Younes Hamed | Health Safety and Environment | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Prof. Younes Hamed | Health Safety and Environment | Best Researcher Award

Professor at University of Gafsa, Tunisia

Prof. Dr. Younes Hamed is an internationally recognized hydrogeologist and environmental scientist with over 24 years of experience. His work spans across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America, contributing significantly to the fields of hydrogeology, geochemistry, and environmental risk assessment. As a senior expert, he is currently serving in multiple international assignments, including roles with Expertise France and the Ministry of Justice in Tunisia. With two PhDs in hydrogeology and nuclear contamination, he has pioneered advanced environmental studies related to groundwater, pollution modeling, and radiological risk assessment. Prof. Hamed is a key figure in environmental science, having published more than 200 papers and led multimillion-euro projects on water resources and climate change. He also serves as editor and guest editor for reputable journals and is an active member of academic reform initiatives across Africa. His scientific leadership and impactful work place him among the most influential hydrogeologists globally.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Prof. Hamed holds two doctoral degrees: a PhD in Hydrogeology and Geochemistry from the University of Sfax (Tunisia) in collaboration with Vienna University (Austria), and a second PhD in Nuclear Radioactivity Contamination from the University of Gabes (Tunisia) in partnership with Heifi University (China). He also earned a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Hydrogeology through the Fulbright Program at the University of Houston (USA), focusing on integrated geomorphological and geochemical analysis of karst aquifers. Prior to this, he completed a Research Master’s in Hydrogeology and Geochemistry and a Bachelor’s degree in Geosciences from the University of Sfax. His academic journey is supplemented by international certifications, including training from UNESCO-France in climate change impact and from the University of New Mexico-USA in chemical security. This robust academic foundation has enabled Prof. Hamed to conduct interdisciplinary research and provide policy-relevant environmental assessments at national and international levels.

Professional Experience

Prof. Hamed’s professional portfolio includes diverse, high-impact assignments in Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Iraq, and the United States. As Senior Expert, he has led extensive water quality monitoring campaigns, managed hydrometeorological networks, and conducted environmental audits for courts and ministries. In Tunisia, he headed large-scale aquifer modeling projects funded by the EU and GIZ-Germany. His expertise also contributed to evaluating oil and groundwater overexploitation impacts on subsidence in Texas, USA. He has worked on nuclear contamination assessments in phosphate mining regions and led geochemical risk analyses for both groundwater and soil. Prof. Hamed is frequently engaged by environmental ministries and international donors for projects exceeding €80 million in budget. His combined role as technical expert, field scientist, and project leader ensures science-based outcomes for sustainable water and environmental management.

Research Interests

Prof. Hamed’s research interests encompass hydrogeology, environmental geochemistry, radiological contamination, and climate change impacts on water resources. He specializes in groundwater modeling, aquifer vulnerability assessment, pollution risk analysis, and the geochemical tracing of toxic elements. His work includes artificial recharge systems using wastewater and rainwater, hydrogeophysical mapping, and ecosystem health risk evaluations. He also explores the interface of mining activities with environmental and human health hazards, particularly involving uranium and heavy metal contaminants. He integrates remote sensing, GIS, and isotope hydrology in his research and applies this to address environmental justice and water security in arid and semi-arid regions. Prof. Hamed’s work is highly interdisciplinary and policy-relevant, bridging science, public health, and environmental law. His ongoing focus includes remediation strategies for radioactively contaminated groundwater and development of sustainable desalination impact assessments.

Awards and Recognitions

Prof. Hamed has achieved top-ranking positions on national and continental scales: #1 in Tunisia and Africa, and #22 globally on the AD Scientific Index in Hydrogeology and Environmental Sciences. He is a recipient of multiple recognitions for international research leadership, including appointment as President of the International Association of Water Resources in the Southern Mediterranean Basin and Chairman of the International Symposium of Water Resources and Environmental Impact Assessment in North Africa. He has served as national and international committee member for PhD and curriculum reforms and is a trusted evaluator for major academic funding programs such as PRIMA, Erasmus+, and PHC-Maghreb. He is also Editor-in-Chief and Guest Editor for international journals such as Water, Sustainability, and Environmental Integration. These accolades underline his global standing and influence in hydro-environmental research and academic governance.

Publications

  1. Hamed, Y. et al. (2025). Radioactivity of the unconventional uranium resources from phosphate rock in Tunisia—remediation strategies. Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration. Cited by: 3.

  2. Boschetti, T., Hamed, Y. et al. (2025). Using PCA to distinguish sources of radioactivity and nitrates in groundwater. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 271. Cited by: 5.

  3. Hamed, Y. et al. (2025). Radiological monitoring around phosphate deposits in Tunisia. Acque Sotterranee, 14(1). Cited by: 4.

  4. Hamed, Y. et al. (2025). Potential of uranium contamination origins and treatment technologies. Umm Al-Qura Univ. Journal for Applied Sciences. Cited by: 2.

  5. Hamed, Y. et al. (2024). Environmental radioactivity and toxic metals in dams. Sustainability Journal. Cited by: 7.

  6. Hamed, Y. et al. (2024). Assessment of groundwater contamination from phosphate mining. Hydrology, 11, 84. Cited by: 6.

