undefined Landwise Project Researcher Work Package 3 + 4:
Dr Maleki Badjana, University of Reading, working on the LANDWISE project.
Dr Maleki Badjana joined the Landwise team in July 2019 as a postdoctoral research assistant to work on hydrological modelling. Maleki attended the University of Abomey-Calavi, where he received a PhD in the Graduate Research Program of Climate Change and Water Resources of the West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land use (WASCAL GRP CC&WR).  He previously worked as a research assistant at the University of Lomé (Togo).  He brings his experience in catchment hydrological system analysis and modelling.

His work is focused on testing existing models like SWAT-MODFLOW, GSFLOW, and ParFlow using data on climate, soil, geology and land cover maps.  We need to understand how well the models replicate observed conditions with and without NFM measures.  He finds the multidisciplinary nature of the work stimulating, for example the interface between groundwater and surface processes.

Drawing on and sharing knowledge with those living and working in catchments is critical to Maleki’s work.  He interacts with a wide range of partners for example through workshop exercises and targeted questionnaires. 

undefined (Landwise Kennet NFM scenario workshop – 23/10/19)

Maleki is far from his home and family in Togo but is effusive about the welcome he has received from colleagues in the UK.   He describes his experience of working here as fantastic and is relishing the chance to work with university academic experts in the field, as well as those in partner organisations, such as the EA, BGS, CEH and JBA.

Maleki sees great potential to develop and implement NFM in West Africa where to date it is largely unknown.  In the future he looks forward to taking his learning and experience back home.