Fayera Gizawu | Remote Sensing | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Fayera Gizawu | Remote Sensing | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer at Wollega University, Ethiopia

Fayera Gizawu Garbaba is a dedicated lecturer at Wallaga University, specializing in Geo-information Science with expertise in GIS and Remote Sensing. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geo-information Science and a Master’s degree in GIS and Remote Sensing. Garbaba’s work primarily focuses on leveraging geospatial technologies to address a variety of environmental and agricultural challenges in Ethiopia. His research spans areas such as agricultural drought, land-use planning, climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and the management of mining-related environmental concerns.

Profile:

Scopus

Education:

Fayera Gizawu Garbaba completed his academic journey in the field of Geo-information Science. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Geo-information Science and went on to complete a Master’s degree in GIS and Remote Sensing. His strong academic foundation and technical expertise have shaped his research interests and professional engagements, making him a significant contributor to his field. His education has been integral in developing his skills in geospatial analysis and environmental mapping, which he applies to various real-world challenges in Ethiopia.

Experience:

Fayera has built a solid foundation in his career as a lecturer at Wallaga University. He teaches various subjects related to earth sciences, GIS, and remote sensing, imparting knowledge to undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, Garbaba is well-versed in utilizing advanced geospatial software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, ERDAS Imagine, and STATA for image processing and spatial data analysis. His experience extends to practical applications, such as groundwater potential assessment, mapping, and analyzing agricultural suitability using geospatial technologies. Garbaba’s technical skills and teaching capabilities have positioned him as an important figure in the academic and professional domains.

Research Interests:

Fayera Gizawu Garbaba’s research interests are broad, focusing on the application of geo-spatial technologies in addressing key environmental and agricultural issues. His areas of research include agricultural drought, land-use planning, and the mitigation of climate change impacts. Garbaba is particularly interested in the role of geospatial tools in enhancing biodiversity conservation, soil and water conservation, and managing mining-related environmental challenges. His work also extends to assessing forest cover and its relationship with drought in semi-arid regions. These research areas reflect his commitment to applying modern technological solutions to pressing environmental concerns in Ethiopia and beyond.

Awards:

Fayera Gizawu Garbaba’s contributions to the field of geospatial sciences have not gone unnoticed. His work in applying GIS and remote sensing to environmental and agricultural challenges has earned him recognition within his institution and the broader academic community. In 2025, Garbaba was nominated for the prestigious award at Wallaga University, which acknowledges outstanding faculty members for their research excellence and teaching contributions. This nomination reflects his ongoing commitment to advancing the field and his significant impact on both the academic community and the application of geospatial technologies in solving real-world problems.

Publications:

  1. Wolteji, B. N., & Garbaba, F. G. (2023). A Geo-spatial assessment of drought impacts on forest cover in Yabello forest, in the semi-arid region of Ethiopia. SN Applied Sciences, 5(5), 148.

  2. Garbaba, F. G., & Wolteji, B. N. (2024). Application of geospatial technology on land suitability analysis for wheat and maize farming: A case of Guder sub-watershed, NorthWest Oromia, Ethiopia. Heliyon, 10(13).

These publications reflect Garbaba’s contribution to advancing research on geospatial technology and its application in environmental and agricultural management, specifically within the Ethiopian context.

Conclusion:

Fayera Gizawu Garbaba is an accomplished academic and researcher whose work in Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing has significantly impacted the fields of environmental science and agriculture. Through his teaching and research, he has applied geospatial technologies to address critical challenges in Ethiopia, including climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable agricultural practices. His technical expertise, combined with a strong academic foundation, positions him as a key figure in the integration of geospatial tools into environmental management and decision-making processes. As he continues to advance his research, Garbaba is poised to make even more contributions to the field, further enhancing the application of geospatial technologies to solve pressing environmental issues.

Afshin Amiri | Remote Sensing | Academic Brilliance Star Award

Mr . Afshin Amiri | Remote Sensing | Academic Brilliance Star Award 

Ph.D. student , Laval University , Canada

Afshin Amiri is an accomplished researcher specializing in remote sensing, GIS, and natural hazards. Born on August 30, 1991, he has developed a solid academic foundation and expertise in various areas, including agriculture, land use/land cover change detection, and water resources. Afshin’s research leverages advanced techniques such as radar interferometry and cloud computing to address pressing environmental challenges. His work has been recognized through publications in prestigious journals and ongoing contributions to the scientific community.

