Rosa Lab

Our research group addresses one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century: Ensuring global water, energy, and food security while enhancing resilience and self-sufficiency in resource use. We focus on the critical role of water in sustaining agricultural production and supporting efficient energy and food systems, exploring the complex trade-offs between water availability, energy demands, and food security. 

We develop process-based models and data-driven approaches to assess global agricultural water scarcity, evaluate irrigation sustainability, and identify pathways to expand irrigation without depleting environmental flows or groundwater. By integrating hydrology, engineering, and sustainable resource management, our research optimizes water use to strengthen food security, enhance agricultural resilience, and promote self-sufficiency in resource-constrained regions.

Beyond sustainable irrigation, we investigate strategies to improve resource efficiency in agriculture, including net-zero emissions irrigation, nutrient recovery from waste biomass, and carbon-conscious farming practices. A key focus of our work is revolutionizing fertilizer production through decentralized, renewable-powered ammonia synthesis. By assessing the feasibility, scalability, and sustainability of distributed ammonia production, we aim to enhance agricultural resilience, reduce dependency on centralized supply chains, and support self-sufficient farming systems.

Through our interdisciplinary approach, we provide critical insights that inform sustainable water management, optimize resource use, and support long-term security in water, energy, and food systems.

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​Key research questions are:​

• How can we ensure sustainable water, energy, and food security?

• What are the main drivers of agricultural water scarcity, and how can we enhance resilience in water-limited regions?

• How do changes in water and energy availability impact agricultural productivity, infrastructure, and economic stability, and what risks do they pose to food and energy security?

• What strategies can improve the adaptability and self-sufficiency of agricultural systems while maintaining resource efficiency?

• How can we reduce emissions from agriculture through sustainable water management, energy-efficient irrigation, and low-carbon fertilizer production?

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