Ola Merhej

Experience

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  Ministry of Local Administration & Environment/ Garden Management

  Jan 2009 - Jan 2015

  Senior Project Manager

  - Coordinated with interdisciplinary teams (engineers, architects) to manage and improve landscape aesthetics and HSSE.- Conducted site inspections, documented planted species, and proposed bioaccumulator species to reduce pollution.- Prepared reports, manuals, and guidelines on landscape issues and managed green infrastructure projects.

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  Move On Computer Center

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2015

  Trainer and Lecturer

  - Trained 5-8 groups/year on satellite image processing software (ERDAS IMAGINE, ENVI, ArcGIS).- Provided ICDL training to over 200 students.- Delivered Microsoft Office applications training to approximately 100 students.

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  General organization of remote sensing

  Jan 2014 - Mar 2021

  Assistant Researcher

  - Led a team of 8 researchers in a project using Machine Learning for land cover classification in Syria.- Mapped forest fires in real-time and analyzed land cover changes using satellite imagery processing.- Supervised a team of engineers applying GIS techniques to assess fire impacts on biodiversity and soil properties.- Trained engineers in ArcMap, Envi, ERDAS Imagine, and Idrisi software for agricultural studies.- Contributed to research projects on drought monitoring, land degradation, and climate change.- Analyzed and managed geographic databases. Show less

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  Engineering Code Center

  Sept 2017 - now

  Professional Freelancer

  - Providing research and writing services to international clients across Europe and the Arabic world (Bahrain, KSA, Palestine), covering diverse scientific disciplines including geography and medicine.- Conducting in-depth research utilizing advanced data analysis techniques, consistently delivering approximately one project per week and meeting deadlines effectively.- Developing specialized expertise in remote sensing and GIS, contributing to 4-5 significant projects annually and demonstrating strong technical proficiency. Show less

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  Tishreen University- Ecology and Forestry Dept.

  Jan 2020 - Jan 2023

  Associated Professor

  - Delivered lectures to 600 students/semester across Biodiversity, Ecology, and Remote Sensing, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills.- Supervised 4 master's students and 15 graduated students (4-6/year), providing guidance and support for effective course operation and student learning.- Published 8 peer-reviewed research papers and presented at national conferences, contributing to the field of Environmental Sciences and securing research funding.

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  General Organization of Remote Sensing

  Mar 2021 - Jan 2022

  Researcher

  - Led a 7-member team using Google Earth Engine for land cover classification in Syria and contributed to the 2020 Forest Fire Damage Assessment Committee.- Mapped forest fires in real-time, analyzed land cover changes using satellite imagery, and supervised a team applying GIS techniques to study fire impacts.- Trained 40 participants (20/course, 2 courses/year) from the Agriculture Directorate in geospatial software (ArcMap, Envi, ERDAS Imagine, Idrisi).

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  General Organization of Remote Sensing

  Dec 2022 - Feb 2025

  Managing Director of the coastal branch of the General Organization of Remote Sensing

  - Overseeing all operations of the Coastal Branch, collaborating with the Head Office on research initiatives and managing ongoing projects.- Cultivating and maintaining relationships with 15 local stakeholders across agriculture, environment, and academia to implement remote sensing projects and training.- Providing leadership and guidance to branch staff, conducting performance evaluations, identifying training needs, and organizing professional development opportunities to achieve organizational goals. Show less

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  Tishreen University

  Sept 2023 - now

  Visiting Assistant Professor

  - Delivering engaging lectures and facilitating discussions in undergraduate and graduate courses, fostering a dynamic learning environment.- Developing and implementing a new introductory course curriculum, increasing enrollment by 30% and course evaluations by 15% within a semester.- Supervising Master's and doctoral students and publishing research in a peer-reviewed journal, enhancing the department's reputation and attracting students and faculty.