Rishi Parashar

Rishi Parashar serves as a Research Professor in Hydrologic Sciences at the Desert Research Institute (DRI), affiliated with the University of Nevada Reno's Graduate Program of Hydrologic Sciences. His work bridges computational hydrology, geothermal systems, and microbial transport processes within fractured rock environments.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Purdue University (2008)
• M.S. in Civil Engineering, Purdue University (2003)
• B.S. in Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (2001)

Parashar's research centers on computational subsurface hydrology, where he develops discrete fracture network (DFN) models to simulate anomalous transport in porous media and upscaling techniques for complex flow systems. His hydro-bio-chemical systems work examines microbial motility, biofilm growth, and biogeochemical reactions governing contaminant fate. In thermo-hydro-mechanical interactions, he investigates enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and induced seismicity through coupled process modeling. Recent publications reveal increasing integration of machine learning with traditional hydrological modeling, particularly in particle tracking and reactive transport upscaling.

Analysis of his 15 most recent articles (2021-2025) shows dominant focus areas: 40% on microbial transport in porous media (including bacterial motility and biofilm effects), 30% on fracture network modeling and upscaling, 20% on contaminant remediation (particularly arsenic), and 10% on geothermal system dynamics. His collaborative work spans environmental engineering, computational science, and microbiology, with frequent co-authorship patterns indicating strong mentorship of early-career researchers.

Parashar actively secures research funding through Department of Energy contracts, particularly for Nevada National Security Site projects involving fractured rock characterization. His advising portfolio includes numerous graduate students leading publications in high-impact journals like Water Resources Research and Advances in Water Resources. Current projects involve quantum algorithms for well capture zone determination and heat-sensitive epoxy foams for geothermal permeability alteration.

Research Infrastructure: His work leverages DRI's computational resources for large-scale DFN simulations and collaborates with DOE laboratories on experimental validation through microfluidic devices and field-scale tracer tests. The Hydrologic Sciences division provides access to advanced characterization facilities for fractured rock systems.