M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award 2025

The IAHR Council has selected Professor Michele Mossa as the recipient of the prestigious 10th M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025, with the following citation: “In recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to ecohydraulics, particularly in wave-vegetation interactions, and his global leadership in advancing sustainable hydraulic engineering practices through research, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration”.

The IAHR M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award (https://www.iahr.org/index/dawards/2) is presented biennially to an IAHR member whose experimental, theoretical, or numerical research has made significant and lasting contributions to the understanding of physical phenomena and/or processes in hydraulic science or engineering, and who has demonstrated exceptional skill in graduate-level teaching and supervision.

The award recipient was officially announced during the Opening Ceremony of the 41st IAHR World Congress (https://2025.iahr.org/), held in Singapore on Monday, 23 June 2025.

STORY OF THE YALIN AWARD
This award was established in 2006 to honor the memory of Professor M. Selim Yalin (1925–2007), an Honorary Member and former Chair of the Fluvial Hydraulics Committee (1986–1991), renowned for his prolific and pioneering research in fluvial hydraulics and sediment transport, as well as for his inspirational mentorship of students and young researchers.

Rules for the Administration of the IAHR M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award

Eligibility
The IAHR M. Selim Yalin Lifetime Achievement Award (hereinafter referred to as the Award) is presented biennially, in odd-numbered years, to an IAHR member whose experimental, theoretical, or numerical research has made significant and lasting contributions to the understanding of physical phenomena and/or processes in hydraulic science or engineering. The recipient must also have demonstrated outstanding capabilities in graduate teaching and supervision.

An individual may receive the Award only once.


Nomination Process
To nominate a candidate, please download the official nomination form and submit the completed version via email to awards@iahr.org by 31 January 2025.


Selection Procedure
Award recipients are approved by the IAHR Council based on recommendations from the IAHR Awards Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Committee). Recommendations are typically made at the Committee’s meeting during the preceding even-numbered year or via email ballot in the Congress year, in order to ensure the recipient can attend the IAHR World Congress.

The Award may be withheld in any biennium if the IAHR Council deems that none of the nominees meets the required standard of excellence.


Award Announcement
The Award will be presented by the IAHR President during a formal public ceremony at the IAHR World Congress.


Award Details
The recipient will receive a certificate that outlines the purpose of the Award and details the specific contributions or areas of achievement being recognized. In addition, the recipient will receive a monetary honorarium, the terms of which will be published in the announcement of each biennial Award.

The Award fund, established by the family and friends of Professor M. Selim Yalin, also welcomes contributions from IAHR members and other friends and colleagues who wish to support the legacy of Professor Yalin.


List of Previous Awardees
9th Award (2023) – Heidi Nepf, USA
In recognition of her outstanding career in environmental fluid mechanics, contributions to the hydrodynamics of vegetated flows, and her dedication to education and knowledge dissemination.
8th Award (2021) – Íñigo J. Losada Rodríguez, Spain
For significant and enduring contributions to the understanding of physical processes in hydraulic science and engineering, with broad international impact on applied engineering and policymaking.
7th Award (2019) – Vladimir Nikora, UK
For lasting theoretical, experimental, and modeling contributions to open-channel turbulence and river hydrodynamics, pioneering the double-averaging methodology, and excellence in graduate education and academic leadership.
6th Award (2017) – Marcelo Horacio García, USA
For outstanding contributions to numerical morphodynamics, exceptional teaching, mentorship of young professionals, and impact on applied projects.
5th Award (2015) – Aronne Armanini, Italy
For enduring contributions to the theory, experimentation, and modeling of sediment and debris transport, and for excellence in teaching and academic program development in hydraulic engineering.
4th Award (2013) – Y. Shimizu, Japan
For scientific excellence, teaching, and mentorship of young professionals, as well as impactful contributions to applied hydraulic projects.
3rd Award (2011) – Ian Wood, New Zealand
For distinguished achievements in hydraulic engineering, particularly in experimental research on hydraulic structures and global graduate student supervision.
2nd Award (2009) – I. Nezu, Japan
For outstanding contributions to both fundamental hydroscience—especially pioneering work in turbulence measurement and analysis—and applied hydraulic engineering, along with dedicated mentorship.
1st Award (2007) – Gary Parker, USA
For over thirty years of groundbreaking work in sediment transport, river engineering, river morphodynamics, and submarine sedimentation processes.