Dr. Lakhankar has led research projects supporting NOAA and NASA satellite missions focused on water prediction and ecosystem services. He has shown strong leadership in designing and managing field campaigns such as the Snow-SAFE site in Caribou, ME, the CUNY-SMART Soil Moisture Campaign in Millbrook, NY, and the NYC-Urban HydroMet Testbed, which installed 21 weather stations across NYC in schools and public spaces. These efforts enhanced weather prediction accuracy, generated valuable data, and promoted environmental awareness. He has mentored students, organized conferences, and led grant initiatives. His contributions earned him the S.T.A.R. Award (2022) and Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award (2024) at City College of New York.