Education 🎓📚

Maryam obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Forestry from Tehran University, Iran, with a strong emphasis on forest ecology and land management. Her Master’s studies explored forest biodiversity, while her PhD research at Tarbiat Modares University (2016) investigated how topography and landscape features influence forest ecosystems—particularly tree regeneration, herbaceous layers, and soil quality—in the Hyrcanian forest region. Her research was pioneering in identifying natural regeneration patterns linked to soil traits and topography. She ranked 1st in her PhD cohort, a testament to her academic excellence and dedication. She also undertook part of her PhD research at the University of Torino, Italy, collaborating on soil carbon research with Dr. Daniel Said-Pullicino. Recently, she has expanded her skills through the QQI-accredited project management course for postdocs. 📖🌿🌎

Experience 🏥🔍

Maryam has extensive teaching and research experience in both Iranian and Irish academic settings. She began her career lecturing at Iranian universities, teaching ecology, soil science, and agricultural systems. As an occasional lecturer at UCD, she contributed to modules like Forest Climate and Carbon, supporting undergraduate learning through lectures, quizzes, and lab design. Her postdoctoral work at UCD focused on forest carbon dynamics as part of the Terrain-AI project, funded by SFI and Microsoft, involving collaboration with multiple universities. Since December 2022, she has been a Forestry Lecturer at SETU, engaging in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, fieldwork, and student supervision. She maintains active collaborations across UCD, UL, UCC, and industry stakeholders. Her background bridges research and practice in forest management and climate mitigation. 🌲🧪📊

Awards & Honors 🏆🎖️

Dr. Maryam Fazlollahi Mohammadi has received several notable recognitions throughout her academic career. She ranked first in her PhD cohort at Tarbiat Modares University, a testament to her academic excellence. She was awarded an international research mobility grant by Iran’s Ministry of Science and Technology, facilitating collaborative research on soil carbon dynamics at the University of Torino, Italy. As a postdoctoral researcher on the prestigious Terrain-AI project—funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and Microsoft—she contributed to cutting-edge forest carbon modeling. At South East Technological University (SETU), she supervises multiple research theses, supporting student-led inquiry and applied learning. She also completed a QQI-accredited project management course for postdoctoral researchers. Dr. Fazlollahi has consistently been recognized for the timely and high-quality delivery of academic and administrative responsibilities. She serves as a reviewer for leading journals such as Catena, Ecological Research, and Scientific Reports, and has developed forest management training materials used across Northern Iran.

Research Focus 🔬🧪

Dr. Fazlollahi’s research spans forest ecology, biodiversity, and environmental modeling. Her work explores how topography, soil conditions, and landform shape influence forest regeneration and species distribution, particularly in mixed-species ecosystems like the Hyrcanian forests. She is an expert in spatial ecology and has contributed to innovative soil-carbon mapping and topographic modeling. As a core researcher on the Terrain-AI project, she focuses on linking management interventions with forest carbon fluxes to support climate mitigation. Her research outcomes support practical forestry decisions, from silviculture planning to policy advising. Her interdisciplinary collaborations extend into agroforestry, biodiversity conservation, and remote sensing integration. She actively works with stakeholders like Coillte, DAFM, and private forestry bodies to apply scientific insights to policy and practice. 🌳📈🌎

Skills 🛠️📊

Dr. Maryam Fazlollahi Mohammadi possesses a diverse and robust skill set that supports her academic, research, and professional endeavors. She is proficient in analytical tools such as MATLAB, R, and SPSS 📊, enabling her to conduct complex statistical analyses and data modeling. Her expertise in GIS and spatial analysis includes hands-on experience with ArcGIS and remote sensing technologies 🗺️. She has completed QQI-certified postdoctoral training in project management 📋, enhancing her ability to lead and coordinate interdisciplinary research projects. Dr. Fazlollahi is also adept in using research and academic tools like EndNote, GS+, and EXPERT CHOICE 🔬. Her teaching skillset includes integrating digital platforms such as Brightspace and Moodle and automating assessments via Google Sheets 💻. In the field and laboratory, she excels in soil sampling, vegetation surveys, and developing lab protocols 🌱. Her strong verbal and written communication 📢, multilingual fluency in English and Farsi 🗣️, and excellent organizational and collaborative abilities 🤝 ensure the timely and high-quality execution of both academic and outreach responsibilities.