HydroLAB

Christopher Gilberti presenting his research at DICEA, University of Naples Federico II

From New York State to Naples: HydroLAB Welcomes Fulbright Meteorologist Christopher Gilberti

30 October 2026 By Salvatore Manfreda Off

HydroLAB is delighted to welcome Christopher Gilberti, meteorologist and Fulbright grantee, who will be with us at DICEA – University of Naples Federico II until June 2027.

From New York State to Naples

Christopher’s background is in atmospheric sciences. His master’s thesis focused on the heavy rainfall that drives floods in the mountain catchments supplying New York City, the reservoirs serving almost nine million people. His interest in extreme weather started early, watching the storms that marked his childhood, from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 to the great New York snowstorms.

On 21 October Christopher presented his work to the young researchers of the Department, opening the collaboration with the group.

What we will work on together

In Naples we will study the atmospheric patterns behind the most extreme floods in Southern Italy. The aim is to catalogue these extraordinary hydrological and climatic events, reconstruct their origin and assess their hazard, even where historical observations are scarce. Southern Italy is shaped by the closeness of the sea and by relief that can amplify rainfall intensity and runoff, which makes it an ideal testbed for linking meteorology and hydrology. The work builds on the group’s research on rainfall extremes and on rainfall-runoff modelling with the DREAM model.

This is the kind of meteorology–hydrology bridge that makes our team stronger. HydroLAB is now twelve people, 60% of them from abroad, and many of its activities are supported by research agreements with Regione Campania and the Southern Apennines River Basin District Authority.

Thanks to Ateneapoli for telling Christopher’s story in its 30 October 2026 issue (no. 18, p. 10). Welcome, Christopher!

Related publications

  • Avino, A., Cimorelli, L., Furcolo, P., Noto, V., Pelosi, A., Pianese, D., Villani, P., & Manfreda, S. (2024). Are rainfall extremes intensifying in Southern Italy? Journal of Hydrology, 631, 130684. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.130684
  • Avino, A., Manfreda, S., Cimorelli, L., & Pianese, D. (2021). Trend of annual maximum rainfall in Campania Region (Southern Italy). Hydrological Processes. doi:10.1002/hyp.14447
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About the author

He is Full Professor of Hydrology and Hydraulic Constructions at the University of Naples Federico II. He is currently chair of the IAHS MOXXI working group. His research primarily centers on hydrological modeling and monitoring. Recognizing the challenges posed by the complexity and limitations of traditional hydrological observations, he actively explores advanced and alternative monitoring techniques, such as the utilization of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) coupled with image processing.