Maryam Bayatvarkeshi is a researcher at the University of Waterloo, Canada, specializing in water science, hydrology, and environmental sustainability. She holds dual Ph.D. degrees in Geography–Water from the University of Waterloo and in Agricultural Hydrology from Bu-Ali Sina University. Her research focuses on hydroclimatic processes, peatland restoration, and sustainable irrigation practices, integrating field measurements with modeling approaches. She has teaching and research experience in both Iran and Canada, with expertise spanning hydrology, GIS, water resource management, and environmental data analysis. Recognized with awards such as the RBC Water Scholars Graduate Entrance Scholarship and best thesis and presentation honors, she continues to contribute to advancing water and environmental sciences through research, teaching, and professional service.
Summary
Dr. Bayatvarkeshi has established herself as a promising researcher with a strong foundation in soil-water science, hydrology, and environmental sustainability. Her academic excellence, publication record, and international teaching experience highlight her as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With a track record of recognition and an expanding research portfolio, she is well-placed to make continued contributions to both science and society.
Education
Dr. Maryam Bayatvarkeshi holds dual doctoral degrees, one in Geography–Water from the University of Waterloo with a research emphasis on hydroclimatic influences of seismic line disturbances, and another in Agricultural Hydrology from Bu-Ali Sina University, where she studied nitrogen-nano fertilizer effects on nitrate movement in soil. She also earned her master’s degree in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering at Bu-Ali Sina University with a focus on applying Neuro-Fuzzy inference systems and artificial neural networks for estimating crop evapotranspiration, following a bachelor’s degree in Water Engineering from the same institution. In addition, she has received specialized training in pedagogy with a Certificate in University Teaching from the University of Waterloo.
Experience
Dr. Bayatvarkeshi has served as an assistant professor at the University of Malayer, where she taught a range of hydrology, irrigation, meteorology, and water resource management courses. She has continued her teaching journey in Canada as a sessional instructor and teaching assistant at the University of Waterloo, covering topics from map design and applied statistics to hydroclimatology, urban stormwater management, and geographic information systems. She also works as a tutor at Varsity Tutors, teaching statistics to undergraduate and graduate students. Her research assistantship roles at the University of Waterloo include projects on the socio-economic impacts of mining in Africa and on Canadian peatland carbon stocks and greenhouse gas exchanges.
Research Focus
Dr. Bayatvarkeshi has strong expertise in hydrology, irrigation and drainage systems, water resource management, geographic information systems, hydroclimatology, and remote sensing. She has hands-on field experience in deploying meteorological stations, conducting snow surveys, and measuring hydrological components in both peatland and agricultural systems. In addition, she is skilled in environmental data modeling, statistical analysis, and integrating artificial intelligence approaches in agricultural and water sciences.
Awards
Her academic excellence has been recognized with multiple honors, including the prestigious RBC Water Scholars Graduate Entrance Scholarship at the University of Waterloo, the best oral presentation award at the Environment Graduate Students Association conference, and the best thesis award in a national competition in Iran for Agriculture and Natural Resources. She has consistently ranked among the top students throughout her academic career, holding second position in her bachelor’s program and first position in both her master’s and doctoral studies.