Fethi Lachaal | Water Resources | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fethi Lachaal | Water Resources | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fethi Lachaal, Borj Cedria Water Research and Technology Center, Tunisia

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fethi Lachaal, is a distinguished hydrogeologist with over two decades of expertise in groundwater management, hydrogeophysics, and water resources sustainability. He currently serves as Maître de Conférences at the Laboratoire de Géoressources, Centre des Recherches et des Technologies des Eaux (CERTE), under the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Tunisia. Dr. Lachaal earned his Habilitation Universitaire in Geological Sciences in 2018 from the University of Carthage, focusing on sustainable aquifer management and remediation, following his PhD in Agricultural Sciences, specializing in Rural Engineering, Water, and Forests, in 2011. His academic journey also includes a Master’s degree in Hydraulic and Rural Development and a National Engineering Diploma in Geosciences. Professionally, he has held progressive roles as researcher and engineer in hydrogeology, contributing significantly to Tunisia’s water management projects and policy development. His research interests encompass groundwater modeling, solute transport, artificial aquifer recharge, marine intrusion, soil and water depollution, and the reuse of treated wastewater, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. With more than 22 scientific publications, 366 citations, and an H-index of 11, he has contributed substantially to advancing hydrogeological knowledge both nationally and internationally. His notable works include studies on drought impacts, aquifer recharge, and innovative contaminant management strategies using biochar. Actively engaged in the Laboratoire Mixte International NAÏLA, he collaborates on sustainable rural water resource management. Dr. Lachaal’s career reflects a blend of academic excellence, applied research, and international collaboration in advancing water sustainability.

Profile:  Scopus  |  ORCID

Featured Publications

Lachaal, F., Duporte, G., Leduc, C., & Gomez, E. (2025). Combining piezometry, isotopes, and emerging contaminants to assess aquifer recharge operation: Case studies of Korba and Kairouan sites (Northeast and Central Tunisia). Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 101514.

Neji, M., Chargui, S., Lachaal, F., Hammecker, C., & Grunberger, O. (2025). The effect of prolonged drought on a coastal aquifer in water scarcity regions: A case study of Lebna (Cap Bon, Northeast Tunisia). Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 101462.

Hammecker, C., Maalaoui, H., Hmaied, A., & Lachaal, F. (2024). Improvement of contaminant retention with the use of biochar in the groundwater infiltration basin of Korba (Tunisia). EGUsphere, EGU24-11014.

Lachaal, F., Azaiez, H., Bruni, R., Gabtni, H., & Bedir, M. (2023). Aquifer structuring and hydrogeological investigation in North African regions using geophysical methods: Case study of the aquifer system in the Kairouan Plain (Central Tunisia). In Regional Geology Reviews

Lachaal, F., Baudron, P., Leduc, C., Mohamed, A. S., Zeddouri, A., Hadj-Said, S., Leblanc, M., Tweed, S., & García Aróstegui, J. L. (2022). A not-so-paradoxical groundwater rise in semi-arid environments. Proceedings of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences, 486, 1–9

Aidi Huo | Water Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Aidi Huo | Water Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Chang’an University, China

Dr. Aidi Huo is a Professor of Hydrology and Water Resources at Chang’an University, China. With a distinguished academic and research career, he specializes in hydrology, remote sensing, and ecological modeling. Dr. Huo has made impactful contributions to watershed modeling, groundwater-surface water interaction, and flood risk assessment. He has collaborated internationally, including as a visiting scholar at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. An active member of the Sustainable Water and Environment Management Research Group (SWEM), he has published extensively in high-impact journals and plays a key role in advancing sustainable water management and environmental protection strategies. 🌍📚🔬

Publication Profile📚

Google Scholar

Academic Background🎓

Dr. Aidi Huo earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Northwest A&F University (2008), with a thesis on aeolian desertification monitoring using MODIS data. He obtained his Master’s degree in Remote Sensing and GIS from Shaanxi Normal University in 2005, and his Bachelor’s degree in Soil and Water Conservation from Northwest A&F University in 1996. His interdisciplinary academic background bridges environment, technology, and hydrological sciences, equipping him with strong capabilities in applying geospatial technologies to environmental and water resource issues. 📘🛰️🌱

Professional Experience💼

Dr. Huo currently serves as Professor at the School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University (2018–present). Previously, he was Associate Professor (2011–2018) and Lecturer (2008–2011) in the Hydrology and Water Resources Department. He was also a visiting scholar at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2014–2015), where he focused on watershed hydrological modeling. Throughout his career, Dr. Huo has led numerous national and international projects related to hydrology, ecological modeling, and remote sensing applications. His extensive academic service and mentorship have significantly contributed to the advancement of water resource sciences in China and beyond. 🏫🌐📈

Awards and Honors🏅

Dr. Aidi Huo is a recognized member of the Sustainable Water and Environment Management Research Group (SWEM), actively collaborating on interdisciplinary environmental projects. While specific individual awards are not listed, his prolific publication record in top-tier journals and involvement in national research initiatives reflect his academic excellence and leadership. His roles in collaborative projects and editorial contributions further underscore his respected status within the hydrology and environmental science communities. 🏆🔗🌎

Research Focus🔍

Dr. Huo’s research spans hydrology, remote sensing, and environmental modeling. His core interests include river-groundwater interactions, watershed hydrological modeling, groundwater numerical simulation, and remote sensing for ecological assessments. He focuses on arid and semi-arid regions, addressing flood risks, water utilization, and habitat quality under climate change. His interdisciplinary approach combines GIS, remote sensing, and numerical models to develop sustainable solutions for water and ecosystem management. His work bridges theory and practice, providing scientific insights that inform policymaking and regional planning. 💧📊🌳

Publication Top Notes🔗

📘 Urban flood numerical simulation: Research, methods and future perspectives
📅 Year: 2022 | 📊 Cited by: 171

🌧️ Impact of temporal rainfall patterns on flash floods in Hue City, Vietnam
📅 Year: 2021 | 📊 Cited by: 117

⚠️ Heavy metals in water and surface sediments of the Fenghe River Basin, China: Assessment and source analysis
📅 Year: 2021 | 📊 Cited by: 107

🏙️ A bibliometric analysis of the research on Sponge City: Current situation and future development direction
📅 Year: 2021 | 📊 Cited by: 88

Conclusion

Professor Aidi Huo is an accomplished scholar and leading expert in hydrology, water resources, remote sensing, and environmental modeling, with a distinguished academic background including a Ph.D. in remote sensing and desertification monitoring. Currently a full professor at Chang’an University, he has demonstrated a consistent and impactful research trajectory, with over 40 high-quality publications in top-tier journals from 2019 to 2024. His work integrates advanced technologies such as AI, remote sensing, and hydrological modeling to address pressing environmental issues like flood risk, soil erosion, and ecosystem evolution. His international collaborations, applied research contributions, and innovative methodologies make him a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.