Machine Learning in Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences

Dr. Hossein Bonakdari is a distinguished professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Ottawa, specializing in mathematical modeling and artificial intelligence (AI). A leading expert in AI-driven data analysis, he has pioneered advanced algorithms for real-time forecasting and big data interpretation, significantly improving the understanding and management of environmental systems. Dr. Bonakdari has authored four books, published over 320 peer-reviewed journal articles, contributed to more than 20 book chapters, and delivered over 100 presentations at national and international conferences. As a respected editorial board member of several leading journals, he continues to shape research in his field. His groundbreaking contributions have earned him global recognition, ranking him among the top 2% of the world's scientists from 2019 to 2024.Isa Ebtehaj is a PhD student in the Soil and Environment department at the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, Laval University, Canada. He obtained his MSc degree from Razi University in 2014 and his MSc thesis was nominated as the best thesis by the Iranian Water and Wastewater Engineering Association, the Iranian Hydraulic Association, and the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology (Iran). His fields of specialization and interest include machine learning, development of hybrid model methods, evolutionary optimization, hydrological time series, and sediment transport. From 2014 to 2019, he participated as a researcher in several industrial research projects through the Water and Wastewater Research Center and the Environmental Research Center, Razi University. Results obtained from his research studies have been published in more than 100 papers in international journals. He also has more than 30 presentations at national and international conferences and has published eight book chapters.Joseph Ladouceur is a current PhD Student at the University of Ottawa. Having completed his BASc in civil engineering at the University of Ottawa with Summa Cum Laude distinction, Joseph fast-tracked to the PhD program under the supervision of Dr. Roberto Narbaitz and Dr. Christopher Lan. A previous NSERC CGS-M award holder, his research interests are focused on pre-treatment strategies for drinking water. Prior to commencing his doctoral studies, Joseph worked as a senior inspector at McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers Ltd. performing services on provincial bridge infrastructure projects. Joseph is a registered EIT with Professional Engineers Ontario and a member of the American Water Works Association.