Ahmed Khalifa

Ahmed M Khalifa, Ph.D. is a Research Scientist in the River-Coastal Science and Engineering Department at Tulane University, specializing in hydrodynamics, morphodynamics, and coastal–riverine systems. His work integrates numerical modeling, physical experiments, and machine learning to address complex environmental challenges including saltwater intrusion, compound flooding, sediment transport, and ecosystem evolution.

Dr. Khalifa earned his Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from Tulane University in 2023, where he developed and applied morphodynamic models to study deltaic and coastal ecosystems. He also holds M.S. and B.S. degrees in coastal and civil engineering from Alexandria University, Egypt. His academic and professional journey spans both the Nile Delta and the Mississippi River, providing him with a unique comparative perspective on large river-delta systems.

His research has contributed to advancing the understanding of sediment diversions, coastal restoration strategies, and salt wedge dynamics in large river systems. He has authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in leading journals such as Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, with work ranging from historical flood analysis to forward-looking restoration and management solutions.

In addition to research, Dr. Khalifa has teaching experience in hydraulics and hydrologic modeling at both undergraduate and graduate levels and is actively engaged in STEM outreach programs aimed at promoting river and coastal science education. Prior to his doctoral studies, he held research and engineering positions at the Coastal Research Institute in Egypt, contributing to national-scale coastal protection and management projects.

Dr. Khalifa’s work is driven by a commitment to developing science-based, practical solutions for sustainable river and coastal management in the face of climate change and evolving environmental pressures.