The Rafael L. Bras Symposium celebrates recent advances and explores future directions in several frontiers of hydrological science where Rafael has made seminal contributions, including hydrometeorology, hydroclimatology, ecohydrology, and geomorphology. Rafael’s career of 50+ years spans the following phases: undergraduate and graduate student at MIT, Assistant Professor at University of Puerto Rico, Professor and Department Head at MIT, Distinguished Professor and Dean at University of California Irvine, and Provost and Regents Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology. Throughout his career, Rafael has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of excellence in research, education, and service. His exceptional scholarly achievements and leadership have been recognized by numerous national and international honors and awards, including for example the AGU Macelwane Medal, AGU Horton Medal, AMS Horton Lecturer, AGU Langbein Lecturer, and NASA Public Service Medal. He is an elected Fellow of AMS, AGU, ASCE, and AAAS, and an elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.  

The Symposium, to be held on Wednesday during the 2026 AMS Annual Meeting, will consist of oral sessions featuring invited speakers, poster session(s), and a lunch with opportunities for those influenced by Rafael to share their remarks. Symposium speakers will be drawn from individuals who have closely interacted with Rafael, including those who influenced or collaborated with Rafael and those who carry on Rafael’s legacy.   

Call for Papers

This symposium will include four sessions with topics that defined Rafael’s journey. 

1. Hydrology: from Random Functions to a Geophysical Science
2. Hydrology: from Geomorphology to Ecohydrology
3. Hydrology: from Land Surface Processes to Hydrometeorology and Climate
4. Hydrology: from Lumped Conceptual Models to Distributed Physical Models