Muqeet Ahmad

Glaciologist & Geologist | Cryosphere Researcher
Glaciologist and Geologist specializing in glacier dynamics, cryosphere remote sensing, high-mountain hydrology, and climate-driven glacier and permafrost modelling.
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Muqeet Ahmad
01 / Profile

About Me

Muqeet Ahmad is a Glaciologist and Geologist specializing in glacier dynamics, mass balance modelling, cryosphere remote sensing, permafrost and rock glacier mapping, and high-mountain hydrology. He holds an M.Sc. in Environmental Science with a specialization in Glaciology from Kathmandu University and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Earth Science from Karakoram International University, where he graduated with a Gold Medal.

His research focuses on glacier evolution, surface elevation change, ice-flow dynamics, and glacier meltwater contributions in the Karakoram and Upper Indus Basin. His work includes applying OGGM, IGM, and Glacio-Hydrological Degree Day modelling frameworks with CMIP6 climate scenarios, alongside satellite-derived DEMs, SAR, optical imagery, and Google Earth Engine. He is also engaged in deep-learning-based rock glacier mapping and machine-learning assessment of permafrost probability changes.

Alongside his research, Muqeet has professional experience in geology, mining operations, resource estimation, geochemical analysis, geological surveying, GIS, and remote sensing. He is proficient in Python, MATLAB, R, GIS platforms, Google Earth Engine, deep learning, satellite data analysis, and geospatial modelling, with a strong interdisciplinary focus on cryosphere science, climate change, hydrology, and high-mountain environmental systems.

02 / Expertise

Technical Skills

Glaciological Modelling

  • OGGM (Open Global Glacier Model) 90%
  • Instructed Glacier Model (IGM) 90%
  • Glacio-Hydrological Degree Day Model (GDM) 90%
  • CMIP6 Data Processing 90%

Programming

  • Python 90%
  • xarray 90%
  • GDAL 90%
  • Rasterio 90%
  • Geopandas 90%
  • Folium 90%
  • ArcPy 90%
  • MATLAB 90%
  • R 90%
  • SQL 90%

GIS & Remote Sensing

  • ArcGIS Desktop/Pro 90%
  • QGIS 90%
  • ERDAS IMAGINE 90%
  • ENVI 90%
  • ESA SNAP 90%
  • Google Earth Engine (GEE) 90%
  • Global Mapper 90%
  • ILWIS 90%

Satellite Data & Analysis

  • Multi-temporal DEM Differencing 90%
  • SAR Surface Velocity 90%
  • MODIS (MOD10A2) 90%
  • Sentinel-1/2 90%
  • Surface Elevation Change (dh/dt) 90%
  • Mann-Kendall Trend Analysis 90%

Photogrammetry

  • Agisoft Metashape 90%
  • WebODM 90%
  • Structure from Motion (SfM) 90%
  • UAV Survey Processing 90%

Office & Communication

  • Microsoft Office 90%
  • Scientific Writing 90%
  • Oral Presentation 90%
03 / Offerings

Services Offered

Glacier & Cryosphere Modelling

Glacier mass balance, dynamics, meltwater contribution, and climate impact modelling using OGGM, IGM, and glacio-hydrological models.

Cryosphere Remote Sensing

Satellite-based monitoring and analysis of glaciers, snow cover, surface elevation changes, and ice flow using optical, SAR, DEM, and MODIS data.

Glacier Dynamics & Change Analysis

Analysis of glacier surface elevation change, ice flow velocity, glacier geometry, and long-term glacier behaviour using multi-temporal datasets.

Permafrost & Rock Glacier Mapping

GIS, remote sensing, machine learning, and deep learning solutions for rock glacier inventory development and permafrost probability mapping.

GIS & Geospatial Analysis

Professional GIS-based spatial analysis, geomorphological mapping, terrain analysis, and geospatial data processing using ArcGIS, QGIS, and related platforms.

Hydrological & Climate Modelling

Climate-driven hydrological assessment, glacier meltwater modelling, CMIP6 climate data analysis, and projection of future water regimes.

Satellite Data Processing

Processing and analysis of Sentinel, MODIS, DEM, SAR, and other satellite datasets for environmental and high-mountain applications.

Deep Learning & Machine Learning for Earth Science

Application of deep learning and machine learning techniques for environmental classification, permafrost assessment, rock glacier mapping, and spatial prediction.

Photogrammetry & UAV Data Processing

UAV survey processing, photogrammetric analysis, Structure from Motion, and high-resolution terrain and surface modelling.

Geological & Mining Analysis

Geological investigations, resource estimation, ore block modelling, mining site assessment, and GIS-supported geological analysis.
04 / History

Work Experience

A chronicle of my professional career, highlighting achievements, key responsibilities, and technologies deployed in industry settings.

