid Region Aquifers Using an Integrated Geophysical, Geochemical, and Remote Sensing Approach. Journal of Hydrology, 569, 600-611. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.09.061

Khan, R., Aldaach, H., McDonald, C., Alan, M., Huq, A., Gao, Y., Akanda, A.S., Colwell, R, and Jutla A., 2018. Exploratory analysis associating satellite derived land surface temperature to estimate cholera risk. Intl Journal of Remote Sensing, VOL. 40, NO. 13, 4898–4909.

Khan, R., Usmani, M., Akanda, A.S., Palash, W., Gao, Y., Huq, A., Colwell, R, and Jutla A., 2018. Long range river discharge forecasting using the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE). ASCE - Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 145(7): 06019005.

2018

GBD 2017 SDG Collaborators, 2018. Measuring progress and projecting attainment to 2030 of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet, 392: 2091–138.

GBD 2017 Mortality Collaborators, 2018. Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific mortality and life expectancy, 1950–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet, 392: 1684–735.

GBD 2017 Population and Fertility Collaborators, 2018. Population and fertility by age and sex for 195 countries and territories, 1950–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet, 392: 1995–2051.

Akanda, A.S. and Johnson, K. 2018. Growing Water Insecurity and Dengue Burden in the Americas. The Lancet Planetary Health, 2, pp. e190-e191, doi:10.1016/S2542- 5196(18)30063-9.

Akanda, A.S., S. Aziz, A. Jutla, A. Huq, M. Alam, G. U. Ahsan, and R. Colwell 2018. Satellites and cell phones form a cholera early-warning system, EOS, 99, doi:10.1029/2018EO094839.

Hasan, M.A., Moew, C., Jutla, A., and Akanda, A.S. 2018. Quantification of Rotavirus Diarrheal Risk Due to Hydroclimatic Extremes Over South Asia: Prospects of Satellite-Based Observations in Detecting Outbreaks. Geohealth, doi:10.1002/2017GH000101. [new AGU journal – no IF published yet]

Palash, W., Jiang, Y., Akanda, A.S., Small, D., Nozari, A. and Islam, S. 2018. A Streamflow and Water Level Forecasting Model for the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers with Requisite Simplicity. Journal of Hydrometeorology, Vol, 19, 201-225, DOI: 10.1175/JHM-D- 16-0202.1.

2017

Hasan, M.A., Islam, A.K.M.S. and Akanda, A.S. 2017. Climatic extremes from dynamically downscaled CMIP5 models over Bengal Delta under RCP scenarios: An advanced bias- correction approach with new gridded data. Climate Dynamics, doi:10.1007/s00382-017- 4006-1

Khan, R., Anwar, R., Akanda, A.S., McDonald, M.D., Huq, A., Jutla, A., and Colwell, R.R. 2017. Assessment of Risk of Cholera in Haiti following Hurricane Matthew. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 97(3). doi:10.4269/ajtmh.17-0048

Fallatah, O.A., Ahmed, M., Save, H. and Akanda, A.S., 2017. Quantifying Temporal Variations in a Vulnerable Middle Eastern Transboundary Aquifer System. Hydrological Processes. 1-11. DOI: 10.1002/hyp.11285.

GBD 2016 Mortality Collaborators, 2017. Global, regional, and national under-5 mortality, adult mortality, age-specific mortality, and life expectancy, 1970–2016: a systematic analysis for GBD Study 2016. The Lancet, 390: 1084–1150.

Charara, R. et al. 2017. The Burden of Mental Disorders in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 1990-2013. PLoS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169575.

2016

Nasr, F.A., Khan, R., Unnikrishnan, A., Akanda, A.S., Alam, M., Huq, A., Jutla, A., and Colwell, R.R. 2016. Hydroclimatic sustainability assessment of changing climate on cholera in the Ganges-Brahmaputra basin. Adv Water Res. 108, 332-344. [IF: 2.8]

GBD 2015 Mortality and Causes of Death Collaborators, 2016. Global, regional, and national life expectancy, all-cause mortality, and cause-specific mortality for 249 causes of death, 1980–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. The Lancet, 388(10053): 1459–544. [IF: 53]

Khalil, I., et al. 2016. Burden of Diarrhea in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 1990–2013: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 16-0339. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.16-0339. [IF: 2.55]

Hossain, F., Serrat-Capdevila A., Granger S., Crosson, W., Akanda A.S., et al. 2016. A Global Capacity Building Vision for Societal Applications of Earth Observing Systems and Data. Bull Am Met Soc. doi:10.1175/BAMS-D-15-00198.1

2015 SDG Collaborators, 2016. Measuring the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in 188 countries: a baseline analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. The Lancet, 388(10053): 1813–1850.

Mokdad, A.H., et al. 2016. Health in times of uncertainty in the eastern Mediterranean region, 1990–2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet Global Health, 4(10). doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(16)30168-1.

2015

Jutla, A.S., Unnikrishnan, A., Akanda, A.S., Huq, H., and Colwell, R.R. 2015. Predictive time series analysis linking Bengal cholera with terrestrial water storage measured from GRACE sensors. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 14-0648.

