Dr. Sergio Armando Barbosa, University of Virginia, United States
Sergio Armando Barbosa Casas is a dedicated hydrologist and civil engineer with a strong background in groundwater modeling, hydrodynamics, and environmental sustainability. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Brigham Young University and currently serves as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Virginia. His research focuses on assessing flooding impacts, coastal sustainability, and groundwater resource management using Earth observations and advanced modeling techniques. With over a decade of experience, he has worked with institutions such as IDEAM, CAR, and Aquaveo, contributing to hydrological forecasting, river basin assessments, and flood risk analysis. His work has been published in high-impact journals, and he has presented at global conferences. Fluent in English and Spanish, he actively collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to address climate resilience and water resource challenges. His contributions to academia and research continue to advance sustainable solutions for environmental and hydrological challenges.
Professional Profile
Orcid
Suitability for the “Research for Best Researcher Award” – Sergio Armando Barbosa Casas
Dr. Sergio Armando Barbosa Casas is an exceptionally qualified candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award, given his extensive contributions to hydrology, groundwater modeling, and urban flood risk assessment. His research has significantly advanced the understanding of groundwater resource assessment, particularly in West Africa, through Earth observations and modeling. His Ph.D. dissertation at Brigham Young University was a groundbreaking study on groundwater resource assessment, a critical topic for sustainable water management.
Currently serving as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Virginia, Dr. Barbosa is involved in interdisciplinary research on coastal and urban flooding vulnerabilities, sustainability, and salt intrusion in aquifers. His collaboration with government agencies and stakeholders to develop informed decision-making processes for groundwater management highlights his real-world impact. His prior experience as a hydrologist at IDEAM (Colombian Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies) and a design engineer at CAR (Regional Autonomous Corporation) further demonstrate his expertise in hydrological modeling, flood risk assessment, and environmental sustainability.
🎓 Education
Sergio A. Barbosa Casas earned his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Brigham Young University in 2023, where he conducted groundbreaking research on groundwater resource assessment in West Africa using Earth observations and numerical modeling. His dissertation explored the impact of climate change and human activities on groundwater storage and recharge, providing valuable insights into water management strategies for arid regions. Prior to this, he obtained an M.S. in Civil Engineering from the National University of Colombia in 2014, focusing on water resource management and hydrological modeling. His academic journey began with a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from the same institution in 2009, where he developed expertise in hydraulic systems and watershed management. Throughout his studies, he actively engaged in research projects, collaborated with international teams, and contributed to policy recommendations. His diverse educational background has equipped him with a solid foundation in hydrology, climate resilience, and engineering solutions.
💼 Professional Experience
Sergio A. Barbosa Casas has amassed extensive experience in hydrology, groundwater modeling, and environmental engineering. Currently, he is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Virginia, where he leads research on flooding impacts, coastal resilience, and sustainability. Previously, he was a Research Assistant at Brigham Young University, where he developed groundwater models for major aquifers in West Africa, utilizing remote sensing and field data. His industry experience includes working as an Engineering Intern at Aquaveo, where he created 3D groundwater simulations. Additionally, he served as a Hydrologist at IDEAM in Colombia, leading hydrological forecasting and flood risk assessments. As a Design Engineer at CAR, he developed dynamic models to evaluate water quality in the Bogotá River. His expertise spans across academia, government agencies, and private sectors, making him a well-rounded professional in water resource engineering, flood modeling, and climate adaptation strategies.
🏅 Awards and Recognition
Sergio A. Barbosa Casas has received numerous awards and grants for his contributions to hydrology and environmental engineering. He was awarded the Climate Fellows Postdoctoral Program Fellowship at the University of Virginia in 2024. During his Ph.D., he secured the Civil & Construction Engineering Scholarship Society Award (2019-2022). His research excellence earned him the Bill Stolte Best Student Paper Award at the Canadian Water Resources Association National Conference in 2022. Additionally, he has contributed to prestigious projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), with grants exceeding $5 million. His involvement in the NASA/USAID Research Grant on sustainable groundwater management in West Africa further highlights his global impact. Recognized for his interdisciplinary approach and innovative methodologies, his work continues to shape water resource sustainability and climate resilience. His expertise is sought after in academic and professional circles worldwide.
Sergio A. Barbosa Casas is an expert in hydrological modeling, groundwater resource management, and climate resilience. His research integrates Earth observations, GIS, and remote sensing with hydrodynamic and groundwater modeling tools such as MODFLOW, HEC-RAS, and TUFLOW. He specializes in analyzing flood risks, coastal vulnerabilities, and sustainable water management strategies. His technical skills include numerical simulations, Python programming, and machine learning applications in hydrology. He has worked extensively with stakeholders, translating complex hydrological data into actionable policies. His work on urban flooding, saltwater intrusion, and groundwater sustainability has been published in high-impact journals and presented at global conferences. With a keen interest in data-driven solutions for climate adaptation, he collaborates across disciplines to develop innovative approaches for managing water resources in changing environments. His research continues to influence sustainable development, providing practical solutions for water security challenges.
Publication Top Notes
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Deep learning-based downscaling of global digital elevation models for enhanced urban flood modeling
- Author(s): Zanko Zandsalimi, Sergio A. Barbosa, Negin Alemazkoor, Jonathan L. Goodall, Majid Shafiee-Jood
- Citation: Journal of Hydrology, 2025-06
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.132687
- Year: 2025
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Exploring infiltration effects on coastal urban flooding: Insights from nuisance to extreme events using 2D/1D hydrodynamic modeling and crowdsourced flood reports
- Author(s): Sergio A. Barbosa, Yidi Wang, Jonathan L. Goodall
- Citation: Science of The Total Environment, 2025-03
- DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178908
- Year: 2025
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Exploiting Earth Observations to Enable Groundwater Modeling in the Data-Sparse Region of Goulbi Maradi, Niger
- Author(s): Sergio A. Barbosa, Norman L. Jones, Gustavious P. Williams, Bako Mamane, Jamila Begou, E. James Nelson, Daniel P. Ames
- Citation: Remote Sensing, 2023-11-01
- DOI: 10.3390/rs15215199
- Year: 2023
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Exploiting Earth Observations to Enable Groundwater Modeling in the Data-Sparse Region of Goulbi Maradi, Niger (Preprint)
- Author(s): Sergio A. Barbosa, Norman L. Jones, Gustavious P. Williams, Bako Mamane, Jamila Begou, E. James Nelson, Daniel P. Ames
- Citation: Preprint, 2023-08-30
- DOI: 10.20944/preprints202308.2021.v1
- Year: 2023
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Correction: Barbosa et al. Evaluating Groundwater Storage Change and Recharge Using GRACE Data: A Case Study of Aquifers in Niger, West Africa. Remote Sens. 2022, 14, 1532
- Author(s): Sergio A. Barbosa, Sarva T. Pulla, Gustavious P. Williams, Norman L. Jones, Bako Mamane, Jorge L. Sanchez
- Citation: Remote Sensing, 2023-03-03
- DOI: 10.3390/rs15051435
- Year: 2023