Monireh Faramarzi, PhD
Contact
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Science - Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Admin
- faramarz@ualberta.ca
Overview
About
I am leading the "Watershed Science and Modelling Laboratory (WSML)" at the department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. My research interest involves development and application of environmental models to study ‘fundamental’ and ‘applied’ aspects of water quantity and quality that seeks to understand the interactions between water, earth, ecosystems, and humans. The multi-disciplinary nature of my research enables a broadening of the hydrologic perspective and the advancement of hydrologic science through integration with other scientific disciplines.
Fundamental research in my lab utilizes physical and process-based eco-hydrological models to study the soil-plant-water-atmosphere system to address dynamics of water resources under uncertain variability and change in future climate. For this aspect, my research focus is to improve spatially explicit assessment of dynamic water resources components including blue water (i.e., surface and ground water), green water (i.e., soil water and evapotranspiration), fossil water (i.e., glaciers and ground water) and virtual water (i.e., water embedded in traded commodities) under global climate change scenarios. I am also interested in applied research to address water supply and demand issues and to study water availability, water reliability and scarcity, and water demand of different sectors (e.g., agriculture, oil & gas, municipality, industry, and environment). I apply models to analyze alternative management options to realize opportunities and risks during periods of water surplus and scarcity in the past and in the future linking climate change effects of water supply-demand to economic prospects. I use a broad range of models, datasets, and approaches to study integrated water resources management and the water-food-energy-environment nexus. These topics are understudied and increasingly important for the development of sustainable resource management not only in Alberta and in Canada, but also in other jurisdictions around the world.
Research
Research Opportunity
I am interested in attracting post doctoral fellows and graduate students to work on our ongoing and future research projects. For more details about the current job opportunities please see the details in our Watershed Science and Modelling Lab website.
http://cms.eas.ualberta.ca/faramarzilab/
Teaching
EAS 429 (555), (Adavnced) Hydrologic Modelling (1 - 0 - 3)
This course will provide knowledge and tools that are used to assess water supply and demand in large scale and complex watersheds. The course is divided into two parts: Part I (80% hands on) deals with understanding mechanistic concepts, assumptions behind hydrologic models, and advantages and limitations associated with using models. The course will elaborate on issues in data collection, construction, sensitivity analysis, calibration and validation of hydrologic models used to assess the dynamics of water resources in response to climate change and human activities. Part II aims to enhance understanding of issues such as water scarcity and water surplus under climate change and variability. It describes shortcomings of the traditional ‘blue water’ management and new concepts used to manage blue, green, and grey water resources by discussing water footprint, water productivity, and virtual water trade strategy. It develops basic knowledge and skills to manage water supply/demand with an integrated, multidisciplinary, and dynamic manner. Examples and case studies will be used to illustrate the issues surrounding model applications for water resources management, drawing on perspectives from both the natural sciences and the policy arena.
Announcements
New PhD and PDF Opportunities in Water-Food-Energy-Environment and Climate Change Sciences
I am interested in attracting post doctoral fellows and graduate students to work on our ongoing and future research projects. For more details about the current job opportunities please see the details at our Watershed Science and Modelling Lab website.
http://cms.eas.ualberta.ca/faramarzilab/
Work Location and Conditions
o The jobs are full time, located at the Watershed Science and Modelling Lab of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
o Salary: depends on the candidate’s skill set and the funding source
How to apply
o Curriculum Vita
o Statement of research interest: what questions in job advertisement you find interesting and important, and why, as well how you think progress could be made.
o Letters of recommendation from three references
o Applications must be sent to Dr. Monireh Faramarzi via faramarz@ualberta.ca
Closing date:
o Position open until filled.
Courses
EAS 456 - Hydrologic Modeling
The knowledge and tools that are used to assess water supply and water demand in complex watersheds. Elaboration of issues regarding data collection, sensitivity analysis, calibration and validation of hydrologic models. Understanding and quantifying water scarcity and water surplus in the context of climate change and climate variability. Theory and applied tools to manage water supply and demand.
EAS 555 - Advanced Hydrologic Modeling
The knowledge and tools that are used to assess water supply and water demand in complex watersheds. Elaboration of issues regarding data collection, sensitivity analysis, calibration and validation of hydrologic models. Understanding and quantifying water scarcity and water surplus in the context of climate change and climate variability. Theory and applied tools to manage water supply and demand. Classes concurrent with EAS 456.