Profile

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award

  1. Diverse Expertise: Afshin Amiri’s research encompasses a wide range of critical topics within remote sensing and GIS, including flood susceptibility mapping, drought forecasting, and land cover change detection. This diversity showcases a deep understanding of the field and the ability to apply knowledge to various environmental challenges.
  2. Published Works: Afshin has authored several high-impact journal papers, demonstrating his ability to conduct rigorous research and contribute valuable insights to the scientific community. His publications in reputable journals like Journal of Hydrology and Science of The Total Environment indicate a strong research portfolio.
  3. Innovative Approaches: The use of advanced machine learning techniques and integration with remote sensing in his work shows a commitment to innovative and cutting-edge research. This is evident in his novel approaches to flood susceptibility mapping and drought zone forecasting.
  4. Ongoing Research: Afshin is actively involved in multiple research projects under review in prominent journals, indicating a continuous contribution to the field. His work on forest fires, soil erosion, and climate-driven water level estimation further underscores his commitment to addressing pressing environmental issues.
  5. Technical Proficiency: Afshin’s extensive skills in scientific software, satellite imagery processing, and cloud computing platforms like Google Earth Engine highlight his technical prowess, essential for modern environmental research.

Areas of Improvement 

  • Educational Background: While Afshin has solid academic credentials, improving his academic scores could have strengthened his profile. Enhancing this aspect, possibly through further education or certifications, could make his candidacy even more robust.
  • Independent Research: Many of Afshin’s published works are collaborative. While collaboration is essential, more independent research or leading-author publications could further demonstrate his leadership and expertise in the field.

Broader Impact: While Afshin’s research is impactful within the scientific community, emphasizing the broader societal or policy implications of his work could enhance his profile. This might include engagement in public outreach or contributions to policy-making in environmental management.

Education 

Afshin Amiri holds a BSc in Rangeland and Watershed Management from Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran, completed in 2013 with a GPA of 15.13/20. He furthered his education with an MSc in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System from the University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, in 2019, where he achieved a GPA of 16.5/20. His master’s thesis focused on identifying and characterizing active tectonics of the Dehshir fault using remote sensing data, earning a score of 18.5/20.

Experience 

Afshin Amiri has extensive experience in remote sensing and GIS, focusing on environmental monitoring and natural hazard assessment. His expertise includes radar interferometry, flood susceptibility mapping, and agricultural land management. Afshin’s research applies innovative tools such as machine learning and cloud computing (Google Earth Engine) to integrate various data sources and provide actionable insights for sustainable development and disaster risk reduction.

Research Interests 

Afshin Amiri’s research interests encompass a wide range of topics within remote sensing and GIS. He is particularly focused on:

  • Remote Sensing 📡
  • Agriculture 🌾
  • Geographic Information System 🗺️
  • Land Use/Land Cover Change Detection 🌍
  • Water Resources 💧
  • Cloud Computing (Google Earth Engine) ☁️
  • Natural Hazards 🌪️
  • Radar Interferometry (band C and L) 📶
  • Forest Monitoring 🌳
  • Flood Susceptibility Mapping 🌊

Awards 

Afshin Amiri’s contributions to the field have been recognized through various nominations and accolades, reflecting his commitment to advancing remote sensing and GIS applications. He continues to push the boundaries of research, with ongoing efforts being recognized by the academic community.

Publications 

Afshin Amiri has published several significant papers in renowned journals, showcasing his contributions to the field:

  • A Novel Machine Learning Tool for Current and Future Flood Susceptibility Mapping by Integrating Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (2024). Journal of Hydrology. Link. Cited by: 0 articles.
  • Advanced Forecasting of Drought Zones in Canada Using Deep Learning and CMIP6 Projections (2024). Climate. Link. Cited by: 0 articles.
  • Forecasting Monthly Fluctuations of Lake Surface Areas Using Remote Sensing Techniques and Novel Machine Learning Methods (2021). Theoretical and Applied Climatology. Link. Cited by: 20 articles.
  • Mapping the Spatial and Temporal Variability of Flood Susceptibility Using Remotely Sensed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and the Forecasted Changes in the Future (2021). Science of The Total Environment. Link. Cited by: 15 articles.
  • Prognostication of Shortwave Radiation Using an Improved No-Tuned Fast Machine Learning (2021). Sustainability. Link. Cited by: 10 articles.

         Lake Surface Area Forecasting Using Integrated Satellite-SARIMA-Long-Short-Term Memory Model (2021). Link. Cited by: 5 articles.

Conclusion

Afshin Amiri is a strong candidate for the Research for Academic Brilliance Star Award due to his diverse research portfolio, innovative methodologies, and technical expertise. His contributions to remote sensing and GIS, especially in flood mapping and environmental monitoring, are notable and impactful. While there are areas for potential growth, particularly in independent research and broader impact, his ongoing work and commitment to advancing the field make him a deserving contender for the award.