Soroosh Sorooshian, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering & Director, Center for Hydrometeorology and Remote Sensing

University of California, Irvine

Speech Title:

Hydroclimatology of the Middle East and Mediterranean Regions: lessons from the past and prospects of predicting the future

Abstract:

This presentation reviews some of the historical patterns of extreme events (floods and droughts) in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. Recent developments in hydroclimate modeling to project future changes in extreme events as the result of intensification of the Earth hydrologic cycle will be discussed. Examples of the role of information technology and new observation systems such as space-based remote sensing will be examined.

Bio:

Soroosh Sorooshian, is a Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth System Science Departments and Director of the Center for Hydrometeorology & Remote Sensing (CHRS) in the Henry Samueli School of Engineering (HSSoE) at UC Irvine. Prior to 2003 he was a Regents Professor at the University of Arizona for 20 years and was the founding director of the $35 million-funded NSF STC Sustainability of semi-Arid Hydrology and Riparian Areas (SAHRA) .His area of expertise is Hydrometeorology, water resources systems, climate studies and application of remote sensing to earth science problems with special focus on the hydrologic cycle and water resources issues of arid and semi-arid zones. He also consults on problems related to surface hydrology and urban flooding. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE); Member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA); Member, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS).