Our Experts
Meet the specialists behind the Smart Water Initiative
Dr. Elnaser Abdelwahab - EGYPT
AI, Software Development, Computaional Linguistics, Logics
Elnaser Abdelwahab is a specialist in Medical Computer Science and a researcher focused on the intersection of computational logic, linguistics, and non-profit technology. Education and Qualifications : Two Masters in AI and theoretical and practical Computer Science from France and Germany Ph.D. in Medical Computer Science: Earned from university of Giessen in Germany (associated with research profiles as a Lecturere and research assistant at Clausthal University of Technology). Key Skills: His expertise spans Pattern Recognition, Symbolic Artificial Intelligence Systems, NP-completeness and the formal logic of computational linguistics. Professional Roles : GridSAT Stiftung: Serves as a key leader within the foundation, which promotes "Open Everything" (Open Source, Open Data, and Open Access) and develops non-profit grid computing solutions. Makmad: He has held high-level technical roles, including VP Technology and General Manager, at the technology firm UNOPS: Software Project Manager/Test Manager, Software Developer/Integrator UNOP, Nile Basin Initiative
Dr. Ayman A. Rahman - AUSTRIA
Groundwater Modeling, Hydrological Modeling, Remote Sensing, AI for Water Systems
Dr. Ayman Abdul Rahman is the Founder of the Smart Water & Sustainability Initiative and an international expert in groundwater modeling, hydrological systems, and AI-driven water resource management. His scientific work integrates Artificial Intelligence, satellite data analysis, GIS, and water footprint assessment to support sustainable and climate-resilient water management. He previously served as a Scientific Researcher at TU Wien, staff member at the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Aleppo University, and Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering. He also worked as an Assistant Project Scientist at TU Wien within the Remote Sensing Department under the CCI-ESA program. Dr. Abdul Rahman has contributed as a groundwater modeling specialist with UNDP and as an international consultant for the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) in Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Dunya Alraddawi - FRANCE
Scientist in Atmospheric Physics and Remote Sensing
She is a scientist in atmospheric physics and remote sensing at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), specializing in the calibration and validation of water vapor measurements using Raman lidar systems. Her work advances the accuracy, traceability, and long-term stability of atmospheric humidity observations, strengthening the scientific foundations that inform climate and water governance. she contributes to interdisciplinary and international research initiatives aimed at translating high-quality atmospheric data into actionable knowledge for policymakers. By bridging atmospheric science and decision-making frameworks, she supports climate resilience strategies, sustainable water resource management, and evidence-based adaptation planning in the context of global environmental change.
Dr.Ramadhan Al-Suliavany - IRAQ
Water Resources Management & Climate Change
Dr. Ramadhan Al-Suliavany is a water resources engineer and environmental policy expert specializing in transboundary rivers, water diplomacy, and climate-security risks in Iraq and the Middle East. He previously worked as a Consultant for Water Strategies and Policies at the Kingdom Water Resources CODE in Saudi Arabia, where he contributed to national and regional water planning, integrated resource management, and strategic policy development. His work combines scientific analysis with negotiation strategies to support evidence-based decision-making and strengthen water security for vulnerable communities. Ramadhan has also played a key role in national dialogues, technical studies, and policy roadmaps addressing sustainable water management, hydropolitics, and climate change adaptation. Recognized for bridging technical expertise with practical policy insight, he collaborates with governments, institutions, and international stakeholders to advance resilient and cooperative water governance strategies across the Middle East, helping ensure that shared water resources are managed sustainably and equitably.
