Supria Paul | Water Resources | Best Researcher Award

Mrs Supria Paul | Water Resources | Best Researcher Award

Mrs Supria Paul , University of Rhode Island , United States

Supria Paul is a seasoned Engineer III with over a decade of expertise in hydraulic and hydrologic modeling, specializing in stormwater management and drainage systems. She adeptly utilizes advanced computational programs such as HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, and SWAT, coupled with geospatial tools like ArcGIS and QGIS. Her extensive project portfolio includes significant contributions to stormwater master plans, drainage improvements, and sewer system upgrades. Supria’s work spans across the United States and internationally, including Rhode Island, Missouri, and Bangladesh. Her role as a researcher has led her to engage in high-impact projects funded by entities such as the Asian Development Bank and the EU. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in Environmental and Life Sciences at the University of Rhode Island, further solidifying her expertise in the field.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award

  1. Extensive Experience and Expertise:
    • Over 12 years of experience in hydraulic and hydrologic modeling, including work on stormwater management and drainage systems.
    • Proficiency with a wide range of computational tools and models (e.g., HEC-RAS, SWAT, SewerGEMS, etc.), demonstrating a deep understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of water resources engineering.
  2. Diverse Project Experience:
    • Contributed to significant projects across various regions and contexts, such as the Centerville Village Water Main Improvement Project, the City of Rock Hill Stormwater Master Plan, and climate impact studies in Bangladesh.
    • Experience with complex modeling tasks and collaboration with cross-functional teams shows versatility and an ability to handle diverse challenges.
  3. Research and Publications:
    • Author of multiple peer-reviewed publications in reputable journals, addressing topics such as climate change impacts, flood hazard assessment, and hydrological modeling.
    • Contributions to research projects funded by notable organizations like the EU, ADB, and USDA, indicating high-quality research and significant contributions to the field.
  4. Academic Background and Continuing Education:
    • Ph.D. candidate in Environmental and Life Sciences, with prior degrees in Water Resources Engineering, showcasing a strong academic foundation.
    • Ongoing commitment to professional development through relevant courses and training.
  5. Technical Skills and Innovation:
    • Demonstrated ability in applying advanced modeling techniques and integrating geospatial tools to solve real-world problems.
    • Involvement in developing innovative solutions and models for hydrological and climate impact assessments.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Broader Impact and Dissemination:
    • While Supria has a strong publication record, focusing on broader dissemination and outreach could enhance the impact of her research. Engaging in more interdisciplinary collaborations and public communication could broaden her research’s influence.
  2. Leadership and Mentoring:
    • Increasing visibility in leadership roles or mentoring positions could further showcase her expertise and contribute to the development of future professionals in the field.
  3. Diversity of Research Topics:
    • Expanding research to include emerging areas or new methodologies could enhance her profile. For instance, incorporating aspects of machine learning or AI in hydrology could be a potential area of growth.

Education 

Supria Paul is pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental and Life Sciences at the University of Rhode Island, expected to finish in 2024. She holds a Master’s degree in Water Resources Development from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka, completed in 2014. Supria also earned her Bachelor’s degree in Water Resources Engineering from the same institution in 2011. Her educational background provides a strong foundation in water resources engineering, hydrology, and environmental science, supporting her extensive practical experience in hydraulic and hydrologic modeling. This rigorous academic preparation has equipped her with the skills to undertake complex research and contribute to significant projects in stormwater management and climate impact assessment.

Experience

Supria Paul brings over 12 years of experience in hydraulic and hydrologic modeling, with a focus on stormwater and drainage systems. As an Engineer III at Lochmueller, she has led critical projects including water main improvements, sewer system enhancements, and stormwater master planning. Her work involves using advanced software like HEC-RAS, SewerGEMS, and SWMM for system analysis, design, and optimization. Supria has also contributed to research projects on climate impact and flood hazard assessment, applying models like SWAT and Delft3D. Her previous roles include significant research in Bangladesh, addressing climate change impacts and wastewater management. Her diverse experience highlights her capability in both practical engineering and research, making her a valuable asset to the field of water resources management.

Research Focus 

Supria Paul’s research focus lies in hydraulic and hydrologic modeling with a strong emphasis on climate change impacts, stormwater management, and flood risk assessment. Her work integrates advanced computational models, such as SWAT and HEC-RAS, with geospatial tools to analyze and improve water management systems. She has extensively studied the effects of climate variability on water resources, contributing to projects funded by international organizations like the Asian Development Bank and the EU. Her research includes developing predictive models for reservoir elevation and flood hazards, as well as assessing the resilience of urban water systems to extreme weather events. Supria’s work is instrumental in advancing our understanding of hydrological processes and enhancing the effectiveness of stormwater and drainage infrastructure.

