National Water Research Center · Cairo, Egypt

Prof. Mohamed Rami Mahmoud

Ph.D., P.E. · Research Professor, National Water Research Center
Ministry of Water Resources & Irrigation, Cairo, Egypt

A leading expert in mathematical modeling for environmental, hydrologic, and agricultural systems — integrating operations research, artificial intelligence, GIS, and remote sensing into water resources management across the Nile Basin and beyond.

Prof. Mohamed Rami Mahmoud, Washington, D.C., 2014

Professional Summary

Water Resources Innovator & Technology Leader

Prof. Mohamed Rami is a leading expert in mathematical modeling for environmental, hydrologic, and agricultural systems. He integrates operations research, GIS, remote sensing, and IT into water resources management. He served as IT Director at Egypt's Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) for over twelve years and as Assistant Minister for Research & Technology (2013–2016).

From 2019 to 2024, he directed the Environmental & Climate Changes Research Institute at NWRC, leading research on climate change impacts on the Nile Basin. He has published 25 research articles in Nature, ASCE, and other top journals, along with 40 scientific reports, and serves as Associate Editor for the Water Science journal.

At a glance

35+ years of experience in water resources
25 peer-reviewed articles · 40 scientific reports
10+ mathematical models developed and applied
Associate Editor, Water Science journal (Taylor & Francis)
Collaborations with UNDP, USAID, World Bank, CIDA, CEDARE

Education

Academic Foundation

1987 — B.Sc. Civil Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
1989 — M.Sc. Computer Science
National Computing Centre & British Computer Society, United Kingdom
1993 — M.Sc. Water Resources
Colorado State University, USA. Thesis: “Decision Support System for Optimal Sizing and Siting of Desalination Facilities”
1995 — Ph.D. Water Resources
Colorado State University, USA. Dissertation: “Multi-criteria Location and Sizing of Water Resources Projects by GIS and Dynamic Programming”
1996–1998 — Advanced Studies
Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden (1996) and Brussels University, Belgium (1998)

Professional Interests

Areas of Expertise

Machine Learning & Big Data

Applications of ML, deep learning, and big data in water resources problems, including artificial neural networks.

Mathematical Modeling

Mathematical programming, simulation modeling, multi-criteria evaluation, and optimization techniques.

Reservoir Operations

Simulation and optimization of reservoir systems, including the Nile Basin and Aswan High Dam.

Hydrology & Climate Change

Assessing climate change impacts on water resources and developing adaptation strategies for the Nile Basin.

GIS & Remote Sensing

Applying geospatial technologies for water resources monitoring, irrigation management, and environmental assessment.

Career Timeline

Work Experience Overview

1987–1995
Early career: System Engineer at NWRC; Graduate Research at Colorado State University
1996–2006
Assistant & Associate Research Professor at NWRC; General Supervisor of MWRI Main Information Center
2006–2013
Research Professor, Head of Central Directorate for Water Resources; UNDP Consultant in Saudi Arabia
2013–2016
Assistant Minister for Research & Technology, MWRI, Cairo, Egypt
2016–2019
Research Professor at NWRC; CEDARE Regional Water Specialist
2019–Present
Director, Environmental & Climate Changes Research Institute (2019–2024); Research Professor, NWRC (2024–present)

Leadership

Three Decades of Public Service

Assistant Minister for Research & Technology

MWRI, Cairo · 2013–2016

Led the development of simulation and optimization models for Nile reservoirs, advanced remote sensing–based mathematical models, and pioneered desalination technology to address water supply–demand gaps in remote areas.

Supervised the national irrigation and drainage information system
Oversaw satellite imagery analysis for Nile River monitoring
Spearheaded water management policy reform initiatives
Led international compliance and water rights negotiations

Director, Environmental & Climate Changes Research Institute

NWRC · 2019–2024

Research agenda: oversaw ECRI’s research on climate change impacts and adaptation strategies for water resources, agriculture, and the environment.
Budget & operations: led planning and implementation of the annual research budget and all technical, financial, and administrative operations.
International collaboration: facilitated partnerships with domestic and international organizations.
Capacity building: strategized training programs for research staff.

Research Professor at NWRC

2024–Present

Member of the highest-ranking scientific committee at NWRC, evaluating tenure-track faculty and promoting candidates to Associate and Full Professor. Associate Editor for Water Science, published by Taylor & Francis.

