Biographical Sketch

Dr. Hamdi A. Zurqani is an Assistant Professor of Geospatial Science in Natural Resource Management and Conservation at the University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Arkansas Forest Resources Center, University of Arkansas at Monticello, USA. With a strong academic foundation and a passion for innovative technologies, he is also an FAA (i.e., Pt107) Certified sUAS/Drones Pilot, leveraging this expertise to enhance his proficiency in remote sensing, GIS, and geospatial data analysis, which he applies to advance his research and teaching in environmental monitoring and analysis. Dr. Zurqani is a recognized expert as a result of his internationally acclaimed work in the areas of environmental information science, remote sensing, geospatial analysis, land evaluation, sustainability, pedology, and soil science education. He has conducted research across the world, including the United States of America and Africa, and has served as PI, co-PI, or co-investigator on several grants-funded research projects. In addition to his research and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Zurqani is actively involved in institutional service at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He serves on the UAM Campus-wide Artificial Intelligence (AI) Review Committee, the UAM Faculty Assembly Student Engagement Committee, and the UAM Library Committee.

Professionally, Dr. Zurqani contributes to the broader academic community through a variety of leadership and collaborative roles. He is an active member of the Steering Committee of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Mediterranean and Middle-East Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (M2GARSS) and serves as an Ambassador for the Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) Chapter of the IEEE in Libya, facilitating communication, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing within the geospatial and remote sensing communities. In recognition of his expertise and substantial contributions to the field, Dr. Zurqani was invited in 2024 to serve on the Technical Program Committee for the IEEE Asia-Pacific Conference on Geoscience, Electronics, and Remote Sensing Technology (AGERS). In 2025, he also joined the IEEE GRSS Technical Committee on Remote Sensing Environment, Analysis, and Climate Technologies (REACT), a platform for scientists and engineers to exchange ideas and knowledge on environmental issues and the impacts of climate change, emphasizing support for sustainable development goals (SDGs) through remote sensing technologies. Beyond these roles, Dr. Zurqani holds the position of UAM Co-Principal Investigator at the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, where he is involved in research initiatives focused on climate adaptation and resilience in the southeastern United States and its surrounding regions.

Dr. Zurqani's editorial and peer-review activities further highlight his commitment to advancing scientific research. He serves on the Editorial Boards of several journals, including Frontiers in Earth Science (Geoinformatics), Discover Soil (Springer Nature), Frontiers in Remote Sensing, and Remote Sensing (MDPI). He has also been appointed as a Guest Editor for special issues in several journals, focusing on topics such as advancing spatial prediction of soil properties using remotely sensed data and geospatial artificial intelligence, and UAV agricultural management. Dr. Zurqani's dedication to his field is further demonstrated by his role as a peer reviewer for numerous publishers, including Springer Nature, Nature, Frontiers, Elsevier, and MDPI, among others. He is also the editor of several influential publications that address critical environmental challenges. His notable works include: The Soils of Libya (2021), part of Springer’s World Soils Book Series; Environmental Applications of Remote Sensing and GIS in Libya (2022); and Water Resources of Libya: Challenges and Management (2025), published as part of the Springer Water Series (SPWA). These publications highlight his multidisciplinary expertise and commitment to addressing top environmental issues in Libya and beyond.