Publications

  • Impact of land cover changes on land surface temperature and human thermal comfort in Dhaka city of Bangladesh 🌆
  • Flood hazard, vulnerability and risk assessment for different land use classes using a flow model 🌊
  • Hydrological response to climate change of the Brahmaputra basin using CMIP5 general circulation model ensemble 🌧️
  • A review of good adaptation practices on climate change in Bangladesh 📚
  • Assessment of nitrogen inputs into hunt river by onsite wastewater treatment systems via SWAT simulation 🌾
  • Evapotranspiration and vegetation cover classifications maps based on cloud computing at the Arab countries scale ☁️
  • Impact of climate change on river flows in the southwest region of Bangladesh 🏞️
  • A Comparative Analysis of CMIP3 and CMIP5 Climate Projections over Bangladesh 🔍
  • Assessment of change in future flow of Brahmaputra Basin applying SWAT model using multi-member ensemble climate data 🌍
  • IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON URBAN DRAINAGE SYSTEMS IN THREE SELECTED COASTAL TOWNS OF BANGLADESH 🌧️
  • Flow Pattern Analysis in Haor Areas Using Delft3d 🌊
  • Changes of sediment discharge on the Pasur River using future climate change scenario 💧
  • An Assessment of Best Fitted Rainfall Distribution for Projected Climate Change over Bangladesh using Statistical Downscaling Method 🌦️
  • Assessing the Reservoir Inflow Relationship for Effective Flood Mitigation: A Hydrologic Modeling Approach for Scituate Reservoir, Rhode Island 🏞️
  • Shallow Groundwater Thermal Response to Land Surface Energy Dissipation and Potential Implications on the Use of Heat as a Tracer 🌡️
  • Effects of safe yield on Drinking Water Supply and Reservoir Capacity during Extreme Drought 💧
  • Sensitivity of different satellites gridded data over Brahmaputra Basin by using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) 🛰️

Conclusion

Supria Paul is highly deserving of the Research for Best Researcher Award due to her impressive track record in research and practical applications within the field of water resources management. Her extensive experience, diverse project involvement, and strong academic background make her a standout candidate. To further enhance her candidacy, focusing on broader impact strategies, leadership roles, and exploring new research methodologies could be beneficial. Overall, her contributions to hydrology and environmental science are substantial, and she has demonstrated a commitment to advancing knowledge and practical solutions in her field.

Abebech Beyene | Irrigation and Water Resouces | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abebech Beyene | Irrigation and Water Resouces | Best Researcher Award

Associate professor | Bahir Dar University | Ethiopia

 

Abebech Abera Beyene, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Irrigation and Water Resources Engineering at Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. With a career spanning over 18 years, Dr. Beyene is renowned for her extensive research in irrigation productivity and water management. Her expertise encompasses small-scale irrigation systems, climate change adaptation strategies, and the application of geospatial tools for water resource management. Her leadership roles and international collaborations highlight her influence and dedication to advancing the field of water resources engineering.

Profile

ORCID

Strengths for the Award

  1. Extensive Academic Background:
    • Abebech holds a Ph.D. in Geography (Physical) from Ghent University, Belgium, and has a strong educational foundation with a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields from Ethiopian universities.
  2. Significant Research Contributions:
    • She has published numerous journal articles in reputable journals, focusing on irrigation productivity, climate change adaptation, and geospatial tools for water management. Her work is well-cited and demonstrates substantial contributions to the field.
  3. Diverse Research Interests and Expertise:
    • Her research covers various aspects of irrigation and water management, including small-scale systems, remote sensing, and basin-scale water resources management. This breadth indicates a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
  4. Leadership and Professional Activities:
    • Abebech has held leadership roles such as Dean of the School of Research and Postgraduate Studies and is actively involved in various international and local projects. Her role as an Irrigation & Hydraulics research unit leader and involvement in multiple collaborative projects demonstrate her leadership and impact in the field.
  5. International Collaborations:
    • She is engaged in several international collaborations, including supervising Ph.D. students from other institutions and contributing to global research networks. This involvement reflects her ability to work effectively in diverse and global contexts.
  6. Mentorship and Supervision:
    • Abebech has supervised numerous Master’s and Ph.D. students, which highlights her commitment to mentoring the next generation of researchers. Her supervision of students in various institutions and her contributions to their research projects showcase her dedication to academic growth and development.
  7. Professional Service:
    • Her roles in organizing conferences, reviewing research articles, and contributing to book editions underscore her active participation in advancing the field beyond her own research.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Increased Visibility and Outreach:
    • While her publications and professional activities are extensive, increasing her visibility through broader outreach and engagement with interdisciplinary and non-academic audiences could enhance her impact further.
  2. Focus on Emerging Trends:
    • Although her research is already substantial, staying updated with emerging trends and technologies in irrigation and water resources management, such as advancements in AI and big data analytics, could provide new avenues for research and application.
  3. Enhancing Collaborative Networks:
    • Expanding her collaborative networks to include more diverse international institutions and organizations could provide additional perspectives and resources for her research.
  4. Public Engagement:
    • Greater involvement in public science communication and community-based research initiatives might help in translating her research into practical solutions and policy recommendations.

