Sanghamitra Sengupta: Blending Science, Storytelling, and Community to Build Flood Resilience

Growing up in West Bengal, India, Sanghamitra Sengupta was no stranger to the devastating impact of flooding. The experience of watching families and communities adapt to recurring natural disasters with limited resources left a lasting impression—and lit the spark that would guide her academic and professional journey.

Now a Ph.D. candidate in Earth Sciences at the University of Memphis, Sanghamitra is turning personal experience into powerful research, with a focus on urban flood hazards, risk communication, and resilience-building. Set to graduate in 2026, she is using science not just to inform, but to connect—and her work is already making waves.

Where Research Meets Real Life

“My research bridges science and storytelling,” Sanghamitra explains. “Using GIS, remote sensing, machine learning, and participatory methods, I co-create knowledge with communities facing flood risks. It’s about building tools that reflect resilience, shared experience, and trust.” 

One of the most rewarding examples of this work came through an educational board game she designed called Roll to Survive! Modeled after The Game of Life, the interactive activity was used with 6th graders at University Middle School as part of a Project-Based Learning experience. The goal? Make disaster preparedness accessible and engaging. “It got them thinking critically about their own readiness,” she says.

Her work isn’t limited to middle school classrooms. A recent highlight involved testing a flood risk communication tool she developed in an undergraduate environmental hazards class. “The engagement and shift in student perceptions were my ‘aha!’ moment,” she says. “It affirmed the real-world value of my dissertation work.”

A Mentor Who Makes a Difference

At the heart of Sanghamitra’s success is a strong support system—and one mentor who stands out: Dr. Arleen Hill. “Her office is where problems meet solutions,” Sanghamitra says. “Dr. Hill has shaped not only my research but also my confidence as a scholar and practitioner. I’m so grateful for her guidance.”

Celebrating Milestones

Among her many accomplishments, one of Sanghamitra’s proudest moments as a UofM student came in 2024 at the Southeastern Division of the American Association of Geographers (SEDAAG) Conference. After presenting her research, she was approached by an editor from a respected journal and invited to submit her work for publication. “It was a powerful affirmation,” she shares, crediting her advisor and the Department of Earth Sciences for their ongoing support and travel funding.

Her dedication and impact were also recognized this year when she was named one of the University of Memphis Graduate School’s Top 30 Under 35—an honor that highlights the next generation of scholars who are making meaningful contributions to their fields and communities.

Becoming a Professor

After earning her Ph.D., Sanghamitra hopes to remain in academia, blending research, teaching, and mentorship. Her dream is to become a professor who not only pushes the boundaries of science but also inspires students to think critically and compassionately about real-world challenges.

“Graduate school is tough,” she admits. “But my family’s unwavering belief in me keeps me going. Their confidence in my potential and the difference I can make gives me strength every day.”

With a heart rooted in service and a vision shaped by both science and storytelling, Sanghamitra Sengupta is a scholar to watch—and one who’s already making an impact far beyond the classroom.