Deandre Presswood isn’t your typical scientist. A Ph.D. student at the University of Nevada, Reno, he specializes in hydrology, the science of water. Presswood also uses rap music to bring awareness to the climate crisis.
His Earth Day EP blends scientific insight with lyrical rhythm. Doing this makes topics like water scarcity, infrastructure failure, and environmental injustice more relatable.
“Everything I do revolves around Earth science and trying to fight climate change and protect all communities, especially my community,” Presswood told the Black Wall Street Times.
Why hydrology matters
Hydrology is the study of how water moves, distributes and interacts with its environment. Hydrologists help manage drinking water, drought, floods, and stormwater systems.
These scientists work behind the scenes in utilities, governments, and research institutions to track water quality, model contamination, and advise on infrastructure.
Presswood says the field lacks representation which has real consequences. “I do what I do because it feels like not enough people advocate for my community, especially when it comes to water,” he said.
Water injustice
From Flint, Michigan, to Jackson, Mississippi, Black and brown communities across the U.S. have faced toxic water, aging pipes and soaring utility bills. A 2019 report by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that drinking water systems with chronic violations were 40% more likely to be located in communities with higher percentages of people of color.
“There are not really any Black hydrologists in those rooms when decisions about water quality are made,” Presswood said. “So you have people who don’t look like you and don’t care about you making decisions about the most important resource you have.”
After studying environmental science as an undergrad, Presswood worked in Colorado’s leak detection program and later earned a master’s in Atlanta, where he focused on water justice. “There’s plenty of data that shows that the price you pay on your water bill is not a reflection of your community’s water resources, but the color of the community,” he said.
Hydrologists can detect contamination and infrastructure failures early. But if they aren’t engaged with communities—or if bias shapes their decisions—problems get worse.
“We are one of the first people to notice sewage leaks or just infrastructure needing maintenance,” he said. “If you don’t care about a particular community, you might not pass that information along.”
Earth Day rap songs
That disconnect inspired Presswood to start rapping under the name HydroSciGuy. He created a three-track Earth Day album by sifting through YouTube beats and writing songs that combine scientific insight with personal urgency.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, from mentors to skeptical teens on TikTok, Presswood says.
“This group of Black kids played it, and told me they would give it an honest rating, and then they played it, and they really liked it. They said I have bars,” he said. “When I first made it, I was nervous, but then getting all the feedback from some people I really care about, I think I’m good at it and everyone’s like ‘dude, you’re a rapper now’.”
Though music is a side project, it’s a powerful tool to teach people who don’t have a background in science. “If you listen to it, you’ll definitely learn something. And that’s the start,” he said.
A Ph.D. with purpose
Presswood is on track to become the first Black Ph.D.-holding snow hydrologist in the U.S. As he finishes his degree, he’s researching how streams dry up across the country, how snowmelt impacts watersheds, and whether water quality in different communities reflects natural systems or structural racism.
“I want to look at communities’ water quality and see if that’s a reflection of the water resources or the color of the community,” he said. “I think it’s the color of the community.”
He says one of the biggest barriers to trust is the fear of tap water. “Even my family drinks bottled water. And it’s because we have this systemic distrust of facilities and utilities and it’s unfortunate because it’s costing us not only financially but there’s micro plastics in the water bottles too.”
As a snow hydrologist, he’s contributing to crucial climate data. Snowpack is a primary freshwater source in the West, and tracking how it melts is vital for drought and water planning.
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