Education

Dr. Beyene completed her Ph.D. in Geography (Physical) at Ghent University, Belgium, in June 2018. She holds a Master’s degree in Irrigation Engineering from Arba Minch University, Ethiopia (2010), and a Bachelor’s degree in Soil and Water Engineering from Haramaya University, Ethiopia (2006). Her academic background underpins her robust research capabilities and commitment to the field.

Experience

Dr. Beyene’s professional journey includes a research position at Amhara Agricultural Research Institute (2006-2012) and various academic roles at Bahir Dar University, where she has served as a lecturer, assistant professor, and currently as an associate professor since February 2024. She has held leadership roles such as Dean of the School of Research and Postgraduate Studies and leads research units focused on irrigation and water management.

Research Interests

Dr. Beyene’s research primarily explores irrigation productivity as a climate change adaptation strategy and employs geospatial tools for water resources management. Her work includes field experiments, data analysis using numerical and statistical models, and basin-scale remote sensing using tools like Google Earth Engine, ArcGIS, and QGIS. Her studies aim to enhance water resource management in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Beyene has been recognized for her substantial contributions to the field of water resources engineering through various awards and certifications. Her involvement in prestigious international conferences and leadership roles in research projects further attests to her influence and recognition in the field.

Publications

Here are some of Dr. Beyene’s key publications with hyperlinks and publication years:

Performance of small-scale irrigation schemes in Lake Tana Basin of Ethiopia: technical and socio-political attributes
Physical Geography, 2019
Link

Estimating the actual evapotranspiration and deep percolation in irrigated soils of a tropical floodplain, northwest Ethiopia
Agricultural Water Management, 2018
Link

Irrigation efficiency and shallow groundwater in anisotropic floodplain soils near Lake Tana, Ethiopia
Irrigation and Drainage, 2019
Link

Assessment of irrigation expansion and implications for water resources by using RS and GIS techniques in the Lake Tana Basin of Ethiopia
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2021
Link

Performance Evaluation of Surface Irrigation System in the Case of Dirma Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme at Kalu Woreda, Northern Ethiopia
Water Conservation Science and Engineering, 2021
Link

Assessing Farm Water Management and Performance of Koga Irrigation Scheme: a Case Study of Inguti Unit, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia
Water Conservation Science and Engineering, 2022
Link

Identifying rainwater harvesting sites using integrated GIS and a multi-criteria evaluation approach in semi-arid areas of Ethiopia
Applied Water Science, 2022
Link

Evaluating furrow irrigation techniques and grass mulch on irrigated onion using statistical tools and Hydrus-1D
Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 2023
Link

Response of Yield and Water Use Efficiency to Different Irrigation Levels under Furrow Systems of Soybean
Water Productivity Journal, 2023
Link

Determination of Optimum Water Requirement and Irrigation Interval for Upland Rice at Fogera, Ethiopia
Water Conservation Science and Engineering, 2023
Link

Conclusion

Abebech Abera Beyene is a highly competent and impactful researcher with a robust track record in irrigation and water resources engineering. Her extensive publication record, leadership roles, international collaborations, and commitment to mentorship make her a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. Addressing the areas for improvement, such as enhancing visibility, embracing emerging trends, and expanding collaborative networks, could further amplify her contributions to the field. Her dedication to advancing knowledge and practical solutions in water resources management is commendable and aligns well with the criteria for the award.