WSGESD-2026

Dr. Shafiul H. Chowdhury is an Associate Professor of Hydrogeology in the Department of Geology and Environmental Science at SUNY New Paltz (USA) and Director of its Environmental Science Program. For more than two decades, his work has integrated groundwater science, ecohydrology, and sustainable agriculture to address pressing challenges at the intersection of water, climate change, and energy. Dr. Chowdhury earned his Ph.D. in Hydrogeology from Western Michigan University and holds advanced degrees in environmental geology and geology. A Certified Professional Geologist (AIPG), he has developed GIS-based aquifer vulnerability models and conducted extensive research on groundwater sustainability, recharge dynamics, and climate-resilient water management. His recent international consulting work includes projects with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Vanuatu, where he designed climate-resilient water-supply strategies under data-limited conditions, and with the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) in Bangladesh, where he evaluated the sustainability of shallow aquifers supporting Solar Irrigation Pump (SIP) networks. His research provides evidence-based guidance on balancing renewable energy expansion, agricultural productivity, and long-term groundwater resilience. Regionally, Dr. Chowdhury leads applied ecohydrology research through the Applied Farmscape Ecology Research Collaborative (AFERC) at the Hudson Valley Farm Hub in New York, focusing on soil regeneration, infiltration dynamics, and water conservation in sustainable farming systems. He has secured major grants, including NSF-REU funding, and has mentored over 70 undergraduate research projects, many presented at national and international conferences. A strong advocate of experiential learning, he integrates field-based hydrogeology, aquifer testing, and environmental monitoring into his teaching, preparing students for professional practice in environmental consulting and water-resource management. Dr. Chowdhury’s scholarship advances climate adaptation, groundwater sustainability, and renewable-energy-supported irrigation systems, contributing globally relevant insights into the future of green energy and sustainable development.