Elfatih Eltahir

Elfatih Eltahir is the H. M. King Bhumibol Professor at MIT, affiliated with the Climate and Environment faculty and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He holds a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering (University of Khartoum, 1985), M.Sc. in Hydrology (National University of Ireland, 1988), and S.M. and Sc.D. in Meteorology/Hydroclimatology (MIT, 1993). His research focuses on climate change impacts on water availability, extreme weather, and vector-borne diseases, with a particular emphasis on developing numerical models like the MIT Regional Climate Model (MRCM) and the Hydrology-Entomology-Malaria Transmission Simulator (HYDREMATS).

Key research areas include projecting climate change effects on regions such as the Mediterranean, South Asia, and West Africa, with a focus on adaptation strategies. He has pioneered the concept of 'outdoor days' to quantify climate impacts on human activity. Awards include membership in the National Academy of Engineering (2023), World Academy of Sciences (2023), and American Geophysical Union Fellowship (2008).

• Teaching: Global Change Science (1.071), Surface Hydrology (1.714), Environmental Data Analysis (1.073)
• Projects: UM6P-MIT Research Program, Jameel Observatory Climate Resilience Early Warning System Network (CREWSnet)

His work has addressed societal challenges like Nile River water management, malaria transmission dynamics, and climate adaptation in vulnerable communities. Field campaigns and collaborations with institutions like the United Arab Emirates reinforce his applied research focus.

• Awards:
  • 2023: National Academy of Engineering Member
  • 2023: World Academy of Sciences Fellow
  • 2008: AGU Fellow
  • 2017: Hydrologic Science Award

Research grants and funding support impactful projects such as climate modeling for the Middle East, Africa, and the U.S., with a focus on interdisciplinary solutions.