  7. Al-Hussein, A. A., Hamed, Y. et al. (2024). SWAT modeling of sediment yield in Iraq. Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration. Cited by: 3.

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Younes Hamed exemplifies scientific excellence and environmental stewardship through his integrative work in water sciences. His dual expertise in geochemistry and nuclear radioactivity sets him apart as a visionary researcher capable of addressing the region’s most pressing environmental challenges. Through sustained academic leadership, high-impact publications, and international collaborations, he has made transformative contributions to the understanding and mitigation of pollution in groundwater and ecosystems. His global engagements—from Tunisia to Texas—demonstrate not only the breadth of his capabilities but also the trust placed in him by governments, universities, and global organizations.

Sameer Arora | Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Dr. Sameer Arora | Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) | Best Researcher Award

Sector Specialist at National Institute of Urban Affairs, India

Sameer Arora is an accomplished environmental engineer specializing in water resource engineering and waste management. With extensive experience across academia, research institutions, and policy advisory roles, he has made significant contributions to urban environmental sustainability. His expertise spans integrated waste management, pollution control, climate resilience, and the implementation of sustainable environmental policies. Dr. Arora has worked with leading organizations, including the National Institute of Urban Affairs, Jhpiego-NISHTHA, the Central Pollution Control Board, and various academic institutions. His research primarily focuses on water quality modeling, air pollution assessment, and waste management strategies. Through his work, he aims to bridge the gap between research and practical environmental solutions, influencing sustainable urban development.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Sameer Arora holds a Ph.D. in Water Resource Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, earned in 2021. His research at IIT Delhi focused on advanced modeling techniques for improving urban river water quality. Prior to this, he completed his M.Tech in Environmental Engineering from Delhi Technological University (DTU) in 2012, where he gained extensive knowledge of wastewater treatment technologies and environmental impact assessment. He began his academic journey with a B.Tech in Environmental Engineering from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) in 2009, laying a strong foundation in sustainable engineering practices and environmental conservation.

Experience

Dr. Arora has amassed a wealth of experience across various sectors. Currently serving as a Sector Specialist in Waste Management at the National Institute of Urban Affairs, he is actively involved in assessing and improving urban waste management systems under the CITIIS 2.0 program. Previously, as a Technical Lead for Water and Waste Management at Jhpiego-NISHTHA, he played a pivotal role in integrating climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability in public healthcare facilities. His tenure at the Central Pollution Control Board as a Consultant in Science and Engineering involved extensive work in air and water pollution monitoring, regulatory framework analysis, and sustainable waste management. Additionally, he has held academic positions at Sharda University, G D Goenka University, and Galgotias University, where he contributed to teaching, research, and curriculum development in environmental engineering.

Research Interests

Dr. Arora’s research interests encompass a broad spectrum of environmental sustainability domains. His work extensively explores water quality modeling, particularly the development of predictive models for dissolved oxygen dynamics in urban rivers. He has also conducted significant research on air pollution analysis, industrial waste management, and e-mobility solutions. His interest in climate resilience has led to studies on carbon footprint assessment in healthcare facilities and strategic planning for environmental sustainability. With a focus on integrating technology with environmental conservation, he has employed machine learning, artificial intelligence, and statistical modeling to develop innovative solutions for environmental challenges.

Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Sameer Arora has received numerous accolades for his contributions to environmental research and policy. His work has been recognized by leading academic and governmental institutions, highlighting his commitment to sustainable urban development. He has been a key contributor to national environmental policies and has received appreciation for his efforts in waste management and air pollution control. Additionally, he has been invited as a guest speaker at various faculty development programs (FDPs) and short-term training programs (STTPs), further emphasizing his impact in the field.

Selected Publications

Arora, S., & Keshari, A.K. (2023). Implementing Machine Learning Algorithm to Model Reaeration Coefficient of Urbanized Rivers. Environmental Modeling & Assessment. (Cited by multiple studies on urban water modeling.)

Arora, S. (2023). Assessment of technological and financial challenges in upgradation of BS-III and BS-IV vehicles. International Journal of Vehicle Design.

Arora, S., & Keshari, A.K. (2023). Implication of dissolved nitrogen dynamics of urban rivers using multivariate regression and structural equation modeling. CLEAN–Soil, Air, Water.

Arora, S., & Gargava, P. (2023). E-Mobility: Hindrances and motivators for policies implementation in India. Case Studies on Transport Policy.

Singh, K., Arora, S., & Gargava, P. (2023). Waste paper trade and recycling policy in India: a review. International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences.

Arora, S., & Keshari, A.K. (2022). Modeling re-aeration of rivers using predictive models and developed ANN models under varying hydrodynamic conditions. Hydrological Sciences Journal.

Arora, S., & Keshari, A.K. (2021). ANFIS-ARIMA modeling for scheming re-aeration of hydrologically altered rivers. Journal of Hydrology.

Conclusion

Dr. Sameer Arora’s extensive experience, strong academic background, and impactful research in environmental sustainability position him as a leading expert in his field. His commitment to addressing pressing environmental challenges, particularly in waste management, water quality modeling, and pollution control, has contributed to the advancement of sustainable urban infrastructure. Through his policy advisory roles and academic contributions, he continues to drive meaningful change in the domain of environmental engineering. His work not only influences research and industry practices but also shapes policies for a cleaner and more sustainable future.