CW3E Welcomes Dr. Erfan Goharian

May 21, 2024

We are excited to announce that Dr. Erfan Goharian has joined the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) as the Water Resources Engineering R&D Manager.

Dr. Goharian is an Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Carolina (USC). His research, education, and practice nexus is centered on developing multi-source heterogeneous data fusion, artificial intelligence (AI), and systems analysis techniques to advance the smart and informed operation and management of water resources systems. Dr. Goharian and his team develop and deploy cutting-edge systems and modeling techniques to enhance informed decision-making of integrated water and environmental resources systems in the face of climate change and extreme events.

Moving to CW3E, Dr. Goharian will establish and lead the Water Resources Engineering Research and Development (WRE R&D) program. The CW3E WRE R&D Group is dedicated to advancing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation at the intersection of academia, community, and partnerships. This initiative will promote multidisciplinary collaborations, with a focus on advancing intelligent and integrated modeling techniques, particularly to support the implementation of Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO). Our mission is to pioneer cutting-edge solutions in FIRO, comprehensive monitoring and forecasting of floods and droughts, integrated water resources modeling and management, and the application of machine learning and AI through fostering strong partnerships with local communities and stakeholders, and a focus on global leadership.

Previously, Dr. Goharian has led various projects funded by national agencies such as NOAA, NSF, USGS, and DoD, state agencies like the SC Sea Grants Consortium and SCDOT, and companies including Microsoft and Amazon. His publication record includes over 60 top-notch peer-reviewed journal papers and over 100 invited talks and conference presentations. Dr. Goharian has been honored with numerous prestigious awards, including the NSF CAREER Award, ASCE Young Civil Engineer of the Year, UCOWR Early Career Award, ASCE’s Best Research-Oriented Paper of the Year, ASCE Outstanding Reviewer awards, and served as a member of the South Carolina Floodwater Commission, appointed by Governor McMaster. He also serves as an associate editor of Nature’s Scientific Reports and the Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management.

CW3E is thrilled to welcome Dr. Erfan Goharian and looks forward to the significant contributions he will bring to our team and the broader water resources community.