Staff
Dr.
Abror Gafurov
Function and Responsibilities:
Abror Gafurov is a hydrologist and water resources specialist renowned for his expertise in mountain hydrology and climate impact assessment in Central Asia. His work lies at the intersection of science and application, with a strong emphasis on understanding how climate change shapes water availability in fragile high-mountain environments. He brings extensive experience in the use of remote sensing snow cover data for hydrological analysis and is the developer of MODSNOW—an advanced cryosphere and water resources monitoring system now widely applied across Central Asia, South Asia, Europe, and South America.
His research is embedded in high-impact international initiatives funded by leading German institutions, including the Federal Foreign Office (Green Central Asia), the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR – CLIMWATER, Water Forecast), and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ – MODSNOW Early Warning System). Through this work, Abror Gafurov has developed a unique and comprehensive understanding of the water sector in Central Asia, combining rigorous scientific insight with substantial hands-on, regional experience.
Beyond his research, he is dedicated to education and knowledge sharing as a lecturer at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. He also contributes to the global scientific community as a member of the editorial boards of Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (HESS) and the Central Asian Journal of Water Research (CAJWR).
Research Interests:
- Understanding hydrological cycle in Central Asia
- Mountain hydrology (snow and glaciers)
- Climate impact assessment on water resources
- Application of remote sensing data in hydrology
- Hydrological Forecasting
- Disaster Risk Reduction
Career:
Since 11/2022
Habilitation (post doctorate lecture qualifications), Institute of Geography, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany
Seit 01/2020
Project Coordinator CAWa-Green Project in the frame of the Green Central Asia Programme
01/2023 - 06/2025
Project Coordinator - CLIMWATER (Climate Impact Assessment on Water Resources in Uzbekistan; implications to hydropower and agriculture sectors)
Since 11/2017
Lecturer at the Humboldt-Universtät zu Berlin, Institute of Geography
09/2017 - 12.2019
Project Lead - Central Asia Water (CAWa)
03/2009 - 08/2017
Research scientist at the department of hydrology, GFZ Potsdam
03/2005 - 11/2005
Head of Irrigation and Drainage Unit "Amu-Zang Irrigation Rehabilitation Project" financed by Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the frame of development goals for Uzbekistan, Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources
Education:
01/2006 - 06/2010PhD at the Department of Hydrology and Geohydrology, University of Stuttgart, Germany
09/2002 - 02/2005
Master of Science at the University of Stuttgart, Water Resources Engineering and Management (WAREM) Master's Program
09/1998 - 07/2002
Bachelor of Science at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers (TIIAME)
Projects:
Research Boards and Committees:
Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (HESS)
Central Asian Journal of Water Research (CAJWR)
Working Group Lead - International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS)
Awards:
11/2005-12/2008IPSWaT (International Postgraduate Studies in Water Technology) Scholorship, BMBF (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung), Germany
09/2002-06/2004
Grant of “UMID" Foundation of the President of Uzbekistan to suppport talented youth abroad