Leverage advanced AI and climate modeling for water resources management
Develop simulation and optimization models for Nile reservoirs
Integrate climate projections and AI analytics into decision support tools
Design and deliver training on water resources systems analysis

Mathematical Models

Technical Achievements in Modeling

Over three decades, Prof. Rami developed a suite of mathematical models used nationally and internationally for water resources management.

NB-Sim

Nile Basin Simulation model for reservoirs including the High Aswan Dam (HAD) and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

HAD-Opt & HAD-Sim

Optimization and simulation models for the High Aswan Dam, tested with 49 years of historical inflow data (1968–2017).

MCEWR

Multi-Criteria Evaluation for Water Resources tool using ELECTRE, AHP, PROMETHEE, and other methods. Used in California and Egypt.

HDDP

High Dimensional Dynamic Programming model solving problems with up to 12 decision and 12 state variables over 30 years.

OSSDF & ESMGWP

DSS for optimal desalination facility siting and an expert system generating water supply/demand scenarios for Egypt using 100+ rules.

International Consulting

Global Consultancy & Project Leadership

UNDP — Saudi Arabia

2010–2011

Water Resource Management Consultant for the Integrated Water Resource Management Project, reviewing studies and building national staff capacity.

King Abdullah Institute — KSA

2010–2012

Assessed dam operations across Saudi Arabia; built optimization models for Byash, King Fahd, and Al-Aqiq watershed reservoirs.

USAID / IRG — Egypt

2003–2010

Senior Information Specialist for Integrated Water Management Districts; established GIS and IT systems for MWRI.

World Bank

2008

IT/Database Expert developing a web-based PPP water portal and database framework for Arab Water Council member countries.

Scott Wilson Group — Iran

2006–2007

Built deterministic and stochastic optimization models for the Dez and Karun reservoir system (7 connected reservoirs).

Grant Awards

Funded Research Projects

Smart Water Data Logger

USD 200,000 · NTRA, Egypt · 2014–2017

Designed a water resources information system integrated with a locally developed data logger and DSS for smart management.

Remote Sensing for Soil Salinity & ET

USD 200,000 · U.S.–Egypt Joint Board · 2011–2013

Used remote sensing to estimate soil salinity and evapotranspiration in the Nile Delta to improve irrigation efficiency.

Water Quality Monitoring — Nile Delta

EUR 200,000 · Italian–Egyptian Program · 2009–2011

Explored remote sensing and hyperspectral imaging to improve water quality monitoring along Nile Delta waterways.

EMWIS National Focal Point — Egypt

EUR 265,557 · Italian Embassy / EU · 2006–2009

Established Egypt’s national focal point for the Euro-Mediterranean Water Information System with capacity building and a data web-server.

Recognition

Academic & Professional Awards

Academic Awards

Creativity & Innovation in Water, Arab Water Council, 2026
State Recognition Award for Engineering Sciences, National Academy for Scientific Research and Technology, 2008–2009
Best Research Paper in Integrated Water Resources Management, Ministry of Higher Education, 2008
Best Research in Water Resources Development and Management, NWRC, 2003
Best Research Paper, “Dr. Ibrahim El-Asuity Award,” National Academy for Scientific Research and Technology, 1999
Best Research Paper in Irrigation and Drainage, ICID “Hassan Ismail Award,” Granada, Spain, 1999
Best Ph.D. Paper, American Geophysical Union, Hydrology Days, Colorado State University, 1995

Professional Awards

Best General Manager, MWRI, 2004
Best Information Center Director, Egyptian Cabinet IDSC, 2002

Nomination

Nominated for the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (Alternative Water Resources), 2004–2006

Publications

Selected Research Articles

Prof. Rami has published 25 research articles in leading journals including Scientific Reports (Nature), ASCE, Elsevier, Taylor & Francis, and Wiley, and serves as Associate Editor for Water Science.

Environmental Coherence Framework

Scientific Reports, Nature · Vol. 16 · 2026

Multi-sensor remote sensing for water hyacinth assessment in Lake Tana.

Read the article →

Northern Sea Route Navigation

Scientific Reports, Nature · Vol. 14 · 2024

Potential benefits of climate change on Arctic navigation by 2050.

Read the article →

GERD Failure Impact

Journal of Flood Risk Management, Wiley · Vol. 15 · 2022

Potential impact of failure of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on downstream countries.

Read the article →

Desalination Siting with GIS

J. Water Resources Planning & Management, ASCE · Vol. 128 · 2002

Multicriteria siting and sizing of desalination facilities with GIS.

