Shiraz university | Iran
Dr. Maryam Vahidipour is an accomplished environmental geologist with a strong academic foundation and extensive research experience in hydrogeology, environmental contamination, and wetland restoration. She earned her B.Sc. (2010), M.Sc. (2014), and Ph.D. (2021) degrees in Earth and Environmental Geology from Shiraz University, Iran, where she consistently excelled, ranking first in her master’s entrance examination and seventh in her doctoral entrance exam. Her academic journey is marked by deep engagement with the hydro-environmental challenges of Iran’s fragile ecosystems, particularly those associated with groundwater pollution and wetland degradation. Dr. Vahidipour’s M.Sc. thesis focused on nitrate contamination in karstic aquifers and its monitoring methods in Shiraz city—an interdisciplinary investigation combining environmental and hydrogeological insights. Her Ph.D. dissertation, titled “Bakhtegan Lake Crisis: Environmental, Hydrogeological, and Restoration Approaches,” provided an in-depth evaluation of heavy metal contamination and the hydrological dynamics of the Bakhtegan-Tashk wetlands, with practical recommendations for sustainable restoration. Her international research collaboration at Wageningen University, Netherlands (2019) enhanced her expertise in saltwater intrusion modeling using SEAWAT, reinforcing her analytical and computational capabilities in groundwater flow modeling and hydrochemistry. Her professional experience includes advanced laboratory analyses in hydrochemistry and groundwater pollution at Shiraz University, as well as field-based environmental projects such as dye tracing at Seymare Dam and studying the socio-environmental impacts of wetland shrinkage on indigenous communities. Dr. Vahidipour’s research has been published in high-impact journals, including Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies and Environmental Technology & Innovation, focusing on topics such as saltwater intrusion, heavy metal contamination, and temporal dynamics of lake systems. Technically proficient, she is skilled in GIS, ENVI, SPSS, PHREEQC, MODFLOW, SEAWAT, and R, enabling her to integrate spatial analysis, statistical modeling, and hydrogeochemical simulation for data-driven environmental assessments. She has presented her findings at national and international conferences, contributing significantly to the understanding of Iran’s hydro-environmental systems. Fluent in Persian and proficient in English scientific writing, Dr. Vahidipour continues to advance research at the intersection of hydrogeology, environmental monitoring, and sustainable water management. Her work embodies a commitment to addressing real-world environmental crises through scientific innovation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and practical solutions aimed at preserving vital ecosystems such as the Bakhtegan-Tashk wetlands.
Featured Publications
Vahidipour, M., Raeisi, E., & van der Zee, S. E. T. A. M. (2021). Active saltwater intrusion of shrinking Bakhtegan–Tashk Lakes in South Iran threatens the freshwater resources of coastal aquifers. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 34, 100790.
Vahidipour, M., Raeisi, E., & van der Zee, S. E. T. A. M. (2022). Heavy metals in sediments, surface water, and groundwater of the RAMSAR wetlands Bakhtegan–Tashk, South Iran: Distribution and source assessment. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 28, 102789.
Vahidipour, M., Raeisi, E., & van der Zee, S. E. (2024). Temporal dynamics of inundation area, hydrochemistry, and brine in Bakhtegan Lake, South-Central Iran. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 52, 101714.
Mohammadi, E., Vahidipour, M., & Raeisi, E. (2024). In situ wind tunnel experiment, lake bed geomorphology and PM10 and PM2.5 emissions from shrinking Bakhtegan–Tashk Wetlands, South Iran. Aeolian Research. Manuscript under review (Manuscript No. AEOLIA-D-24-00083).
Heidarizade, T., Vahidipour, M., & Zarei, M. (2024). Assessment of organic contaminants in water and sediment of Gotvand Reservoir, Southwest of Iran. Manuscript submitted for publication.