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Mahboobeh Hajiesmaeili is a Researcher at Karlstad University's River Ecology and Management Research Group (RivEM). She holds a PhD in River Engineering from Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran, and specializes in ecological modeling and river habitat assessment for freshwater fish using individual-based modeling (IBM) and bioenergetics approaches. Her current research focuses on hydropeaking effects on salmonid populations in regulated rivers under climate change scenarios. Education: PhD in River Engineering (Tarbiat Modares University, 2019) M.Sc. in Hydraulic Structures (Focus: Ecohydraulics and PHABSIM modeling) Research Interests: Individual-based modeling (IBM/ABM) of fish populations Hydropeaking impacts on fish behavior and survival Climate change effects on freshwater ecosystems Ecological flow assessments and river management Collaborations: Chair of the Ecohydraulics Committee at the Iranian Hydraulic Association. Active in projects like the KK Eflows initiative and Gullspång River studies. Collaborates with John Piccolo, Johan Watz, and Louis Addo on salmonid population modeling. Publications: Over 15 peer-reviewed articles focusing on IBM applications, hydropeaking mitigation, and habitat suitability modeling. Recent work includes studies on Atlantic salmon and brown trout under fluctuating flows and climate change. Grants & Advising: No formal advisees listed, but contributes to interdisciplinary projects involving river regulation and conservation strategies. Labs/Teams: Core member of the RivEM group, contributing to the inSTREAM model development and field studies in regulated river systems.

• Ecological Modelling
• River Habitat Assessment
• Individual-Based Modelling (IBM)
• +5 more

Johan Watz is an Associate Professor in Biology Research at Karlstad University, specializing in stream ecology and conservation biology of fishes. He serves as coordinator for the Biology Bachelor's programme and organizes academic events like Grön dag. His roles extend beyond academia: he is an expert member of the Swedish Land and Environment Court (Aquatic Ecology), the Water Council of River Klarälven, and the editorial board of Ecology of Freshwater Fish . He collaborates with government agencies (e.g., County Administrative Boards, EPA) and industries including hydropower companies (Uniper, Fortum, Vattenfall) and consultants. Research focuses on salmonid behavior in regulated rivers, effects of climate change on aquatic systems, fish passage solutions, and terrestrial gastropod ecology. He uses individual-based modeling to study population dynamics and habitat restoration strategies. Notable interests include hydropeaking impacts, predator-prey interactions, and invasive species management. Recent work highlights contributions to fishway design, drought resilience in mountain stream species, and embryonic thermal effects on predator avoidance. He has pioneered studies on European eel migration barriers and slug dispersal in urban environments. Publications span over 50 peer-reviewed articles since 2011, with a focus on bridging ecological theory and applied conservation solutions. His work intersects disciplines like biostatistics, environmental engineering, and policy-making to address global challenges in freshwater ecosystems.

• Stream Ecology
• Behavioral Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• +5 more