Interview with El Dia’s Photo Contest Winner Nabin Kalauni
Nabin Kalauni is a first year MS Hydrology student in Dr. Andrew Bennett’s research group. Nabin received his BS degree in Civil Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering, Lalitpur, Nepal. Nabin’s research interests are land surface modeling, machine learning and differentiable programming.
Interviewer: Can you share a bit about your interests and the story behind your winning photo in the recent contest? I love nature, which likely inspired my research in land surface modeling. The photo was taken at Torrey Pines in San Diego, capturing my friend immersed in the sunset. It reflects my experi ence as a Hydro and Atmospheric Science student, studying the interaction of land, water, and clouds.
Interviewer: Could you tell us about your experience working in our department and perhaps shed some light on your hobbies outside of academia?
Working in Dr. Bennett’s group has been amazing—his guidance aligns perfectly with my interests. My first year had its challenges, but they’ve been valuable learning experiences. Outside research, I enjoy traveling, hiking, chess, and photography as a way to capture the beauty of the world.
Interviewer: Winning the photo contest must have been quite an achievement. How do you feel about this accomplishment, and would you like to share a few words with the department? It’s an honor to have my photo recognized. It represents what we study—land, water, and atmosphere in constant interaction. I’m grateful to be part of such a strong, collaborative department and look forward to continuing my journey here.