Jutla, A.S., Aldaach, H., Billian, H., Akanda, A.S., Huq, A., and Colwell, R.R. 2015. Satellite based assessment of hydroclimatic conditions related to cholera in Zimbabwe. PLOS-One, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137828

Nasr, F.A., Unnikrishnan, A., Akanda, A.S., Alam, M., Huq, A., Jutla, A.S., Colwell, R.R. 2015. A framework for downscaling river discharge to access impacts of climate change on endemic cholera in the Bengal Delta. Climate Research, doi: 10.3354/cr01310; 64: 257-274.

2014 and earlier

Akanda, A.S., Jutla, A.S., and Colwell, R.R. 2014. Global Diarrhoeal Action Plan needs Integrated Climate-based Surveillance. Lancet Global Health, 2(2): 69- 70.

Akanda A.S., Jutla A.S., Gute D.M., Sack B.R., Alam M., Huq A., Colwell R.R., Islam S. 2013. Population Vulnerability to Biannual Cholera Peaks and Associated Macro-Scale Drivers in the Bengal Delta. Am J Trop Med Hyg, 89(5), pp. 950–959.

Jutla, A.S., Whitcombe, E., Hasan, N., Haley, B., Akanda, A.S, Huq, A., Alam, M., Sack, D. and Colwell, R.R., 2013. Environmental Factors Influencing Epidemic Cholera. Am J Trop Med Hyg 89(3).

Jutla A.S., Akanda A.S., Islam S. 2013. A framework for predicting endemic cholera using satellite derived environmental determinants. Env Modeling & Software, 47: 148-158.

Jutla A.S., Akanda A.S., Huq A., Colwell R.R., Islam S. 2013. A water marker monitored by satellites for predicting endemic cholera. RS Letters, 4(8): 822-831

Akanda, A.S. 2012. South Asia’s Water Conundrum: Hydroclimatic and Geopolitical Asymmetry, and Brewing Conflicts in the Eastern Himalayas. Intl J River Basin Management, 10(4): 307-315.

Akanda, A.S. and Hossain, F. 2012. The Climate-Water-Health Nexus in Emerging Megacities. EOS Transactions, 93(37): 353-354.

Jutla, A.S., Akanda, A.S. and Islam, S. 2012. Satellite Remote Sensing of Space-Time Plankton Variability in the Bay of Bengal: Connections to Cholera Outbreaks. Remote Sensing of Environment, 123: 196-206.

Akanda, A.S., Jutla, A.S., Gute, D.M., Evans, T. and Islam, S. 2012. Reinforcing Cholera Intervention through Prediction aided Prevention. Bull World Health Organ, 90: 243-244.

Alam, M., Islam, A., Akanda, A.S., et al. 2011. Clonal transmission, dual peak, and off-season cholera in Bangladesh. Infection Ecology and Epidemiology, 1: 7273.

Akanda, A.S., Jutla, A.S., Constantin de Magny, G.C., Alam, M., Siddique, A.K., Sack, R.B., Huq, A., Colwell, R.R. and Islam, S. 2011. Hydroclimatic Influences on Seasonal and Spatial Cholera Transmission Cycles: Implications for Public Health Intervention in the Bengal Delta. Water Resources Research, 47, W00H07.

Jutla, A.S., Akanda, A.S., Griffiths, J., Colwell, R.R. and Islam, S. 2011. Warming oceans, phytoplankton, and river discharge: Implications for cholera outbreaks. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Vol. 85, No. 2.

Jutla, A.S., Akanda, A.S. and Islam, S. 2010. Tracking Cholera in Coastal Regions using Satellite Observations. Journal of American Water Resources Association, 46(4): 651-662.

Akanda, A.S., Jutla, A.S. and Islam, S. 2009. Dual peak cholera transmission in Bengal Delta: A hydroclimatological explanation. Geophy Res Lett, 36, L19401.

Peer-Reviewed Book Chapters

Jiang, Y., Akanda, A.S., Small, D.L., Palash, W., Islam, S. 2016. A Simple Streamflow Forecasting Scheme for the Ganges Basin. Flood Forecasting. Elsevier Inc. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-801884- 2.00015-3

Crosson, W., Akanda, A.S., Estes, S., Haynes, J., et al. 2016. Use of Remotely Sensed Climate and Environmental Information for Air Quality and Public Health Applications. Earth Science Satellite Applications: Current Future Prospects. Springer Remote Sensing/Photogrammetry.

Akanda, A.S., A.S. Jutla, and S. Islam, 2013. Hydroclimatology and Large-Scale Population Vulnerability to Cholera Outbreaks in the Bengal Delta. Climate Vulnerability: Understanding and Addressing Threats to Essential Resources. Elsevier Inc., Academic Press, 347–356 pp.

Islam, S., Gao, Y. and Akanda, A.S. 2010. Water 2100: A synthesis of natural and societal domains to create actionable knowledge through AquaPedia and water diplomacy. Pp 193-197; in Khan, S. et al., Hydrocomplexity: New Tools for solving wicked water problems, IAHS 338.