Hesham Mahmoud

Hydrological Engineer | Groundwater Modeler | Research Scientist

Grand Forks, US.

About

Highly accomplished Ph.D. Candidate and Hydrological Engineer with extensive experience in advanced groundwater modeling, recharge estimation, and sustainable water resource management. Proven expertise in developing predictive models for cold region aquifers, integrating field observations with process-based and data-driven approaches. Committed to leveraging analytical and numerical methods to address critical challenges in climate impact, aquifer sustainability, and drought management.

Work

University of North Dakota

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Graduate Research Assistant

Grand Forks, ND, US

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Summary

Led advanced hydrological modeling and research initiatives, successfully contributing to sustainable water resource management in cold regions through innovative predictive modeling.

Highlights

Developed and applied advanced hydrological models (CRHM, HYDRUS-1D, MODFLOW) to simulate groundwater recharge and head response in the Oakes Aquifer, North Dakota, assessing uncertainties related to pumping.

Executed comprehensive field campaigns for Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) and soil moisture measurements, gathering critical data for model calibration and validation.

Authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications, including a first-author paper in the Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, contributing to scientific knowledge in cold region hydrogeology.

Mentored and supervised master's students in groundwater-level analysis and hydrological modeling, fostering research capabilities and project completion.

Contributed to the development and writing of a research proposal for modeling PFAS transport and detection in groundwater, encompassing literature review, conceptual model design, and simulation planning.

Deltares

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Hydrogeology Intern

Delft, South Holland, Netherlands

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Summary

Contributed to the ESCACES project by developing and integrating predictive groundwater models for improved water resource forecasting in Colombia.

Highlights

Supported the ESCACES project in Colombia, successfully forecasting groundwater heads to enhance regional water management strategies.

Applied SEAS-5 data with bias correction and spatial downscaling techniques to refine hydrological inputs for forecasting models.

Integrated SEAS-5 data, recharge models, and groundwater models within the FEWS platform, optimizing system connectivity and data flow.

Research Institute for Groundwater

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Research Assistant/Hydrogeologist

Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

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Summary

Conducted comprehensive hydrogeological investigations, including well design, modeling, and data analysis, to characterize aquifers across Egypt.

Highlights

Managed the design and oversight of pumping and injection well drilling, ensuring adherence to geological and engineering specifications.

Executed analytical and numerical groundwater modeling for diverse aquifers across Egypt, informing sustainable resource management strategies.

Generated detailed hydrogeological maps using ArcGIS, providing crucial spatial data for water resource planning and decision-making.

Conducted extensive field visits for groundwater sampling, pumping tests, and monitoring of groundwater levels (GWL).

Analyzed pumping test data to accurately determine aquifer characteristics, including hydraulic conductivities and transmissivity.

Civil and Environmental Engineering Group (CEEG)

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Hydrology Engineer

Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

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Summary

Designed and developed hydrological solutions for flood protection, storm drainage, and water resource management using advanced numerical models.

Highlights

Designed robust flood protection and storm drainage systems utilizing numerical models (HECRAS, HEC-HMS, EPANET), mitigating potential damage and ensuring public safety.

Created comprehensive hydrological databases for urban and rural development projects using ArcGIS, enhancing data accessibility and analysis capabilities.

DURAVIT, KSB, VAG and Geberit

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Trainee

Multiple Cities, Germany & Switzerland, Germany

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Summary

Gained practical insights into water and wastewater management through industrial training across Germany and Switzerland.

Highlights

Participated in industrial training programs at DURAVIT, KSB, VAG, and Geberit, observing advanced manufacturing and operational processes in water and wastewater infrastructure.

Holding Company of Water and Wastewater HCWW

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Trainee

Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

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Summary

Acquired foundational knowledge in water and wastewater operations through hands-on training at HCWW in Egypt.

Highlights

Completed a summer training program at the Holding Company of Water and Wastewater (HCWW), gaining exposure to water treatment, distribution, and wastewater management systems.

Volunteer

Research Mentor

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University of North Dakota

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Assisted an advisor in mentoring a master's student on groundwater levels analysis and groundwater modeling techniques.

Highlights

Provided mentorship and guidance to a master's student on advanced groundwater levels analysis and hydrological modeling techniques.

Vice President

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International Student Organization, IHE Delft

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Served as Vice President, contributing to student welfare and fostering international community engagement.

Highlights

Represented the international student body, fostering an inclusive environment and organizing community-building initiatives.

Volunteer

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Charity Organization, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University

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Contributed to community service initiatives through a charity organization at Cairo University.

Highlights

Participated in various charity activities, supporting local community needs and promoting social responsibility.

Organizer

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International Conference on Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation

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Organized a key international conference focused on sustainable water supply and sanitation, facilitating global knowledge exchange.