Researcher — Glacier Ice Dynamics and Surface Elevation Change

Jan 2026 – Present
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Analysing multi-temporal satellite-derived surface elevation change and glacier flow velocities for seven glaciers in the western Karakoram using the Instructed Glacier Model (IGM), satellite altimetry, optical stereo DEM, and SAR-derived datasets. Investigating glacier geometry, surface mass balance, ice flow dynamics, and surge-type behaviour.

Researcher — Rock Glacier Mapping and Permafrost Assessment

Jan 2026 – Present
Upper Indus Basin Research Project
Updated rock glacier inventories using DeepLabV3+ deep learning semantic segmentation and assessed permafrost probability changes using machine learning models, DEM, terrain variables, MODIS, and WorldClim datasets for the Upper Indus Basin.

M.Sc. Thesis Researcher — Glacier Dynamics and Hydrology

Aug 2024 – Jul 2026
Kathmandu University / Himalayan Cryosphere, Climate and Disaster Research Center (HiCCDRC)
Implemented a coupled Open Global Glacier Model (OGGM) and Glacio-Hydrological Degree Day Model to simulate glacier mass balance, area, volume, and meltwater runoff in the Hunza Basin. Processed CMIP6 climate datasets and performed uncertainty and sensitivity analysis using Python, MATLAB, GIS, and Google Earth Engine.

Undergraduate Thesis Researcher

Jan 2021 – Dec 2022
Karakoram International University (KIU)
Investigated the impact of glacial sedimentation on water seepage dynamics in Attaabad Lake, Hunza, using field surveys, sediment sampling, GIS-based spatial analysis, QGIS, and ArcGIS.

Geologist

Feb 2023 – Dec 2025
Gilgit Oriental Mining (Private) Limited
Directed resource estimation and copper ore block modelling, supervised bench-by-bench grade-wise ore extraction, managed open-pit mining operations, monitored slope stability, and coordinated ore transportation and site progress records.

Geochemical Analyst

May 2023 – Jun 2024
Gilgit Ore Testing Center (Private) Limited
Operated Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) for elemental analysis of rock and ore samples including Cu, Pb, Zn, Au, Ag, and Li. Prepared samples through crushing, grading, and solution preparation and produced laboratory test reports.

Geology Technician

Oct 2022 – Feb 2023
Engineering Group Consultancy (EGC)
Tested and inspected road construction materials, conducted geological and site inspections, and prepared technical reports for engineering and construction activities.

Geologist

Jan 2020 – Mar 2021
Raushan Hakis Yangal Marble and Mining Company
Conducted geological investigations of mining sites using drone surveys, field mapping, GIS, and remote sensing techniques.

Survey Enumerator

Jun 2022 – Jul 2022
Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP)
Collected, organized, and analysed socioeconomic survey data through structured door-to-door fieldwork.

Secretary

Jul 2022 – Jul 2023
Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board — Local Gilgit
Maintained organizational records and board meeting minutes and managed communications and coordination among board members.

Community Master Trainer (CMT)

Mar 2022 – Apr 2023
Aga Khan Agency for Habitat Pakistan
Delivered first aid and disaster risk reduction training to community members and supported community-level preparedness and awareness activities.

District Scout Secretary (DSS)

Jul 2020 – Jul 2022
Ismaili District Boy Scouts Association Gilgit
Managed district records and communications and coordinated information exchange between the district council and government and NGO partners.
05 / Education

Education Credentials

M.Sc. Environmental Science — Specialisation in Glaciology

2024 – 2026
Kathmandu University, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering

B.Sc. (Hons) Earth Science — Gold Medal, Distinction

2018 – 2022
Karakoram International University (KIU)
06 / Soft Skills

Achievements

Gold Medal — Top Graduating Student B.Sc. (Hons) Earth Science with Distinction Research Publication — The Cryosphere
07 / Verification

Certifications

  • Incident Command System Level 100 (ICS-100)
    Justice Institute of British Columbia and Aga Khan Agency for Habitat Pakistan
08 / Training

