Elsa Pirouz

Elsa Pirouz serves as Assistant Professor of Instruction in Earth and Environmental Sciences at The University of Texas at Arlington, where she has taught since January 2020 with continuous appointments through Fall 2025. Her expertise spans geospatial analysis, landslide dynamics, and geohazard assessment with methodological focus on GIS and remote sensing.

Education:

• PhD in Earth Sciences, University of Geneva (2015)
• MS in Engineering Geology, Islamic Azad University (2007)
• BA in Geology, Islamic Azad University Lahijan (2003)

Research Focus: Dr. Pirouz investigates landslide mechanisms in tectonically active regions like Iran's Zagros Mountains, employing advanced geospatial techniques for hazard mapping. Her work bridges geological engineering and environmental statistics, recently expanding into chemical exposure health impacts through interdisciplinary collaborations.

Publication Evolution: Early research centered on Iranian geohazards (rock-falls, subsidence), progressing to comprehensive landslide studies in the Zagros region. Her 2024 shift toward environmental health demonstrates methodological transferability of geospatial skills to public health questions, maintaining core GIS/remote sensing applications.

Honors:

• UTA Merit Award (2023)
• UTA Champion Recognition (2022)
• University of Texas at Dallas Poster Competition (2019)

Mentorship & Service: Currently supervising PhD candidate Sneha Singh and advising Master's researcher Nihaar Katoch. Chairs the EES GIS Certificate Committee, serves on curriculum and PhD supervisory committees, and previously directed the department's GIS operations (2022-2024). Her committee work spans graduate admissions, thesis defenses, and research awards.

Technical Leadership: As former GIS Director, she managed spatial data infrastructure and trained students in geospatial methodologies, supporting cross-departmental research in environmental systems analysis.