Institute for Water Research - South Africa
AUTHOR PROFILE
DAVID GWAPEDZA, Ph.D.
David Gwapedza is a renowned expert in hydrological modeling, sediment transport modeling, and natural resource management, with extensive experience in African countries. He has demonstrated strong capabilities in providing intellectual leadership in collaborative research processes involving multiple partners in UKRI and WRC projects. David's strategic thinking allows him to conceptualize complex issues, write grant proposals, and lead impactful research projects.
EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
David earned his Ph.D. in Hydrology from Rhodes University, South Africa, where he developed and evaluated the sediment yield model (WQSED) for catchment management in African regions. His research concentrated on hydrological modeling, erosion and sediment modeling, and catchment management. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Hydrology from Rhodes University and a BSS (Honours) degree in Geography and Population Studies from Lupane State University in Zimbabwe.
RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Currently, David is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Rhodes University, where he drafts manuscripts, presents findings at international conferences, and conducts independent research. He is also a Project Leader and Principal Researcher at the Water Research Commission, where he conceptualizes projects, facilitates collaboration with research partners, and supervises students. His work involves applying hydrological models, leading stakeholder engagement initiatives, and writing scientific publications.
David has also served as a Research Scientist for the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), where he developed online courses, facilitated stakeholder engagement workshops, and provided hydrological modeling support for project partners. His experience includes a PhD exchange program at Technische Universität Braunschweig, where he worked on hydrological modeling using the PANTA RHEI Model.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND PROJECT LEADERSHIP
David has a proven track record in stakeholder engagement and project leadership. He has supported stakeholder engagement for the UKRI-ARUA water project in Rwanda and Uganda, facilitated workshops with the Western Cape Government-LandCare, and collaborated with the World Wildlife Fund. His role as a Project Leader at the Water Research Commission involves supervising students, preparing budgets, and managing project implementation.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
David's excellence in research has been recognized through various awards and scholarships. Notably, he received the Rhodes University research scholarship and the Berkeley scholarship for the BGW workshop. He has also been awarded for the best poster at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland, and received a scholarship from Santa Barbara University, California.
TEACHING AND MENTORING
David is committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of hydrologists. He supervises postgraduate students, lectures on hydrology courses, and develops tailored lectures and workshops. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of practical application and stakeholder engagement in water resource management.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO GIS AND REMOTE SENSING
David's expertise extends to GIS and remote sensing. He has worked as a GIS Intern, where he monitored and evaluated water supply systems, mapped aquifers and water points, and provided GIS information to stakeholders. His technical skills in using GIS software to identify water sources and digitize maps have been instrumental in various research and consultancy projects.
Through his extensive research, leadership, and stakeholder engagement, David Gwapedza continues to make significant contributions to hydrological modeling, catchment management, and natural resource management in Africa. His work not only advances scientific knowledge but also addresses critical water resource challenges in the region.
NOTABLE PUBLICATION
Modelling storm event-based sediment yield and assessing its heavy metal loading: case of Lake Victoria's Inner Murchison Bay catchment in Uganda 2024
Assessing soil erosion risk in a peri-urban catchment of the Lake Victoria basin 2023 (1)
Equity-based allocation criteria for water deficit periods: A case study in South Africa 2023 (2)
Regionalising MUSLE factors for application to a data-scarce catchment 2018 (19)
Prediction of sediment yield of the Inxu River catchment (South Africa) using the MUSLE 2021 (39)