Ioanna Popescu

Candidate for:

Vice-President for Europe

Biography 

Professor Ioana I. Popescu is a zero appointed Professor of Hydroinformatics at TU Delft and contributes to IHE Delft in The Netherlands. She holds degrees in Civil Engineering (Hydrotechnics) and Mathematics (Applied Mathematics and Informatics), with doctoral studies in Computational Hydraulics.

With 37 years of research experience, Prof. Popescu specializes in computational methods, aspects of flood modeling and vulnerability related to floods, lake and reservoir modeling and water supply systems modeling and optimisation. She is particularly interested in integrating mathematical models into decision support systems. Data is key in model development, hence she explores all sources of data, from EO to in situ data and is for the FAIR data sharing. She has published over 100 journal papers and 4 books, supervised 92 MSc students and 8 completed PhD students (with 4 ongoing). Moreover, educating students and water professionals forms a significant part of Prof. Popescu's professional portfolio. She has been instrumental in teaching and curriculum development across various formats, including traditional classroom settings, online platforms, open courseware, and specialized short and tailor-made courses.

During her 24-year tenure at IHE Delft, she has contributed to over 47 research projects (EU  and other fundings), with research applied to case studies all over the world (such as: Vietnam, Egypt, Colombia, Romania, China, Bangladesh, Kenya, etc)  This extensive experience has led to her involvement in numerous international scientific committees for conferences, scientific communities, and associations. Notably, from 2018 to 2024, she served as a member of the Scientific Committee of World Data Systems, part of the International Council for Science.

Ioana is a member of several engineering associations and research schools, including the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR), the European Geophysical Union (EGU), and the SENSE research school.

Statement 

Dear Colleagues and Members of the International Association of Hydroenvironment Research,

It is a great privilege to be nominated for the position of IAHR Vice-President for Europe. As we navigate significant challenges in water management and environmental sustainability, I am eager to contribute to the organization's strong foundation by promoting collaboration and advancing innovation across European institutions.

My priorities for IAHR Europe include:

• Strengthening connections between research institutions, industry, and policymakers to address key hydroenvironmental challenges, particularly in the context of climate change adaptation.

• Promoting the integration of emerging technologies in hydroenvironmental research to keep Europe at the forefront of innovation.

• Enhancing diversity and inclusion by supporting women's leadership and amplifying underrepresented voices in our field.

• Expanding opportunities for early-career researchers through mentorship, publication support, and professional development initiatives.

With three decades of experience in academia and education, I have built extensive expertise in hydroinformatics and water science through significant involvement in research projects, such as the ones of European Union, or other donors; as well as contributions to international capacity building initiatives. My role at IHE Delft has enabled me to develop extensive expertise in international collaboration, further complemented by being part of the Scientific Committee of World Data Systems, of International Science Council. This comprehensive background in research, education, and capacity development has enabled me to build strong networks across disciplines and borders, making me well-suited to represent and advance IAHR's European community.

If elected, I will focus on:

• Strengthening partnerships with IAHR Vice Presidents from Africa, Asia, and the Americas to encourage global knowledge exchange.

• Expanding networking and knowledge-sharing platforms within European chapters.

• Enhancing the impact of IAHR journals, with dedicated sections for young professionals' research.

• Developing initiatives to attract and retain young professionals, including conference participation support.

• Establishing mentorship programs that connect experienced women leaders with early-career researchers.

• Collaborating with related organizations to tackle interdisciplinary water challenges.

• Bridging academic research with real-world water management applications.

• Further supporting the IAHR label initiative, and supporting and promoting innovative educational and professional development within IAHR.

If elected I am committed to building on the excellent work of my predecessor while bringing fresh perspectives to address emerging challenges in our field. By working together—within Europe and beyond—we can further strengthen IAHR’s role as a leader in hydroenvironmental research and practice developing a more diverse and collaborative scientific community.

I would be honored to serve as your Vice President Europe and would greatly appreciate your support in the upcoming election.