Mr. Varoujan Sissakian | Planetary Sciences | Research Excellence Award
Mr. Varoujan Sissakian, Kmoar University of Science and Technology, Iraq
Dr. Varoujan Sissakian, born on October 9, 1949, in Baghdad, is a distinguished geologist with a legacy spanning over four decades in the field of Earth and planetary sciences. He earned his B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Baghdad in 1969 and an M.Sc. in Engineering Geological Mapping from I.T.C., the Netherlands, in 1982. He began his prolific career at the Iraq Geological Survey (GEOSURV) in 1971, where he was later designated as an Expert in 2004 until his retirement in 2012. With an impressive record of 125 internal geological reports and over 270 scientific publications, Dr. Sissakian has profoundly impacted geological mapping, stratigraphy, and hazard assessment. His contributions include several foundational geological maps of Iraq and the Asian continent. He is a globally respected figure in planetary science and geoscience education and research, contributing to both practical applications and scholarly excellence.
Profile
Suitability for Research for Research Excellence Award: Varoujan Sissakian
Varoujan Sissakian stands out as an exceptionally qualified candidate for the Research for Research Excellence Award owing to his lifelong dedication and prolific contributions to the field of geology, particularly within the context of Iraq and broader regional geology. With a strong educational foundation — a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Baghdad and an M.Sc. in Engineering Geological Mapping from I.T.C., Netherlands — he has demonstrated both technical expertise and international academic rigor.
His extensive career at the Iraq Geological Survey (GEOSURV), spanning over four decades, is marked by a wealth of practical and academic accomplishments. He produced 125 official geological reports and an impressive 272 published scientific papers in Iraqi and international journals, reflecting sustained scholarly productivity and impact. Furthermore, he has multiple manuscripts under review, indicating ongoing active research engagement.
🎓 Education
Dr. Varoujan Sissakian’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Baghdad in 1969, where he developed his foundational understanding of Earth sciences. His drive for specialized expertise led him to the International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences (I.T.C.) in the Netherlands, where he earned a Master of Science in Engineering Geological Mapping in 1982. This education refined his skills in structural geology, stratigraphy, and tectonics, laying the groundwork for his contributions to large-scale geological mapping. The rigorous training at both institutions equipped him with the theoretical and technical knowledge necessary to address complex geological challenges and execute national mapping projects. His international academic exposure and multidisciplinary training have played a pivotal role in his successful integration of geological survey methods with modern cartographic and geospatial tools.
💼 Professional Experience
Dr. Sissakian’s professional career spans over 40 years with the Iraq Geological Survey (GEOSURV), beginning on November 13, 1971. He was appointed as a Geological Expert in 2004, a title reflecting his senior status and contributions to national geological mapping. During his tenure, he authored 125 internal reports, published over 270 scientific articles, and played a key role in the production of Iraq’s most critical geological maps, including the 3rd and 4th editions of the national geological map and hazard mapping initiatives. His professional portfolio also includes leading the preparation of 9 geological maps at a 1:250,000 scale and drafting nine technical work procedures for GEOSURV. Dr. Sissakian’s knowledge has been instrumental in projects covering stratigraphy, neotectonics, geological hazards, and site investigations, making him a cornerstone of Iraq’s geoscientific infrastructure and an authority in Middle Eastern Earth sciences.
🏅 Awards and Recognition
Dr. Varoujan Sissakian is a globally acknowledged geologist, celebrated for his extensive scientific output and cartographic contributions. His name appears on the Geological Map of the World for the Asian continent, a testament to his international standing in geological sciences. Recognized by the Iraq Geological Survey as a national expert, he contributed significantly to over 36 national quadrangle maps and thematic maps including neotectonics and geological hazards. His scholarly output—comprising 272 published papers—has earned him recognition in both Iraqi and international academic circles. Furthermore, his detailed geological maps are widely referenced and used for policy-making, urban development, and disaster preparedness. With consistent contributions across five decades, his work continues to inform and inspire the geological community. His Google Scholar and LinkedIn profiles reflect a lifelong dedication to geoscience, cementing his place among the most impactful figures in the realm of planetary and Earth sciences.
🌍 Research Skill On Planetary Sciences
Dr. Sissakian’s research expertise lies at the intersection of geological mapping, stratigraphy, tectonics, and natural hazards, making him a multidisciplinary force in planetary sciences. His technical proficiency spans analog and digital cartography, structural geology interpretation, and engineering geology. His research has explored neotectonics, fault mechanics, and sedimentology in complex terrains like the Zagros Fold Belt and Mesopotamian Plain. His approach emphasizes integrating fieldwork with satellite remote sensing and GIS-based analysis, contributing to high-resolution geological and hazard maps of Iraq. As a co-author of geological frameworks used in academic and industrial projects, Dr. Sissakian has influenced resource exploration, infrastructure planning, and seismic risk mitigation. His ability to produce scientifically rigorous and policy-relevant outputs illustrates his unique blend of analytical, field-based, and interpretive skills. With over 270 publications and hundreds of internal reports, his research legacy stands as a foundation for future advancements in geoscience and planetary mapping.
Publication Top Notes
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Title: (Arabic) Classification and Ranking of Geological Hazards in Iraq
Author: VK Sissakian
Citation: 2
Year: 2006 -
Title: The Origin of Amadiya Plateau, Dohuk Governorate, North Iraq (Scientific Note)
Authors: VK Sissakian, SF Fouad
Citation: 6
Year: 2011 -
Title: A Comparative Study of Mosul and Haditha Dams, Iraq: Geological Conditions
Authors: VK Sissakian, N Adamo, N Al-Ansari, S Knutsson, J Laue, M Elagely
Citation: 16
Year: 2018 -
Title: A Reconnaissance Survey for Basalt Occurrence in the Western Part of Iraq
Author: VK Sissakian
Citation: –
Year: 2001 -
Title: Age Estimation of Alqosh Main Landslide, North Iraq Using Exposure Dating Method
Authors: VK Sissakian, BR Jabbo, N Al-Ansari, S Knutsson
Citation: 2
Year: 2016 -
Title: Age Estimation of Qara Chattan Landslide, Using Exposure Dating Method, Sulaimaniyah, Northeast Iraq
Authors: VK Sissakian, SA Sidiq, GK Haris, N Al-Ansari, S Knutsson
Citation: 1
Year: 2016 -
Title: Age Estimation of Qash Qooly Valley in Dokan Vicinity, North Iraq Using Exposure Age Determination Method
Authors: SK Varoujan Sissakian, Nadhir Al-Ansari
Citation: 3
Year: 2015 -
Title: Al-Batin Alluvial Fan, Southern Iraq
Authors: VK Sissakian, AT Shihab, N Al-Ansari, S Knutsson
Citation: 31
Year: 2014 -
Title: Alluvial Fans of Sinjar Mountain, NW Iraq
Author: VK Sissakian
Citation: 25
Year: 2011 -
Title: Alluvial Fans of the Hab’bariyah Depression, Iraqi Western Desert
Authors: VK Sissakian, MFA Jab’bar
Citation: 9
Year: 2013
Dr. José Antonio Sillero Medina, University of Málaga, Spain
Dr. José Antonio Sillero Medina, Summary of Suitability for the Award:
Education
Professional Experience
Awards and Recognition
Research Skills On 
Publication Top Notes