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Ayman Alafifi

Ayman Alafifi

Environmental Engineer

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location of Ayman AlafifiAustin, Texas Metropolitan Area

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Technical Lead - Innovation | PhD, P.E.

  • Education

    • Islamic University - Gaza

      2003 - 2008
      Bachelor of Science (BSc) Civil Engineering Excellent with Honor - First of Class

      Activities and Societies: Engineering Student Club GPA 95%, Excellent with Honors, First of class (of 280 students). Senior Graduation Project: 'Early Cost Estimation for Engineering Projects using Artificial Neural Networks Modeling. The project received top mark of 95 (Excellent with honor) and was awarded the best graduation project in the Civil Engineering Department for the year 2008.

    • Stellenbosch University/Universiteit Stellenbosch

      2006 - 2006
      Summer School Intercultural Communication to Achieve Global Sustainable Development

      Activities and Societies: UN Habitat for Humanity International Program with international students exploring the struggle of South Africa to achieve economic development and social justice in the post-apartheid era

    • Universität Erfurt

      2007 - 2007
      Summer School Muslims in the West

      The Summer School focused on three topics: 1. Analysis of historical encounters and mutual perceptions between Muslims and “Christian Europe”, 2. The European Union, its structures, goals and proclaimed values. Particular emphasis was laid on the role of religion in the self-perception of the EU and its positioning vis-à-vis Islam. 3. The presence of Muslims in the European public sphere in areas of education, law, and political participation with a focus on the image of Islam in… Show more The Summer School focused on three topics: 1. Analysis of historical encounters and mutual perceptions between Muslims and “Christian Europe”, 2. The European Union, its structures, goals and proclaimed values. Particular emphasis was laid on the role of religion in the self-perception of the EU and its positioning vis-à-vis Islam. 3. The presence of Muslims in the European public sphere in areas of education, law, and political participation with a focus on the image of Islam in mass media and its development. Show less

    • Utah State University

      2012 - 2017
      Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Environmental and Water Resources Engineering 4.0

      Activities and Societies: Engineers without Borders, Water Environment Federation • Cumulative GPA: 4.0• Recipient of graduate research assistantship in the Utah Water Research Laboratory• Graduate researcher and assistant to the Bear River Fellowship Program.• Recipient of the following scholarships and awards:»»» 2016 1st place, American Water Resources Association (AWRA) – Utah Section Student Paper Competition »»» 2015: 2nd place, American Water Works Association (AWWA) - Intermountain Section Paper Competition»»» 2014 to 2016: 1st place, WEAU… Show more • Cumulative GPA: 4.0• Recipient of graduate research assistantship in the Utah Water Research Laboratory• Graduate researcher and assistant to the Bear River Fellowship Program.• Recipient of the following scholarships and awards:»»» 2016 1st place, American Water Resources Association (AWRA) – Utah Section Student Paper Competition »»» 2015: 2nd place, American Water Works Association (AWWA) - Intermountain Section Paper Competition»»» 2014 to 2016: 1st place, WEAU Wastewater Engineering Design Competitions »»» 2014: 1st place, WEAU Graduate Scholarship Award»»» 2014: 2nd place, WEF National Wastewater Engineering Design Competition (WEFTEC)»»» 2014: Utah State University Graduate Enhancement Award for student leadership achievements»»» 2014: USU International Student of the Year»»» 2013: USU Sustainability Council Scholarship to implement energy saving technology »»» 2013: AWWA Eva Nieminski Honorary Graduate Science and Engineering Scholarship Show less

    • Universität Kassel

      2007 - 2007
      Summer School New Perspectives for a Globalized World: Environmental and Cultural Dimensions

      Activities and Societies: Interfaith Movement - Europe Understanding global dimensions of economic development within the context of environmental sustainability and sound practices of industries

    • University of Surrey

      2009 - 2010
      Master’s Degree Environmental Strategy and Sustainable Development Distinction

      • Cumulative GPA: 4.0 (76.2 in UK system) Distinction • Thesis: Water Footprint Model for Hewlett Packard (HP) Personal Computers• Thesis research received top mark of 84 (Outstanding)

  • Experience

    • Engineering and Management Consulting Center

      Jun 2006 - Aug 2012
      Environmental Engineer

      • Collected data and assisted in the development of Gaza Water Master Plan• Successfully secured infrastructure and management strategic planning projects for 25 local cities through the World Bank• Developed training materials for WaterCAD, environmental reporting and auditing and life cycle assessment • Assisted in the technical design of water and wastewater networks and treatment plants • Prepared and assisted in 20+ environmental and project reports for international funding agencies• Wrote 5 successful technical and financial proposals for engineering and management services for the World Bank, the UNDP, the Islamic Relief and Qatar Charity Show less

