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Research

Integrated Earth System Dynamics Lab, ICTA-UAB & McGill University
Core Research
  • Published The Human–Earth Atlas in Nature Scientific Data, developing the open-source SESAME Python package for integrating human–Earth system data.
  • Performed grid-based global iron material flow analysis using a tariff-weighted gravity model to link extraction/production to end-use sectors (manuscript submitted to Science Journal). Project link: https://github.com/A2Faisal/FeFlow
  • Developing a grid-based energy–material flow network model for fossil fuel systems (expected completion Aug 2026).
  • Applied AI/ML approaches (Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn) to improve forecasting and gap-filling in energy-material flow datasets.
    • Collaborative Work
  • Analyzed subjective well-being and climate variables with 18 international collaborators; revision submitted to People and Nature: “Experienced climate change impacts help explain subjective well-being. Evidence from 14 nature-dependent communities".
  • Contributed to a global gridded waste network model; supported gap-filling in under-sampled regions using extra-trees regression with predictors (population, GDP, income class, municipal waste, etc.).
  • Supporting global gridded phosphate network modelling by downscaling national extraction data to spatial grids through a spatiotemporal workflow.
    • Previous Research Experience (2017 – 2021)
  • Lead author on spatial retrieval of aerosols (Aerosol Optical Depth, PM2.5) over urban mixed land surfaces using Landsat imagery; analyzed links with Land Surface Temperature (LST) and vegetation indices, and investigated temporal PM2.5 trends, including COVID-19 lockdown effects.
  • Created high-resolution, grid-based population maps using dasymetric methods combining census and Landsat LULC data, providing foundations for the SESAME Human–Earth Atlas.
  • Applied machine learning (Cellular Automata, ANN, regression) to model LST, urban heat dynamics, land use land cover (LULC) change, and climate impacts on agricultural yields and water management.
  • Led model development, data processing, statistical evaluation, manuscript preparation, and ensured visibility in high-impact Earth observation and sustainability publications.