Houser is an expert in local to global land surface-atmospheric remote sensing, in-situ observation and numerical simulation, development and application of data assimilation methods, and global water and energy cycling.

Houser in an internationally recognized expert in hydrology and water resources, climate dynamics and prediction, community of practice development, decision support tool design, scientific integrity and capacity building. He received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Hydrology and Water Resources from the University of Arizona in 1992 and 1996 respectively. Dr. Houser joined the NASA-GSFC Hydrological Sciences Branch and the Data Assimilation Office (DAO/GMAO) in 1997, and served as branch head of the Hydrological Science Branch from 2000-2005. In 2005, he joined the George Mason University Climate Dynamics Program and the Geography and Geoinformation Sciences Department as Professor of Global Hydrology, and formed the Center for Research for Environment and Water with the mission to quantify and predict water cycle and environmental consequences of earth system variability and change through focused research investments in observation, modeling and application. Starting in 2008, Dr. Houser teamed with groundwater development and exploration companies to solve fresh water shortages, where he is responsible for providing satellite- and model-based estimates of water availability. In 2011, Dr. Houser advised the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on scientific integrity, peer review, and data stewardship policies, as well as coordinating Reclamation activities with other agencies and the broad scientific community. Dr. Houser’s current work focuses on integrating water and climate research across traditional disciplines in an end-to-end program that transitions theoretical research to academic/public education and real-world application, through partnerships with universities, governments, and international agencies.