Zeshan Ali
Graduate Research Assistant
Memphis,Tennessee
Summary
My expertise includes hydrological and flood modeling, geographic information systems, environmental pollution and field Instrumentation. Alongside my professional endeavors, I am an avid explorer, currently based in USA, I am eager to apply my skills and passion for environmental dynamics in challenging contexts worldwide, contributing to and learning from diverse environmental landscapes.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant
The University of Memphis
Memphis, TN
09.2025 - Current
Senior Research Officer - Hydrologist
International Water Management Institute
Pakistan
04.2023 - 08.2025
- Project Name: Climate Action Science Program
- Project Description: Aim to drive science, innovation, and collaboration to transform food, land, and water systems for a climate-resilient, net-zero, and equitable future.
- Responsibilities - Installation, Monitoring, and Calibration of Eddy Co-Variance Flux Tower for atmospheric research.
- Measure ecosystem-scale carbon fluxes using eddy covariance techniques.
- Deployment of CTD Divers for groundwater monitoring.
- Setting up Chameleon Soil Moisture Sensors.
- Preparing technical reports and project specifications.
- Arrange and organize capacity-building training workshops.
- Facilitate stakeholder platform meetings for Polit District.
- Project Name: Remote Sensing for Water Productivity (WaPOR)
- Project Description: Contribute to the WaPOR project in monitoring biomass production and evapotranspiration through remote sensing, enhancing land and water productivity in both irrigated and rainfed systems.
- Responsibilities - Analyze remote sensing data for soil water balance, biomass, and evapotranspiration.
- Co-develop practical tools and solutions with stakeholders at various scales.
- Document and share best practices for sustainable land and water management.
- Assist in integrating data outputs into water governance and policies.
- Project Name: CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration
- Project Description: Fragility, Conflict, and Migration tackles livelihood, food, and climate security challenges for vulnerable global populations, emphasizing climate resilience, gender equity, and social inclusion.
- Responsibilities - Gathering and analyzing data on migration, conflict, and resource scarcity.
- Collaborating with local communities.
- Documenting findings and recommendations to inform policy and aid interventions.
- Training local partner in research methods and resilience strategies to enhance local expertise and sustainability.
- Project Name: Punjab Resilient and Inclusive Agriculture Transformation
- Project Description: The Punjab Resilient and Inclusive Agriculture Transformation Project aims to enhance equitable access to agricultural water and improve farmers' incomes in Pakistan by World Bank.
- Responsibilities - Study the effectiveness of water conveyance infrastructure.
- Evaluate the impact on water use efficiency and crop productivity.
- Assess project management frameworks.
Hydraulic Design Engineer
MM Pakistan Pvt. Ltd
08.2022 - 04.2023
- Hydrological analysis and feasibility studies for Kurram Tangi Dam and Hydropower project.
- Design of hydropower for a stream.
- Utilizing advanced software tools for simulation and design optimization of hydraulic systems.
- Engineering Consultants
Research Assistant
Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Engineering (CEWRE)
Lahore
04.2022 - 07.2022
- Assisting in ongoing research projects related to hydrology, water management, and engineering solutions for sustainable water resources.
- Collecting field data, conducting laboratory experiments, and performing data analysis using relevant software to support research findings.
- Compiling research data, preparing technical reports, and contributing to publications and presentations.
Operational Manager Agriculture
Pantera Energy Pvt. Ltd
Pakistan
06.2019 - 03.2022
- Overseeing agricultural operations to enhance productivity and sustainability.
- Field experimental trials of water-intensive crops using different irrigation techniques.
- Implementing innovative water management and irrigation techniques to improve crop yields and resource efficiency.
- Leading the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies and practices to optimize irrigation efficiency and crop health.
Field Engineer
ZEUS Energy (Pvt) Ltd
Islamabad
03.2018 - 03.2019
- Installing high-efficiency irrigation systems.
- Commissioning of Solar Site under PIPIP Project.
Intern Engineer
PMAS-Arid Agriculture University
Rawalpindi
02.2017 - 07.2017
- Biogas Generation from Animal Dung and Kitchen Waste.
- Biogas Usage and its Benefits.
