Dr. Zurqani

Dr. Hamdi A. Zurqani

Assistant Professor of Geospatial Science

University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Arkansas Forest Resources Center, University of Arkansas at Monticello

110 University Court

University of Arkansas, Monticello, AR 71655, USA

Office: B203 – Forest Resources Complex

Phone: +1(870) 460-1248

Email: Zurqani@uamont.edu Hzurqani@uark.edu

UADA/UAM Geospatial Science Lab

Curriculum Vitae

Featured Publications

Journal Articles

Books

These publications provide up-to-date information and helpful resources for individuals who are interested in learning about the latest advancements and practical applications of new technologies in environmental information sciences, geo-intelligence, big data analytics, and remote sensing. These publications are well-researched and comprehensive in their coverage of the topics, making them valuable guidance and essential references for those who work in the field. Many of the methodologies highlighted in these publications are currently applied to Arkansas ecosystems, such as digital soil mapping, land cover/land use change analysis and assessment, drought detection and monitoring, etc. To learn more about these projects, please visit the UADA/UAM Geospatial Science Lab website.

Educational Background

Ph.D. Forest Resources

(Specialty: Environmental Information Sciences/ Pedology)

Clemson University 2019

M.S. Agricultural Sciences

(Specialty: Soil and Water Sciences/ Pedology)

University of Tripoli 2010

B.S. Agricultural Sciences

(Specialty: Soil and Water Sciences)

University of Tripoli 2007

Courses Taught

University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM)

GEOS30104 Intro. to GIS, GNSS & RS (Fall)

GEOS31203 Remote Sensing (Fall)

GEOS31143/NREM51603 Advanced GIS (Spring)

FRS 502V (Special Topic) Adv. Geospatial Analysis and Applications (TBA)

Research Interests

Dr. Zurqani has focused his research efforts on the development and applications of cutting-edge technologies in environmental information sciences and geo-intelligence (i.e., advanced geo-information science and earth observation, machine and deep learning, and big data analytics), remote sensing, sUAS/drones, pedology (i.e., soil genesis and classification) and land evaluation, digital soil mapping, geostatistical modeling of environmental changes such as mapping and predicting soil salinity, ecosystem degradation, spatiotemporal dynamics assessment of climate change vulnerability, land use/cover changes monitoring and evaluation, and geographic information system modeling.

Extension and Outreach

Dr. Zurqani strives to spread his knowledge throughout the state and the nation. His work allows interdisciplinary cooperation, data-rich analytics research, and active outreach across a range of scientific fields (agriculture, forests, and climate change) with major societal impacts. Dr. Zurqani works closely with community and business leaders, policymakers, educators, students, and members of the general public to ensure the sustainability and proper use of natural resources.

Decoding Earth’s Whispers

"The environment whispers its secrets through data—revealed in soil patterns, forest dynamics, and shifting landscapes. The challenge? To listen with both technology and vision. Cutting-edge tools—AI (e.g., machine and deep learning methods and applications), drones, geospatial analytics—decode these stories, transforming pixels into predictions and raw numbers into resilience. From tracking land degradation to modeling climate risks, this isn’t just observation; it’s the science of safeguarding our planet’s future."