    • University of Surrey

      Sept 2010 - Jan 2011
      Graduate Teaching Assistant

      • Teaching assistant for the structural mechanics and hydraulics labs for undergraduate civil engineering students.• Demonstrator for surveying and hydraulics module

    • RAI Consult Ltd

      Jan 2011 - Jul 2012
      Environmental Engineer

      • Designed a municipal landfill and developed technical feasibility of a compost production facility using AutoCAD and Civil 3D• Audited Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) standards for 3 food-processing factories• Designed environmental land use planning for the Gaza Industrial Estate Area• Organized and led several community and stakeholder meetings in addition to focus groups

    • Utah State University

      Sept 2012 - Dec 2017
      Graduate Research Assistant - Water Resources Modeling and Management

      Eco-Hydrologic Systems Models to Improve River, Riparian, and Wetlands Habitat Quality Under Uncertainty.Ayman worked with over 10 state and federal agencies and environmental NGOs and developed an optimization model coupled with a web GIS interactive app to allocate water to restore stream habitat quality for priority fish, tree, and bird species. In addition, Ayman developed an unsupervised cluster analysis algorithm to quantify and communicate uncertainty of large eco-hydrological model. In his project, Ayman established monitoring sites to collect river flow, stage, cross section, temperature, and vegetation cover and trained and mentored over 20 undergraduate research students. He led and advised 3 engineering clubs. Received 11 local and national honors and awards Show less

    • Esri

      May 2015 - Aug 2015
      Product Engineer Intern - Software Products

      Ayman worked with Esri’s ArcGIS Online team to develop 3 ecological habitat suitability GIS web applications. The web applications contributed to the Living Atlas of the World online catalog and helped recruiting new clients for Esri’s ArcGIS Online. Ayman also provided a day-long customer technical support and assisted in Esri’s annual User Conference in San Diego, CA.

    • Brown and Caldwell

      Jan 2018 - Jan 2023
      Senior Associate Engineer

      • Lead developer of a water-tracking tool for Tech Client data centers.• Lead developer of the water replenishment program dashboard for PepsiCo to manage the allocation of resources to meet PepsiCo’s net water positive target. • Technical lead for the Arkansas River Colors of Water Decision Support Tool. Developed functional requirements, assisted in developing a python auto-calibration tool for the model engine, and identified web application interface requirements to characterize and manage water rights accounting and transactions (diversion, exchange, and transfer) across the Arkansas River basin, Colorado.• Technical lead for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) Alternative Water Supply Evaluation Tool. Responsible for developing an Azure cloud interface to run R and Python modules for a citywide optimization model.• Technology lead for energy and carbon footprints and water replenishment programs. Led the development of modular interactive tools to support two corporate initiatives: multi-criteria decision analysis tool and a water replenishment framework.• Water and stormwater modeler, simulate infrastructure vulnerability to demand projections, climate change, sea-level rise, and changes in land use in support of master plans for clients including Seattle Public Utilities.• Data analytics expert, responsible for developing data workflow architecture and scripts for data extraction, transformation, and loading into hydraulic and hydrologic models. Led the data processing and visualization into dashboards for decision support for several municipal clients including the Seattle Public Utilities, City of Medford, OR and the City of Richmond, VA. Show less

    • EKI Environment & Water, Inc.

      Jan 2023 - now
      Technical Lead - Innovation

      • Company Innovation lead: create internal tools to streamline the review/feedback process, manage staff utilization targets, set policies for using Artificial Intelligence, and develop technical demos and dashboards.• Co-lead of the company Technology Working Group. Set strategic vision and implementation plan to drive innovation, scale up company’s technological resources, advance project delivery methods, improve efficiency, and reduce overhead costs.• Technology advisor for public and private clients. Design data workflows and database schema. Help clients optimize operations and position for grants and partnerships.• Lead developer of a Decision Support Tool for groundwater management for Arvin-Edison Water Storage District (AWESD). Developed an interactive R Shiny web application to assist AWESD in evaluating a range of operational alternatives and plans for future drought events. The tool runs a dynamic agricultural water balance, soil moisture routing, and MODFLOW groundwater flow model routines.• Technical lead for the Global Water Supply Assessment Tracking Dashboard for the Valley of The Moon Water District. The dashboard evaluates the reliability and availability of water supplies to support residential developments.• Lead developer for EKI Grant Tracking Dashboard. The interactive web dashboard tracks solicitations and helps clients track and manage grants and report progress to funding agencies.• Water resources/hydraulics engineer: assisted in the development of Urban Water Management Plans and Water Supply Assessments to help clients estimate project demands and forecast available supply. Show less