Intern Engineer
Institute of Hydroponic Agriculture
Rawat
07.2016 - 09.2016
- Developed CAD models, structural and thermal analyses of greenhouses.
- Studied various aspects of Hydroponics including Irrigation and drainage system.
Education
PhD - Civil, Construction, & Environmental Engineering
The University of Memphis
06.2026
MSc - Water Resource Engineering
University of Engineering and Technology (U.E.T.) Lahore
01.2022
BSc - Agricultural Engineering
PMAS Arid Agriculture University (PMAS-AAU)
01.2017
Skills
- UBCWM (University of British Colombia Watershed Model)
- HEC-HMS (Hydrological Modeling System)
- MODFLOW
- Diver-Field 2022 (Groundwater data monitoring and display)
- HEC-RAS (River Analysis System)
- LI-7x00 A RS DS (Eddy Covariance Flux Measurement Systems)
- SWAT Model
- CMhyd Software (Climate Change for Watershed Modelling)
- Microsoft Office
- Arc GIS
- EXCEL Stat
- Python
- Originlab
- Global Mapper
Languages
English
Urdu
Punjabi
Personal Information
Age: 30
Key Qualifications
My expertise includes hydrological and flood modeling, geographic information systems, environmental pollution and field Instrumentation. Alongside my professional endeavors, I am an avid explorer, currently based in USA, I am eager to apply my skills and passion for environmental dynamics in challenging contexts worldwide, contributing to and learning from diverse environmental landscapes.
Research Publications
- Hydrological response under CMIP6 climate projection in Astore River Basin, Pakistan, Z Ali, M Iqbal, I Khan et al., Journal of Mountain Science, 20, 8, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-022-7872-x
- Appraisal of Landcover and Climate Change Impact on Water Resources: A Case Study of Munda Dam Catchment, Pakistan, MU Masood, M Iqbal, N M Khan, Z Ali, Journal of Water, 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/w15071313
- Evaluation and Mapping of Snow Characteristics Using Remote Sensing Data in Astore River Basin, Pakistan, I.U. Khan, M. Iqbal, Z. Ali, A. B. Arshad, M. Wang, R.M.A. Ikram, Journal of Atmosphere, 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16050550
- Incorporating Dynamic Crop Area in Hydrological Model to Address Interannual Variability in Water Withdrawal and Implication of Sustainable Water Management, M Umer, N Hanasaki, S P Gopalan, Z Ali, T Oki, Journal of Hydrology, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.133778
- Watershed Modeling with Statistical Downscaling of Climate Scenarios: A Case Study of Lahore City Using Climate Model Data for Hydrologic Modeling (CMhyd), Raza, T. et al., 2025, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-7488-6_5
- Future streamflow prediction of Astore River basin using UBC Watershed model, Z Ali, M Iqbal, I Khan, 2022
- Impacts of Climate Change and Land use Land cover Changes at Rawal Dam, M Sharjeel, M U Masood, Z Ali, 2022
Hobbies and Interests
- Environmental Pollution
- Hydrological Modelling
- Water, Food, Energy Nexus
- Climate Change Impact on Water Resources
- Exploring and Traveling
- Hiking
- Photography
- Reading
- Basketball
- Chess
- Badminton
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Cricket
Timeline
Graduate Research Assistant
The University of Memphis
09.2025 - Current
Senior Research Officer - Hydrologist
International Water Management Institute
04.2023 - 08.2025
Hydraulic Design Engineer
MM Pakistan Pvt. Ltd
08.2022 - 04.2023
Research Assistant
Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Engineering (CEWRE)
04.2022 - 07.2022
Operational Manager Agriculture
Pantera Energy Pvt. Ltd
06.2019 - 03.2022
Field Engineer
ZEUS Energy (Pvt) Ltd
03.2018 - 03.2019
Intern Engineer
PMAS-Arid Agriculture University
02.2017 - 07.2017
Intern Engineer
Institute of Hydroponic Agriculture
07.2016 - 09.2016
PhD - Civil, Construction, & Environmental Engineering
The University of Memphis
MSc - Water Resource Engineering
University of Engineering and Technology (U.E.T.) Lahore
BSc - Agricultural Engineering
PMAS Arid Agriculture University (PMAS-AAU)