Agricultural Resiliency Program

EAST LANSING, Mich. —  To promote research that safeguards Michigan’s access to freshwater resources for agricultural systems amid variable weather patterns and extreme weather events, the Agricultural Resiliency Program was launched in 2024 by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Michigan Plant Coalition, Michigan State University AgBioResearch, and MSU Extension.

The program has contributed to this, in part, by supporting a cluster hire of several new MSU faculty members and MSU Extension educators who have expertise in this area —including Mohammad Reza Alizadeh, who’ll lead research on freshwater resilience.

Alizadeh is a scholar on Earth system science who studies processes that connect the atmosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere with the interactions between geophysical and interior Earth dynamics. In other words, he focuses on how Earth’s air, land and water interact with each other and what their interconnectedness looks like across space and time.

With experience assessing how variable weather conditions impact groundwater availability and agricultural systems in different parts of the world, as well as using data-driven methods to analyze land-atmosphere interactions that drive extreme weather events, Alizadeh will join the MSU Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering as an assistant professor starting July 1, 2025.

He uses advanced approaches involving analytical techniques, remote sensing and geospatial and environmental data science to understand how the Earth responds under different conditions.   

Some of these responses can take form as extreme weather events, including droughts, heatwaves, wildfires and floods. Alizadeh examines the degree and frequency to which these events happen when certain variables are met, and how communities and resources are impacted when they take place.    

“Ultimately, my research is motivated by a desire to develop actionable engineering solutions for sustainability and resilience in the face of these escalating challenges,” Alizadeh said. “I aim to translate scientific understanding into predictive tools and management strategies that can inform decision-making and contribute to the protection of water resources and communities.”

Alizadeh said when he begins his appointment at MSU, his research priorities will all work toward promoting and safeguarding Michigan agriculture and natural resources. Some priorities Alizadeh emphasized will be to analyze historical and projected extreme weather events in Michigan, develop predictive tools for compound extremes (such as droughts followed by excessive rainfall, or heatwaves occurring simultaneously with water stress), and quantify how shifting and extreme weather patterns affect water resources (such as surface water availability, soil moisture and groundwater levels).

From his research, Alizadeh said he hopes he can improve awareness and forecasting, develop targeted adaptation strategies and provide data-driven support for Michigan stakeholders, decision-makers and vulnerable communities (including farmers, producers and landowners) experiencing these events.

“We’re excited to welcome Dr. Alizadeh to the MSU Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering,” said Bradley Marks, an MSU professor and chairperson of the department. “His cutting-edge research on Earth system processes using innovative computational methods, with the direct engagement of stakeholders, will provide invaluable data-driven insights and tools to support Michigan farmers and natural resource managers in challenges they may face due to extreme weather or lack of resources.”

Alizadeh earned a bachelor’s degree in water resources engineering and a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Shiraz University in Iran, and a doctorate in environmental engineering from McGill University in Canada. Since 2023, he’s been a postdoctoral associate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) specializing in civil and environmental engineering.

What Alizadeh said he’s looking forward to most about his appointment at MSU is a chance to work collaboratively with researchers to make a tangible impact for Michiganders involved in agriculture and natural resources.

“My academic goals are intertwined with my desire to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future,” Alizadeh said. “I’m committed to conducting rigorous academic research that not only advances scientific knowledge, but also provides practical, data-driven solutions that directly benefit communities, particularly here in Michigan.

“The strong emphasis MSU places on research that directly serves the public good and addresses real-world challenges, particularly in areas like agriculture and natural resources through programs such as the Agricultural Resiliency Program, deeply resonates with my own research philosophy and desire for impactful work. I'm looking forward to the collaborative environment and potential to interact with faculty whose research complements my own to advance MSU’s land-grant mission.”

Michigan State University AgBioResearch scientists discover dynamic solutions for food systems and the environment. More than 300 MSU faculty conduct leading-edge research on a variety of topics, from health and agriculture to natural resources. Originally formed in 1888 as the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, MSU AgBioResearch oversees numerous on-campus research facilities, as well as 15 outlying centers throughout Michigan. To learn more, visit agbioresearch.msu.edu.