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Teamrat A. Ghezzehei

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I am a professor of Soil Physics in the Life and Environmental Sciences department at the University of California, Merced. I received my B.Sc. in Soil and Water Conservation from the University of Asmara, Eritrea, and a Ph.D. in Soil Physics from Utah State University. Before joining UC Merced, I was a Postdoctoral Fellow and Career Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

My research centers on developing physics-informed neural networks for reference evapotranspiration forecasting to enable proactive irrigation management. I integrate machine learning with NOAA weather forecast data to predict ETo up to seven days in advance, allowing for optimized water resource allocation in the face of climate change. My approach embeds physical constraints within neural network architectures to ensure predictions remain physically meaningful while maintaining computational efficiency. This work supports precision agriculture by providing actionable forecasts that help reduce water consumption and improve agricultural adaptation to changing climate conditions.

I also investigate soil structure dynamics, the effects of fire and conservation practices on soil physical properties, and rhizosphere processes that control plant-soil interactions. My research combines advanced measurement techniques, mathematical modeling, and machine learning to address critical challenges in soil science and sustainable agriculture.

Current Positions

  • Professor of Environmental Soil Physics
    Life & Environmental Sciences, UC Merced
    2019 - present

Academic Career

  • University of California, Merced
    • Professor — 2019 - present
    • Chair of Life & Environmental Science Dept. — 2019 - 2022
    • Associate Professor — 2014 - 2019
    • Assistant Professor — 2009 - 2014
  • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
    • Affiliate Scientist — 2009 - present
    • Career Scientist — 2004 - 2009
    • Postdoctoral Fellow — 2001 - 2004

Education

  • PhD, Soil Science (Soil Physics)
    Utah State University, 1997 - 2001
  • BSc, Soil & Water Conservation
    University of Asmara, 1991 - 1995

Selected Honors & Awards

  • 2024 — Editor's Citation for Excellence in Refereeing
    Water Resources Research, AGU
  • 2022 — Fellow
    Soil Science Society of America
  • 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024 — You Made a Difference Award
    UC Merced (nominated by graduating seniors)
  • 2015 - 2017 — Faculty Fellow (Water Theme)
    Center for Humanities, UC Merced
  • 2012 — Hellman Family Fellow
    UC Merced
  • 2007 — Laboratory Director's Outstanding Performance Award
    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Selected Leadership Roles

  • Co-Chair (2019 - 2022)
    International Soil Modeling Consortium (ISMC)
  • Chair (2020)
    Soil Physics and Hydrology Division, SSSA
  • Associate Editor (2017 - 2023)
    Water Resources Research
  • Associate Editor (2020 - 2022)
    European Journal of Soil Science
  • Chair (2017 - 2018)
    Unsaturated Zone Technical Committee, AGU