A research paper led by Stony Brook University Professor Liliana M. Dávalos was recognized on Apr. 10 with a 2025 Editor’s Choice Award from the journal Environmental Research Letters.
The recognition highlights the significance of the study, which addresses the effects of extreme weather events in Amazonian countries and their impact on people and infrastructure. The award was given in the Emerging Regions Category, making it one of four winners for that year.
The study, published in December 2025, involved compiling and analyzing eleven years (2013-2023) of disaster reports from municipalities across Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. According to the research team—which included Dávalos as co-corresponding author—the paper is believed to be the first attempt to quantify weather-related disaster events reported by local governments in these countries.
The findings show that there were 12,451 weather-related disasters reported during this period in Amazonian municipalities. These disasters included storms, floods, landslides, droughts, and wildfires. The report found that millions of people were affected and that public infrastructure such as roads, schools, and health centers suffered large impacts.
Articles receiving this honor are selected by vote from the Editorial Board of Environmental Research Letters as part of its annual awards program. The journal aims to connect scientists from various fields—including economics and engineering—with members of civil society who are working to understand both natural systems and human influence on the biosphere.