  • Licenses & Certifications

    • Associate Member - Environmental Auditor

      Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment

    • Tau Beta Pi Graduate Student Member

      Tau Beta Pi - UT Gamma Chapter
      Dec 2015
      View certificate certificate

    • Urban and Wilderness CPR

      Desert Mountain Medicine
      May 2014
      View certificate certificate

    • Wilderness First Aid

      Desert Mountain Medicine
      May 2014
      View certificate certificate

    • Translator - Open Translation Team

      TED Conferences
      View certificate certificate

    • Engineer In Training

      NCEES
      Dec 2021

    • Professional Engineer (PE)

      NCEES
      Jul 2022

    • 40-hr HAZWOPER certificate (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120)

      OSHA Safety Training Institute
      Mar 2017

  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      1st Place, Paper Writing Competition American Water Resources Association May 2016 Ayman Alafifi received the award for his research work: "Systems Modeling to Improve River and Riparian Habitat Quality" which investigates the use of systems models to better manage river and riparian areas. Alafifi developed an optimization model that shows the implications of management decisions on the quality of a river’s ecological habitat. The model attempts to improve habitat quality for priority species by allocating water to the sites and at the seasons that will best serve the needs… Show more Ayman Alafifi received the award for his research work: "Systems Modeling to Improve River and Riparian Habitat Quality" which investigates the use of systems models to better manage river and riparian areas. Alafifi developed an optimization model that shows the implications of management decisions on the quality of a river’s ecological habitat. The model attempts to improve habitat quality for priority species by allocating water to the sites and at the seasons that will best serve the needs of the desired species while also meeting human demands. He also developed an interactive GIS web platform that allows managers to interact with the model results and visualize the spatial and temporal scales of ecological restoration needs. The model is uses the Lower Bear River as a case study to help ongoing conservation efforts to define and prioritize sites for restoration efforts in the Bear River watershed. Show less
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      WEFTEC Engineering Student Design Competition Water Environment Federation Oct 2015 Participated and co-led Utah State University team at the 2015 WEFTEC Student Design competition to solve total phosphorus problem for South Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant in Utah.
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      Research Poster Competition American Water Works Assocaition Sep 2015 Received the 2nd place for the Fresh Ideas Poster competition at the AWWA IMS 2015 Annual Conference.
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      WEAU Engineering Student Design Competition Water Environment Association of Utah May 2015 Competed in and won the WEAU student design competition and was selected with Utah State University team to represent the State of Utah at the WEF national design competition. The team designed chemical, biological and adsorption treatment alternatives for the South David Wastewater Treatment plant to help in their Total Phosphorous limits of 1mg/L. In addition, the team explored and proposed options to reclaim and reuse produced water, biosolids and energy resources.
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      USU Presidential Diversity Award Utah State University Jan 2015 Received the 21st Annual Diversity Award - Student Category for model behavior that promotes diversity, nourishes acceptance of individual differences, and integrates diversity concepts and values into academic curriculum, management functions, and community service.
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      WEAU Graduate Scholarship Award Water Environment Association of Utah Nov 2014 Ayman Alafifi received the 1st place in the WEAU Dr. Robert W. Okey Graduate Scholarship competition and successfully beat out competition from the University of Utah, Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University. Ayman designed a pretreatment system for industry that would keep a municipal wastewater treatment plant in regulatory compliance. He came up with an innovative design to address a multitude of potential contaminants. In addition, he recommended best treatment options for some… Show more Ayman Alafifi received the 1st place in the WEAU Dr. Robert W. Okey Graduate Scholarship competition and successfully beat out competition from the University of Utah, Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University. Ayman designed a pretreatment system for industry that would keep a municipal wastewater treatment plant in regulatory compliance. He came up with an innovative design to address a multitude of potential contaminants. In addition, he recommended best treatment options for some emerging contaminants in wastewater including endocrine distruptors. He also investigated health risks of wastewater reuse for potable purposes under different treatment options. Ayman received the WEAU honorary award prize of $3,000. Show less
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      WEFTEC Engineering Student Design Competition Water Environment Federation Oct 2014 Ayman Alafifi and his team from Utah State University wowed a panel of judges at WEFTEC, the largest water conference in the world, on Sept. 28 in New Orleans, La., and took second place at the student competition. The team evaluated multiple wastewater treatment alternatives and recommended a path forward to help Morgan Wastewater Treatment Plant meet future nutrient regulations and protect endangered species at receiving waters. Several alternatives were considered and a treatment solution… Show more Ayman Alafifi and his team from Utah State University wowed a panel of judges at WEFTEC, the largest water conference in the world, on Sept. 28 in New Orleans, La., and took second place at the student competition. The team evaluated multiple wastewater treatment alternatives and recommended a path forward to help Morgan Wastewater Treatment Plant meet future nutrient regulations and protect endangered species at receiving waters. Several alternatives were considered and a treatment solution was recommended based on costs, input from the City, and feasibility. The team proposed a zero discharge alternative by land applying treated wastewater in summer months and applying the effluents to a combined hydroponics-infiltration basin system in winter months. The proposal shows a great potential of generating revenues by growing and selling animal feed crops during summer months and ornamental flowers in winter months. The system also helps recharge the aquifer. He says the concept of using wastewater in hydroponics would need additional research and a pilot project to test its efficiency and profitability before city officials in Morgan could adopt any formal proposal. Show less
