Hafsa Aeman

Biography

Hafsa Aeman is a geospatial scientist and AI researcher specializing in remote sensing, water resource management, and climate resilience. She currently serves as a National Researcher in Remote Sensing and GIS at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), where she leads innovative work on integrating satellite data, machine learning, and climate information to support sustainable water and agricultural systems. She holds a PhD in Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing from Wuhan University, where her research focused on seawater intrusion and coastal ecosystem monitoring. Her academic and professional journey reflects a strong commitment to applying advanced geospatial technologies including Earth observation, AI, and data-driven modeling to address critical environmental challenges. Her work centers on developing operational tools for irrigation demand forecasting, evapotranspiration estimation, and groundwater management. She has led the development of AI-based irrigation forecasting systems that combine satellite-derived biophysical variables with climate forecasts to generate actionable insights for farmers, water managers, and policymakers. These systems are currently being applied at scale within canal irrigation networks in Pakistan to support demand-based water allocation and climate-smart agriculture.

In addition to her technical expertise, Hafsa is deeply engaged in conservation and climate policy. She has contributed to biodiversity research, wildlife trade assessments, and ecosystem monitoring initiatives, and actively collaborates with local communities to co-develop sustainable solutions. Her work emphasizes inclusive approaches, particularly empowering women farmers and marginalized groups through capacity-building in smart irrigation and water management.