Mr. Luis Casallas at Flinders University, Colombia
Luis Camilo Suescún Casallas is a senior hydrogeologist and PhD candidate at Flinders University, specializing in groundwater modeling and uncertainty analysis for mine closure. With over 12 years of experience at DHI Group, he has led projects across Latin America and Europe in mining, oil and gas, and infrastructure. He is an expert in FEFLOW, inverse modeling, and Python automation. Vice President of IAH LATAM, he has received multiple awards and developed tools like TunWaterFlow. He co-authored Colombia’s national tunneling manual and actively contributes to global hydrogeology education through The Groundwater Project and international conferences.
📚Professional Profile
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🎓Academic Background
Luis Camilo Suescún Casallas holds a degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s in Water Resources from the National University of Colombia, where he graduated with Laureate distinction. He is currently pursuing a PhD at Flinders University, focusing on uncertainty analysis in groundwater modeling for mine closure. His academic journey is supported by over a decade of professional experience in hydrogeology, combining theoretical research with practical applications. His education has provided a strong foundation in numerical modeling, sensitivity analysis, and groundwater resource management, allowing him to lead innovative projects and contribute meaningfully to international hydrogeological initiatives.
💼Professional Experience
Luis Camilo Suescún Casallas has over 12 years of professional experience as a hydrogeologist and senior modeler with DHI Group, where he has led more than 50 consultancy and industry projects across Latin America and Europe. His work spans mining, oil and gas, infrastructure, and groundwater management, with expertise in FEFLOW, PEST, Python-based automation, and 3D geological modeling. He has developed tools like TunWaterFlow and contributed to Colombia’s national tunneling manual. As Vice President of IAH LATAM, he plays a key role in regional collaboration, education, and outreach, combining technical excellence with leadership in sustainable water resource development.
🏅Awards and Honors
Luis Camilo Suescún Casallas has received multiple awards recognizing his contributions to hydrogeology and groundwater research. His accolades include the Best Poster Award at the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) Conference in 2016, the Machín de Oro from the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in 2018, and the Best Groundwater Photo award at Davos in 2024. He was also honored with the Laureate Thesis Award in 2016 for academic excellence. These recognitions highlight his innovative work in predictive modeling, tunnel hydrology, and mine closure, and reflect his commitment to advancing groundwater science and sustainable water management.
🔬Research Focus
Luis Camilo Suescún Casallas focuses his research on groundwater modeling, hydrogeology, and water resource management, with an emphasis on uncertainty and sensitivity analysis, inverse modeling, and mine closure. His work integrates advanced numerical tools such as FEFLOW, PEST, and Python-based automation to improve predictive simulations in fractured media, pit lake formation, dewatering systems, and tunnel inflows. He has contributed to conceptual and 3D geological modeling across diverse geological settings. His current PhD research at Flinders University aims to enhance reliability in groundwater predictions for mine closure planning, bridging the gap between scientific innovation and real-world environmental challenges.
📑Publication Top Notes
📘 Analytical and numerical modeling for predicting and calibrating infiltration flows in underground tunnels. Case studies: Colombia, France/Italy, and Spain
📅 Year: 2016
📊 Cited by: 1
🏆Conclusion
Luis Camilo Suescún Casallas is an outstanding candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award, bringing over 12 years of experience in hydrogeology, groundwater modeling, and water resources management. As a PhD candidate at Flinders University and Senior Hydrogeologist at DHI Group, he has led more than 50 major projects across Latin America and Europe, developed innovative tools like TunWaterFlow, and contributed to national engineering guidelines. Recognized with multiple international awards, he is also a committed scientific communicator, translator, and conference organizer. His leadership roles in IAH and contributions to The Groundwater Project reflect his deep commitment to advancing sustainable hydrological science globally.