Salma M. Elsherif
Keeping water systems safe, reliable, and resilient
Licensed Staff Water Resources Engineer at Arcadis with a Ph.D. in Civil and Infrastructure Systems from Vanderbilt University, focused on the modeling, optimization, control, and monitoring of water systems. With a foundation that bridges research and industry best practices, I help utilities build and calibrate network models, plan capital investments, and keep water safe from the treatment plant to the tap.
About this network
A small model of a drinking water distribution network. Chlorine leaves the water treatment plant and decays as it travels, disinfecting and guarding against pathogens along the way.
- Treatment plant
- Junction
- Pipe
- Tank
- Pump
- Valve
- Disconnected
Illustrative values, not an actual calibrated simulation. Numbers are approximate.
Two Sides, One Mission
Bridging research and practice.
Staff Water Resources Engineer
Arcadis U.S., Inc.2025 – present
As a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) and consultant, I support utilities and municipalities with planning, modeling, calibration, and asset management, turning complex system data into decisions they can act on.
Expertise and responsibilities
- Hydraulic modeling and calibration: building, updating, and calibrating distribution system models against field and SCADA data, then testing how the system performs across demand and operating scenarios, from everyday conditions to peak demand, to support sound operational and planning decisions
- Advanced water quality modeling and calibration: multi-species chlorine and chloramine dynamics, blending zones where different source waters meet, water age, and disinfection byproduct analyses that support regulatory compliance and day-to-day operations
- Field data analysis: planning and interpreting hydrant flow tests, pressure logging, water quality sampling, and bottle tests so models reflect how the system really behaves
- Asset management and capital improvement planning (CIP): combining hydraulic criticality from network models with condition and risk data, including the likelihood and consequence of pipe failure, to decide which assets matter most and when to act, then turning those priorities into replacement programs and capital plans phased around current performance, future development, and realistic operating scenarios
Ph.D., Civil and Infrastructure Systems
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN2021 – 2025
My dissertation, Monitoring and Control of Quantity-Quality Dynamics for Resilient Drinking Water Networks, developed a framework that manages hydraulics and water quality together, from multi-species chlorine modeling and pump operations to the placement of sensors and booster stations.
Research interests I continue to explore independently
- Control and monitoring of water distribution networks through integrated hydraulic and water quality dynamics
- Resilience of water infrastructure to extreme events and long-term stresses
- Sustainable water resources management under a changing climate
- Cyber-physical systems, urban infrastructure, and optimization of dynamic systems
The path so far
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Peer-reviewed research
Journal papers in Water Research, Water Resources Research, Annual Reviews in Control and more
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Conference talks
Presentations at ASCE EWRI, the American Control Conference and water industry events
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International fellowships and awards
Including the ASCE Freeman Fellowship, the ASCE J. Waldo Smith Hydraulic Fellowship and AWWA scholarships
Education
- 2011–2016 B.Sc. Civil Engineering Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt
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2017–2020 M.Sc. Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt
- Thesis: Spatial-Temporal Analysis of Rainfall Distribution. Case Study: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
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2021–2025 Ph.D. Civil and Infrastructure Systems Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Vanderbilt University, USA
Experience
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2016–2017 Infrastructure Design Engineer EGEC – Engineering House of Expertise, Egypt
- Designed water and sewer networks
- Prepared master plans, network profiles, and construction details
- Prepared the feasibility studies and final reports needed to initiate projects
- Prepared bills of quantities (BOQs)
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2017–2021Part-time Business Development, Tendering and Proposals Engineer EGEC – Engineering House of Expertise, Egypt
- Prepared technical and financial proposals for infrastructure projects in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kenya, and other countries
- Ensured every proposal met the client's requirements
- Helped develop and improve the proposal procedures behind successful tender packages
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2018–2021Part-time Water and Environment Engineer (Hydrology) CEEG – Civil and Environmental Engineering Group, Egypt
- Designed hydrology and infrastructure works, including flood protection solutions such as dams, culverts, bridges, Irish crossings, and ponds
- Designed stormwater drainage networks
- Tools: Bentley FlowMaster, HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, EPA SWMM, Aquaveo WMS
- 2025–now Staff Water Resources Engineer Arcadis U.S., Inc.
Recent news
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Attended WEFTEC and enjoyed engaging conversations with utility leaders, consultants, and researchers about where the water sector is heading.
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Attended the KY/TN Water Professionals Conference (WPC) in Lexington, KY, and connected with local peers across the water industry.
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Became a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the Commonwealth of Kentucky! 🎉🥳