Dr. Elmira Hassanzadeh is passionate about understanding how aquatic systems respond to a rapidly changing world. Her interdisciplinary research bridges climate science, hydrology, ecosystem restoration, and policy to develop adaptation strategies for natural-human water systems, particularly under conditions of environmental uncertainty.
At UNU-INWEH, Dr. Hassanzadeh leads the institute's initiatives in Integrated Aquatic Systems Analytics, with a focus on wetlands and lakes management under evolving natural and anthropogenic pressures. Her work integrates water quantity–quality modeling, climate change impact assessment, and stakeholder engagement to foster resilient communities.
In addition to her role at UNU-INWEH, Dr. Hassanzadeh is an Associate Professor at the Department of Civil, Geological, and Mining Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal. She earned her PhD at the University of Saskatchewan and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University, before joining Polytechnique. She has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and trained more than 30 highly qualified researchers. Her research team has developed innovative frameworks that inform transboundary water management efforts across North America, the Middle East, and Central Africa. She remains deeply committed to promoting STEM, bridging the science-policy gap, and inspiring the next generation of researchers.