University faculty member, Ardakan University, Iran
Dr. Somayeh Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Water Sciences and Engineering at Ardakan University, Yazd, Iran. With a Ph.D. in Water Engineering from Isfahan University of Technology, she has a distinguished academic and research background in hydrology, environmental pollution, and irrigation systems. Her work bridges theoretical research and practical applications in arid regions, focusing on scouring, water and soil pollution, deficit irrigation, and sediment transport. Dr. Soltani has served as a reviewer for over 30 prestigious journals and sits on the editorial board of PLOS ONE and Ecological Risk and Security Research. She was awarded the Best Researcher at Ardakan University in 2017 and Yazd Province in 2018. Her contributions span impactful research projects funded by the Iran National Science Foundation and educational leadership through over a decade of university-level teaching. Her growing citations reflect her relevance in environmental and hydrological science.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Somayeh Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi holds a Ph.D. in Water Engineering (2013) from Isfahan University of Technology, where she graduated with an “Excellent” GPA. Her doctoral thesis focused on “Use of Jets as a Pier-Scour Countermeasure,” a significant contribution to hydraulic engineering. She also conducted research at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, in 2010 as part of an international collaboration. Prior to her Ph.D., she earned an M.Sc. in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering (2007) from the same university, with a thesis on the combined impact of deficit irrigation and salinity on canola crops. Her undergraduate education culminated in a B.Sc. in Irrigation Engineering (2005), again from IUT, where she graduated with honors. Her academic path is marked by early excellence, including admission to the M.Sc. program without examination and consistently high GPAs. This strong foundation has fueled her ongoing contributions to hydrological science and agricultural water management.
Experience
Dr. Soltani has amassed extensive academic and research experience since 2008. She currently serves as Associate Professor at Ardakan University, where she has taught a variety of hydrological, irrigation, and soil science subjects across more than a decade. She has also lectured at Yazd University and Mehregan University, teaching critical subjects like fluid mechanics, irrigation system design, and crop evapotranspiration. Her research engagements include being a visiting scholar at NTU Singapore and leading national projects funded by Iran’s INSF, focusing on wastewater treatment, soil salinity, atmospheric dust, and ecological risk assessments. Dr. Soltani has also supervised numerous graduate students and has provided editorial oversight for prominent journals like PLOS ONE. She was named Best Lecturer in 2017 and 2022 at Ardakan University and was awarded Best Researcher by Yazd Province in 2018. Her portfolio illustrates a commitment to both scientific advancement and pedagogical excellence.
Research Focus
Dr. Somayeh Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi’s research centers on water resource sustainability in arid and semi-arid environments. Her work spans a diverse range of topics including hydraulic scouring, water and soil pollution, deficit irrigation strategies, evapotranspiration modeling, sediment transport, and wastewater treatment using modified adsorbents. She investigates both geogenic and anthropogenic impacts on environmental quality, particularly the role of heavy metals in urban and agricultural settings. Her studies often use soft computing, GIS analysis, and experimental setups to generate models for risk assessment and pollution mitigation. Recently, her projects have addressed the ecological risks of mining dust and the effects of treated wastewater on plant growth. Her research not only advances hydrological science but also informs practical policies for environmental conservation and agricultural resilience. Supported by multiple grants from the Iran National Science Foundation, her innovative work contributes significantly to addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, water scarcity, and environmental degradation.
Publication Top Notes
- Geogenic and anthropogenic sources identification and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the urban soil of Yazd, central Iran
Authors: S. Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi, M. Ghasemi, B. Ghanbarian
Journal: PLOS ONE, 16(11): e0260418, 2021.
Citations: 49
Summary: This study identified the sources and assessed the ecological risk of heavy metals in Yazd’s urban soil. Using multivariate analysis and pollution indices, it differentiated between natural and human-induced contamination. The findings highlighted serious ecological risks, informing urban soil management strategies.
- Pollution, human health risk assessment and spatial distribution of toxic metals in urban soil of Yazd City, Iran
Authors: S. Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi, M. Ghasemi, M. Gheysouri
Journal: Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 43(9), pp.3469–3484, 2021.
Citations: 41
Summary: This paper provides an in-depth assessment of human health risks from metal contamination in urban soils, employing GIS and statistical methods. The study concludes that children are at higher risk and emphasizes the need for strict environmental monitoring.
- Effects of partial rootzone drying on yield, yield components, and irrigation water use efficiency of canola (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: S.F. Mousavi, S. Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi, B. Mostafazadeh-Fard
Journal: Paddy and Water Environment, Vol. 8, pp.157–163, 2010.
Citations: 39
Summary: The study explores how partial root zone drying can enhance water use efficiency without significantly reducing canola yield. It presents sustainable irrigation techniques for water-scarce regions.
Conclusion
Dr. Somayeh Soltani-Gerdefaramarzi demonstrates excellent qualifications for the Best Researcher Award, particularly in the fields of hydrology, soil and water pollution, deficit irrigation, and environmental sustainability. Her scholarly impact, national recognition, interdisciplinary approach, and consistent academic service make her a strong and deserving candidate. With increased international collaboration and a focus on translational research or innovation, her profile could rise even further on the global stage.