Valentina Rakhimova

Valentina Rakhimova serves as Senior Researcher at the Institute of Hydrogeology and Geoecology named after U.M. Akhmedsafin (Almaty, Kazakhstan) and Part-Time Lecturer at Satbayev University, while holding the position of Vice President for Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH).

Education:

• PhD in Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology from Satbayev University, specializing in groundwater treatment of hexavalent chromium via in-situ methods

Her research spans Hydrogeology and Groundwater Management with critical focus on transboundary aquifer policy, managed aquifer recharge, and irrigated agriculture impacts. She actively develops sustainable solutions for water-scarce regions through geochemical modeling and conservation advocacy, emphasizing community engagement and cross-border collaboration. Her work integrates field studies with computational modeling to address contamination and resource depletion challenges across Central Asia.

As a dedicated educator, she supervises hydrogeology graduate students at Satbayev University while promoting groundwater awareness through international NGOs and governmental partnerships. Current projects in Kazakhstan prioritize natural reserve assessment and sustainable utilization frameworks, building on her extensive collaborations with European, Israeli, and Central Asian scientists.

Her leadership at the Laboratory of Modeling Hydrochemical and Geoecological Processes drives innovation in geoecological process simulation, directly supporting regional water security initiatives through evidence-based policy development and stakeholder coordination.