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      WEAU Engineering Student Design Competition Water Environment Association of Utah May 2014 Ayman Alafifi and his team from Utah State University designed a treatment system for the City of Morgan to meet future nutrient regulations. The team presented their work and received first place in the State of Utah for their innovative and cost-effective design.
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      AWWA Eva Nieminski Honorary Graduate Science and Engineering Scholarship American Water Works Association Dec 2013 The Eva Nieminski Honorary Graduate Science and Engineering Scholarship, created by the AWWA, is awarded to Ayman Alafifi for his outstanding records as a graduate student. The award encourages advanced education and training in the field of water quality, supply and treatment.
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      Utah State University Sustainability Council, Blue Goes Green Competition Utah State University Nov 2013 Ayman Alafifi received the 1st place award for Blue Goes Green Compeition. The award is given to students with the best on-campus sustainability projects. Ayman's project will install daylight harvesting technologies on campus to save on energy and carbon emission with a payback of less than 2 years.
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      C. Arden Pope "Clean the Air" Competition The Bear River Health Department, Utah May 2013 Ayman Alafifi received the C. Arden Pope "Clean the Air" award for his ideas on attractive and smart public transportation in addition to his proposal on developing employee commuter options program.
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      Hani Qaddumi Scholarship Foundation - Master's Degree Hani Qaddumi Scholarship Foundation May 2009 Hani Qaddumi Scholarship Foundation recognized Ayman Alafifi's exceptional academic abilities and awarded him a full scholarship to pursue his master's degree in Environmental Engineering
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      Distinctive Senior Design Project Islamic University of Gaza Sep 2008 Ayman Alafifi and his group received the 1st place in the Distinctive Senior Design Project Award in the College of Engineering for their project: Early Cost Estimation for Engineering and Infrastructure Projects using Artificial Neural Networks Modeling
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      Engineering Studentship Award Islamic University of Gaza Aug 2008 Ayman Alafifi received the Islamic Univeristy of Gaza Studentship award for his excellent academic records. He graduated as the first-of-class (of 280 students) in the civil engineering department and second in the college of engineering in 2008.
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      DAAD Full scholarships- Summer Schools German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Jun 2007 Ayman Alafifi received two scholarships from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to attend two summer schools in Germany in 2007:- Environmental Dimensions of Globalized World Development, Kassel University, Germany.- Interfaces of Cultural Exchange - EastMeetsWest, University of Erfurt, Germnay
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      Arab Best Business Plan Competition Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF), Jordan. Jan 2007 Ayman Alafifi and his team received third place in the Arab Best Business Plan Competition for their project on simple and interactive street maps that support Arabic-language.
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      South Africa Cultural Exchange Scholarships International Youth Exchange Program, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa. Jun 2006 Ayman Alafifi received a full scholarship to attend a cultural exchange summer school in Stellenbosch University in South Africa. He learned about the challenges that South Africa had to overcome in the post-apartheid period.
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      Hani Qaddumi Scholarship Foundation - Bachelor Degree Hani Al Qaddoumi Scholarship Foundation Jun 2004 Ayman Alafifi received the 4-year Hani Qaddumi Scholarship Foundation scholarship for his bachelor degree in Civil Engineering
    • Awarded to Ayman Alafifi
      Excellency Scholarship Award - Bachelor Degree Islamic University of Gaza Jun 2003 Ayman Alafifi received a 5-year partial scholarship from the Islamic University of Gaza for his excellent academic records as a bachelor student. Ayman managed to maintain a 95/100+ CGPA and graduate in the top of his class.

  • Volunteer Experience

    • College of Engineering Graduate Student Representative

      Issued by Utah State University Student Association on Aug 2016
      Utah State University Student AssociationAssociated with Ayman Alafifi

    • Students & Young Professionals Committee

      Issued by Water Environment Federation on Dec 2014
      Water Environment FederationAssociated with Ayman Alafifi

    • Student Chapter President

      Issued by Water Environment Federation on Nov 2013
      Water Environment FederationAssociated with Ayman Alafifi

    • President and Interfaith Leader

      Issued by Logan Islamic Center on Jun 2013
      Logan Islamic CenterAssociated with Ayman Alafifi

    • Design Lead

      Issued by Engineers Without Borders USA on Aug 2013
      Engineers Without Borders USAAssociated with Ayman Alafifi