YEREVAN, Armenia — On the shores of Lake Sevan, one of Armenia’s most treasured natural resources, decades of water quality data quietly tell a story — of change, resilience, and urgent environmental questions. In 2026, that story is gaining new momentum.
The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Habet Madoyan, AUA assistant professor and B.S. in Data Science program chair has been awarded a prestigious and competitive environmental grant from the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation to enhance how Armenia analyzes and applies its water quality data.
The grant will support hands-on training and advanced water quality analysis conducted in partnership with Armenia’s Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center (ArmHydromet), the national body responsible for monitoring the country’s environmental conditions. ArmHydromet monitors nearly 40 chemical compounds across rivers feeding Lake Sevan, and systematic analysis is needed to identify which indicators are most critical for early warning of ecological stress and for guiding long-term water management. This initiative, titled “Lake Sevan Surface Water Quality Analysis and Capacity Building for Armenia’s Hydrometeorology Center,” aims to strengthen national expertise and enhance the monitoring and management of one of Armenia’s most vital freshwater resources.
Dr. Madoyan’s proposal was selected as the overall winner of the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation Environmental Grant, distinguishing itself among 106 concept notes. Following a rigorous evaluation of 37 full applications from an exceptionally competitive pool, the Foundation awarded nine projects in its third-quarter 2025 environmental grant cycle.
This innovative work marks a major milestone in advancing environmental research and sustainable water management in Armenia. Beyond recognition, the project’s ultimate goal is to equip Armenian institutions with the tools, confidence, and expertise to lead advanced, data-driven environmental monitoring for years to come.
The project is structured around hands-on, on-the-job training and innovative research initiatives. The hands-on training will be led by Dr. Vahe Movsisyan, AUA lecturer and a renowned data scientist specializing in statistical modeling and data analysis. Under his guidance, ArmHydromet specialists will participate in immersive, practical sessions, gaining direct experience analyzing water quality data, forecasting spring floods, processing climate observation series, and other activities. The training will ensure that skills are applied in real-world scenarios, building lasting national capacity.
Project Components
- Forecasting Spring Floods: Developing R-based models to predict maximum river discharges, start, duration, and end of floods, replacing Excel-based regression methods.
- Processing Climate Observation Data: Training staff to analyze precipitation, temperature, and wind data using the climatol R package, applying methods to real hydrometeorological datasets.
- Automated Air Pollution Dashboard: Integrating real-time data from two new monitoring stations, visualizing key pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO, NO2, SO2, CO) with dynamic graphs, hourly-to-annual averages, and multi-format data export.
Parallel to training, the project advances Armenia’s environmental science through applied research. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis, the team will identify key drivers of water quality variability, optimize monitoring systems, and develop automated dashboards for real-time visualization of air pollution and hydrometeorological data. These initiatives provide actionable insights to guide sustainable water and environmental management and strengthen data-driven ecological decision-making.
This award reflects the broader collaboration between AUA and the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation, united by a commitment to research excellence, institutional capacity-building, and evidence-based policymaking. By investing in people, knowledge, and analytical tools, the partnership ensures that Armenia’s environmental policies are guided by robust science, and that Lake Sevan remains a symbol of sustainability.
At a time of growing environmental uncertainty worldwide, this initiative goes beyond research. It is an investment in people, institutions, and evidence-based decision-making. It is about ensuring that Lake Sevan’s story is not only recorded but also used to guide a more resilient future for Armenia
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia is a private, independent institution affiliated with the University of California and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Through research, innovation, and strategic partnerships, AUA continues to contribute to sustainable development and evidence-based policymaking in Armenia.