Highlights

Coordinated logistics and program for an international conference, facilitating knowledge exchange among global experts on sustainable water management.

Education

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND, United States of America
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Ph.D. Geological Engineering Grade:

Courses

Groundwater Processes in Cold Regions

Hydrogeology

IHE Delft Institute of Water Education

Delft, South Holland, Netherlands
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Master of Science Water Science and Engineering Grade:

Courses

Applied Groundwater Modeling

Cairo University

Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
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Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering Grade:

Courses

Artificial Groundwater Recharge for Municipal and Irrigation Uses

Awards

Student Finance Scholarship

UND Alumni Association and Foundation

Recognizing academic achievement and financial need to support ongoing studies.

North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute (NDWRRI) Fellowship

University of North Dakota

Awarded for outstanding research potential and contributions to water resources.

Harold Hamm Leadership Scholarship

University of North Dakota

Awarded for demonstrated leadership qualities and academic excellence within the university.

IHE Delft Advanced Class Scholarship

IHE Delft Institute

Supported participation in advanced studies and specialized coursework at IHE Delft.

Orange Knowledge Program Fellowship (Full MSc. Scholarship)

Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Full scholarship awarded for Master of Science studies in Water Science and Engineering in the Netherlands.

Orange Knowledge Program Fellowship (Applied Groundwater Modeling Short Course)

Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Supported participation in a specialized short course focusing on Applied Groundwater Modeling.

Water and Environment Engineering (WEE) Program Scholarship

Cairo University

Scholarship awarded for Bachelor of Science studies in Civil Engineering, recognizing academic merit.

Publications

Groundwater level response to recent wetting in a cold region aquifer.

Journal (Under Review)

Research on groundwater level responses to wetting in cold region aquifers, currently under peer review for publication.

Seasonal forecasting of groundwater levels to support adaptation to drought.

Journal (Under Review)

Developed methodologies for seasonal groundwater level forecasting to aid drought adaptation strategies, currently under peer review.

Groundwater recharge dynamics to recent wetting in a cold region aquifer

Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies

Investigated the dynamics of groundwater recharge in cold region aquifers in response to recent wetting events, contributing to predictive modeling.

Impacts of Snowmelt Recharge on Groundwater Table Fluctuations in a Cold Region Unconfined Aquifer

Earth

Analyzed the influence of snowmelt recharge on groundwater table fluctuations within unconfined aquifers in cold regions, published in Earth.

M.Sc. Thesis: Seasonal forecasting of groundwater heads to support drought management decisions.

IHE Delft Institute for Water Education

Master's thesis focusing on developing seasonal forecasts of groundwater heads to inform drought management decisions.

Languages

English

Fluent

Arabic

Native

Skills

Hydrological Modeling

MODFLOW, HYDRUS-1D, CRHM, SWAT.

GIS & Spatial Analysis

ArcGIS Pro, QGIS.

Programming

Python (modeling & data analysis), MATLAB.

Data Analysis

Statistical Modeling, Machine Learning (Introductory).

Field Research & Data Collection

Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) Measurement, Soil Moisture Measurement, Groundwater Sampling, Pumping Test Analysis, Groundwater Level (GWL) Monitoring.

Water Resource Management

Groundwater Recharge Estimation, Aquifer Sustainability, Drought Management, Flood Protection Systems, Storm Drainage Systems.

References

Dr. Taufique H. Mahmood

Associate Professor & Graduate Director, Harold Hamm School of Geology and Geological Engineering, UND; Director, Center for Water Research | Email: taufique.mahmood@engr.und.edu | Phone: 701-777-6959 | https://engineering.und.edu/research/cwr/index.html

Dr. Scott F. Korom

Professor & Director of Western North Dakota Operations, UND | Email: scott.korom@und.edu | Phone: 701-777-6327

Dr. Micha Werner

Associate Professor, Water Resources & Ecosystems, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Netherlands | Email: m.werner@un-ihe.org | Phone: +31 15 215 1807

Projects

Ph.D. Dissertation: Sustainability of Cold Region Shallow Unconfined Aquifers

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Summary

Comprehensive research on groundwater recharge estimation, modeling, and forecasting to assess the sustainability of shallow unconfined aquifers in cold regions, integrating field observations, process-based, and data-driven approaches.

M.Sc. Thesis: Seasonal Forecasting of Groundwater Heads to Support Drought Management

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Summary

Research focused on developing and applying methodologies for seasonal forecasting of groundwater heads to provide critical support for drought management decisions.

B.Sc. Graduation Project: Artificial Groundwater Recharge for Municipal and Irrigation Uses

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Summary

Investigated and designed artificial groundwater recharge systems to augment water supply for municipal and irrigation purposes in Egypt.