Dr. Jauad El Kharraz - MOROCCO
Senior Manager and Expert
Highly accomplished senior manager and expert with 25+ years of experience in sustainable development, energy transition, desalination technologies, WEFE nexus, agriculture, climate & science diplomacy, access to finance, decarbonization and environmental studies and water policy. Proven ability to lead and deliver impactful projects, secure funding, and build strong partnerships in MENA/Euromed region. Success in delivering research & training projects. Contribution to policies and decision-making processes. He demonstrated efficiency in diversifying funding sources and working with international and national donors & multilateral programs (FP7, H2020, ENPI CBC Med, INCO MED, INCO NGOs, LIFE, PRIMA, GIZ, USAID, GCF, IsDB, COST, TWAS, PIE...). Strong Technical & Financial Management skills. Adept in building strong working relationships and partnering with key stakeholders nationally and internationally to develop and deploy compliance frameworks to achieve goals. Fluent in Arabic, English, French and Spanish.
Prof. Khaled Hazaymeh - JORDAN
Remote Sensing and Environmental Modeling
Prof. Khaled Hazaymeh is a professor of remote sensing and geographic information systems at Yarmouk University and The Dean of the Faculty of Arts. He has extensive experience in the fields of remote sensing and geographic information systems, with a special focus on environmental modeling, natural resource management, and air and water quality. He has published numerous scientific papers in international peer-reviewed journals, supervised advanced research and training projects, and actively participated in local and international conferences. His work combines academic and applied aspects and seeks to enhance the role of applied geography in serving sustainable development issues in Jordan and the region.
Dr. Wael Seif - FAO
Water Resources and Irrigation Professional, PhD in Groundwater Modelling
Dr. Wael Seif is a senior water resources and irrigation specialist with over 30 years of experience in integrated water management, sustainable irrigation, and water policy. He is currently Chief Technical Adviser with FAO in Somalia, where he leads technical coordination for large‑scale water and irrigation programme, and previously served as Senior Water Expert and Team Leader with FAO in Syria, supporting line ministries on resilience, agricultural recovery, and irrigation rehabilitation. He holds a PhD in groundwater modelling and has led major water, irrigation, and policy initiatives across fragile, conflict‑affected, and arid contexts, working closely with governments and international partners.
Dr. Ammar Wahbi - AUSTRIA
Specialist in Soil, Water and Crop Nutrition Managements.
PhD degree at the faculty of agriculture, University of reading, UK in 1986. Specialist in soil, plant water management. Have a national experience at the faculty of agriculture, University of Aleppo for over 26 years till I retired. Regional experience at the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), Damascus, Syria. International experience at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Aleppo, Syria for over 15 years at different positions, Technical Officer, Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria for over 5 years till retired, Visiting Professor, Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University, Japan, as well as expert missions in Europe, Asia and Africa. I have established many networks over the whole world. with many publications in English and Arabic
Dr. Ahmad Yaghi - GERMANY
Scientist in Remote Sensing and GIS
Former Director of Research at the General Authority for Remote Sensing in Damascus and current lecturer at Damascus University. Holds a PhD in Remote Sensing for crop monitoring and yield estimation using remote sensing techniques (2000) from Zhejiang University, China. Currently a lecturer at the Syrian Virtual University in the Master's program in Integrated Natural Resource Management. He contributes to interdisciplinary and international research initiatives aimed at translating high-quality atmospheric data into actionable knowledge for policymakers. By bridging atmospheric science and decision-making frameworks, He supports climate resilience strategies, sustainable water resource management, and evidence-based adaptation planning in the context of global environmental change.
Dr. Eblal Zakzok - USA
Remote Sensing and GIS
Eblal is a graduate of Aleppo University with a BSc in Civil Engineering department of topographic science and with a PhD from the University of Mathematics , UK. Eblal is specialized in geomatics and geospatial sciences focusing on remote sensing GIS and their applications to monitor land use / land cover changes, surface hydrology, runoff and nonprofit source pollution. He had developed teaching experience through his work in several universities in the UK, Syria and USA. He had participated in developing geospatial data for environmental study and for the Euphrates Tigris Initiative for collaboration (ETIC). Eblal worked also with the Franklin County Engineer Office between 2017 - 2018 and acquired a US field survey experience using the latest surveying equipment including GPS and robotic total stations. He had been teaching surveying and other geospatial courses at Ohio State University since 2015.