Read the article →

Multi-Criteria Evaluation

Environmental Modelling & Software, Elsevier · Vol. 15 · 2000

Comparison of multi-criteria evaluation methods for the Red Bluff Diversion Dam.

Read the article →

Water Science Journal Archive

Digital archive · 1986–2012

A digital archive of the Water Science journal’s early volumes, built and maintained by Prof. Rami. Guest access: username guest, password guest.

Visit the archive →

Full publication list →

Teaching

Teaching Experience

Python Programming in Water Resources — National Water Research Center, Egypt, 2022
Hazard Assessment Using Spatial Analysis — international short course, Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, Cairo, 2016–2019
Integrated Water Resources Management — international short course, Nile Basin Initiative, Cairo, January 2010

Reservoir Operations: Simulation & Optimization — graduate course, Cairo University, 2001–2009
Application of GIS for Water Resources Management — graduate course, Cairo University, 2003–2009
Remote Sensing for Water Resources — international short course, AWC/NASA, Istanbul, Turkey, March 2009

Many of these lectures are available online as interactive presentations.

Open my lectures & presentations →

Global Engagement

Conferences & Keynote Addresses

Recent Keynote Highlights

2024 — Keynote, 3rd International Symposium on Agriculture and Water Research, AUC, Cairo
2023 — Keynote, Cairo Water Week 6: “History, Present & Future of AI in Water Resources Management”
2022 — Speaker, COP27 UN Climate Change Conference, Sharm El-Sheikh
2022 — Session Chairman, Cairo Water Week 5: “Water, Climate Change, and Future Cooperation”
2020 — Keynote, Cairo Water Week 3: “Climate Change in Arid Countries”
2018 — Keynote, World Water Forum 8, Brasilia: “Open Source and Big Data for Water Use Efficiency”

International Forums Attended

World Water Forum 3, 4, 5, 8 (Kyoto, Mexico, Istanbul, Brasilia)
ICOLD Annual Meeting, Bali, Indonesia, 2014
Water Diplomacy Workshop, Harvard & MIT, Boston, 2014
Global Water & Climate Initiative, Colorado State University, 2016
ICID International Congresses (1996, 1999, 2005, 2007)
UN Transboundary Water Resources Roundtable, Rome, 2012

Certifications

Certified Consultant & Professional Affiliations

Irrigation & Drainage

Certified Consultant, Egyptian Engineers Syndicate, Civil Engineering Branch, August 2003.

Remote Sensing & GIS

Certified Consultant, Egyptian Engineers Syndicate, Civil Engineering Branch, March 2005.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Certified Consultant, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, November 2019.

Key Professional Memberships

Member, Scientific Committee & Board of Directors, NWRC (2019–2025)
Associate Editor, Water Science journal, Taylor & Francis (2015–present)
Member, Tripartite National Committee for the GERD Dam (Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia), 2014–2015
Member, National Committee of Cybersecurity, Ministry of Communication, 2014–2021
Steering Committee, Regional Knowledge Network on Water (RKNOW), EU, 2014–2016
National Focal Point, Euro-Mediterranean Water Information System (EMWIS), EU, 2000–2010

Technical Skills

Computer & Technical Skills

Programming Languages

Python, C++, C, R, VB.Net, FORTRAN, HTML, Pascal, PROLOG

GIS & Remote Sensing

ArcGIS, ERDAS, ENVI, TerrSet

Databases

MySQL, Oracle (SQL/PL, Developer), ACCESS

Operating Systems & Networking

MS-Windows, Linux, UNIX; Microsoft Networking, CISCO, NOVELL

Academic & Modeling Software

MATLAB, GAMS, Mathematica, WMS, HEC-ResSim, WEAP, MODSIM, LINDO/LINGO, SPSS, Alyuda NeuroIntelligence, FlowMaster, Cropwat, and more

Other Software

AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Golden Software Grapher, PHP-Runner, Serif Applications

Academic & Professional Training

Continuous Learning & Development

Water Diplomacy — Harvard Law School, Boston, USA (2014). Sponsored by MWRI Egypt; Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School.
Information Systems in Water Resources — Brussels University, Belgium (1997–1998). Sponsored by the Belgian Administration for Development Cooperation and UNESCO; Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
Municipal Water Supply & Wastewater Management — Chalmers University, Sweden (1996–1997). Two-part program sponsored by SIDA, conducted in Sweden and Jordan.
Innovation in Treated Wastewater Re-use — UNESCO-IHE, Tunisia (2012). Focused on adoptable technologies for wastewater re-use, aquifer recharge, and desalination.