Dr. Reza Khanbilvardi, a Licensed Professional Engineer, is the Founder and Executive Director of CUNY Remote Sensing of the Earth Institute at The City University of New York, and Director of Center for Water Resources and Environmental Research. Since August 2023, he also has been appointed as Director of Earth System Sciences and Environmental Engineering at the City College of New York. He served as the founder and director of a NOAA Cooperative Science Center between 2001-2021, (CREST 2001-2016, and CESSRST 2016-2021) He is also Editor-In-Chief of International Journal for Water (InderScience Publications). Dr. Khanbilvardi has worked extensively with agencies like NOAA, NASA, NSF, USAID, UN, USDA, and CRDF. Dr. Khanbilvardi obtained his Masters (Environmental Engineering) Doctoral (CE/Water Resourced Engineering) degrees and Post Doctoral (Water Resources) award from Pennsylvania State University in 1980, 1983 and 1984 respectively. 

His research interest  include Satellite-based Remote Sensing Applications in Hydro-climate, Hydrology and Land Processes,  Surface Water Hydraulics and Hydrology, Flash-Flood Monitoring and Mapping,  Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources; Snow-Water Equivalent Studies.  Dr. Khanbilvardi has served as a principal, and co-investigator on many research grants totaling more than $100 Millions sponsored by various agencies like NOAA, NASA, NSF, USAID, US Department of Education, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and others.

Dr. Khanbilvardi attended many conferences and workshops, and has more than 200 national and international level publications to his credit and also published 5 books as an Editor. Dr. Khanbilvardi is also a member of various professional organizations and societies like ASCE, AGU, and International Water Research; Association; Water Research; American Water Resources Association and National Ground Water Association and others. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in states of New York and Connecticut.