Registrations & Trainings

  • Cryosphere Hydrology, Hazard Modelling and Field Survey Techniques in the HKH Region
    HiCCDRC and ICIMOD, Kathmandu University
  • Cryosphere Monitoring and Risk Assessment in the HKH Region
    ICIMOD and HiCCDRC, Kathmandu University
  • Remote Sensing for Hazard Monitoring and Modelling in High Mountain Asia
    Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) in collaboration with ICIMOD
  • Tracking Snow and Ice: Hands-on Sessions with Google Earth Engine
    Small Earth Nepal
  • ISF Brainstorm Capacity Building Event
    University of Leeds, ICIMOD, Kathmandu University, Tribhuvan University
  • GIS and Remote Sensing
    EvK2CNR in collaboration with KIU and University of Cagliari, Italy
  • Managing Sedimentation Risk in Hydropower Projects (RESCON 2 Model)
    Hydropower Transboundary Working Group, Koshi Disaster Risk Reduction Knowledge Hub (ICIMOD)
  • Incident Command System Level 100 (ICS-100)
    Justice Institute of British Columbia and Aga Khan Agency for Habitat Pakistan
  • Climate Change — Nine-Week Workshop
    School of Climate Change, University of Oxford
09 / Portfolio

Flagship Projects

Projection of Glacier Dynamics and Hydrological Regimes in the Hunza Basin
Portfolio

Projection of Glacier Dynamics...

M.Sc. thesis research applying a coupled Open Global Glacier Model (OGGM) and Glacio-Hydrological Degree Day Model (GDM)...

Glacier Ice Dynamics and Surface Elevation Change in the Western Karakoram
Portfolio

Glacier Ice Dynamics and Surfa...

Research project analysing surface elevation change and glacier flow velocities across seven Karakoram glaciers using th...

Rock Glacier Mapping and Permafrost Probability Assessment in the Upper Indus Basin
Portfolio

Rock Glacier Mapping and Perma...

Research project using DeepLabV3+ deep learning semantic segmentation and machine learning models to update rock glacier...

Snow Cover Change Analysis in the Hunza Region
Portfolio

Snow Cover Change Analysis in ...

Research study analysing snow cover changes in the Hunza region using MODIS snow products and meteorological data.

Impact of Sedimentation on Water Seepage Capacity of Attaabad Lake
Portfolio

Impact of Sedimentation on Wat...

Undergraduate thesis investigating the impact of glacial sedimentation on water seepage dynamics in Attaabad Lake, Hunza...

Copper Ore Resource Estimation and Block Modelling
Portfolio

Copper Ore Resource Estimation...

Professional geological project involving copper ore resource estimation, ore block modelling, grade-wise extraction pla...

10 / Contributions

Platform Contributions

Glacier Dynamics and Hydrological Modelling

Contributed to glacier mass balance, dynamics, and meltwater modelling in the Hunza Basin through the integration of OGGM and Glacio-Hydrological Degree Day modelling with CMIP6 climate scenarios.

Karakoram Glacier Monitoring

Contributed to the assessment of glacier surface elevation change and ice flow dynamics across seven glaciers in the western Karakoram using multi-temporal satellite observations and the Instructed Glacier Model.

Rock Glacier and Permafrost Mapping

Contributed to updating rock glacier inventories and assessing historical and recent permafrost probability changes across the Upper Indus Basin using deep learning, machine learning, GIS, and remote sensing techniques.

Cryosphere and Climate Research

Contributed to research on snow cover changes in the Hunza region through the analysis of MODIS snow products and meteorological observations.

Geological and Mining Resource Assessment

Contributed to copper resource estimation, ore block modelling, open-pit mining operations, grade control, and geological site assessment in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Community Disaster Risk Reduction Training

Contributed to community resilience and disaster preparedness by delivering first aid and disaster risk reduction training to community members through the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat Pakistan.

Youth and Community Leadership

Contributed to youth and community development through organizational leadership, record management, communication, and coordination with community, government, and NGO partners.
11 / Testimonials

Client Testimonials

“
Muqeet has demonstrated strong research capabilities in glaciology, glacier hydrology, and cryosphere science. His ability to work with advanced modelling frameworks, remote sensing datasets, and geospatial tools reflects a high level of technical competence and scientific commitment. He is a motivated researcher with strong potential to contribute meaningfully to high-mountain environmental research.
— Dr. Rijan Bhakta Kayastha, D.Sc.
“
Muqeet is a dedicated and technically capable Earth Science researcher with a strong interest in glaciology, remote sensing, GIS, and high-mountain processes. His analytical approach, field experience, and ability to apply modern geospatial and computational techniques to complex environmental problems make him a promising professional in his field.
— Dr. Garee Khan
“
Muqeet has shown strong research aptitude in glacier dynamics and surface elevation change analysis. His work with multi-temporal satellite observations and the Instructed Glacier Model demonstrates his ability to engage with advanced computational approaches to understand glacier behaviour in the Karakoram. He is a committed researcher with excellent potential for further contributions to cryosphere science.
— Dr. Pascal Emanuel Egli
12 / Contact

Get In Touch

Location Gilgit, Pakistan

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