Personal statement

Amin Talei is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Civil Engineering Department at Monash University Malaysia. His research areas are mainly in:

(1) Sustainable Urban Water Management which is focused on nature-based solutions such as biofiltration systems, swales, rain gardens, etc. in urban water management.

(2) Rainfall-Runoff Modelling and Flood Forecasting which tries to develop both physically-based models and artificial intelligence techniques to better predict river flows and floods.

Amin had three successful government grants (2 FRGS from Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia and one eScience from Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Malaysia) and one research grant from Advanced Engineering Platform of Monash University as the project leader. He has been also the co-researcher in another 3 government grants, 1 industry grant, and 1 international grant from the European Union. His research outputs have been published in over 80 journal articles, international conference proceedings, and book chapters. To date, six PhD and five Master’s students have graduated under his supervision as the main supervisor, while another 9 postgraduate students have had Amin as the co-supervisor. In 2017, Amin was awarded the supervisor of the year by Monash University Postgraduate Association (MUPA).

Amin led the Civil Engineering team as the head of the department from Sep-2019 to Dec-2022.

After leaving Monash in early 2023, Amin joined Melbourne Water as a Principal Engineer at Catchment Planning & Engineering Department, leading hydrological and hydraulic modelling tasks in drainage design projects. Amin is a Chartered Professional Engineer (Civil Engineer) of the Institute of Engineers Australia, MIEAust-CPEng and Registered Professional Engineer (Civil Engineer) certified by Victoria Business Licensing Authority.

Academic degrees

• Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental & Water Resources Engineering, Nanyang Technological University of Singapore, 2013
• Master's Degree in Civil Engineering-Hydraulic Structures, the University of Tehran, Iran, 2002
• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Shiraz University, Iran, 1999

Professional affiliations

• Member of Engineers Australia (EA)

Research Interests

• Sustainable Urban Water Management

• Hydrological Modelling & Forecasting

• Flood Modelling and Forecasting

• Artificial Intelligence in Hydrological Modelling

• Smart Cities

Research Projects

Title: Sustainable Management of Stormwater Quantity and Quality in Tropical Urban Catchment Using Biofiltration Basin - An Experimental Study

Biofiltration systems are landscape depressions or shallow basins used to slow and treat on-site stormwater runoff and are considered as one of the important components of a sustainable drainage system. This project is an experimental study followed by computational analysis to characterize the key components in designing Biofiltration systems for stormwater treatment under tropical conditions of Malaysia. This study has been focused on identifying proper soil filter media and also suitable tropical plant species to be employed in biofiltration systems.

Title: Real Time Rainfall - Runoff Modelling

This study is focused on developing real-time rainfall-runoff models using neuro-fuzzy systems which are capable of evolving through time. These models are designed to be updated continuously by their online learning mechanism which allows them to adapt to any potential spatial and temporal changes of the catchment.

Education

Units taught

CIV2263 - Water Systems

CIV3285 - Engineering Hydrology

CIV4288 - Water Treatment

Journal

Goh, Hui Weng; Lem, Khe Sin; Azizan, Nor Ariza; Chang, Chun Kiat; Talei, Amin; Leow, Cheng Siang; Zakaria, Nor Azazi (2019) A review of bioretention components and nutrient removal under different climates—future directions for tropics, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, (14904-14919), Volume: 26, Issue Number: 09441344, 10.1007/s11356-019-05041-0

Hermawan, Andreas Aditya; Talei, Amin; Leong, Janet Yip Cheng; Jayatharan, Mayuran; Goh, Hui Weng; Alaghmand, Sina (2019) Performance assessment of a laboratory scale prototype biofiltration system in tropical region, Sustainability (Switzerland), Volume: 11, 10.3390/su11071947

Daneshmand, Hossein; Alaghmand, Sina; Camporese, Matteo; Talei, Amin; Daly, Edoardo (2019) Water and salt balance modelling of intermittent catchments using a physically-based integrated model, Journal of Hydrology, (1017-1030), Volume: 568, Issue Number: 00221694, 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.11.035

Chang, Tak Kwin; Talei, Amin; Chua, Lloyd H.C.; Alaghmand, Sina (2018) The impact of training data sequence on the performance of neuro-fuzzy rainfall-runoff models with online learning, Water (Switzerland), Volume: 11, 10.3390/w11010052

Chang, Tak Kwin; Talei, Amin; Quek, Chai; Pauwels, Valentijn R.N. (2018) Rainfall-runoff modelling using a self-reliant fuzzy inference network with flexible structure, Journal of Hydrology, (1179-1193), Volume: 564, Issue Number: 00221694, 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.07.074

Nguyen, Phuoc Khac Tien; Chua, Lloyd Hock Chye; Talei, Amin; Chai, Quek Hiok (2018) Water level forecasting using neuro-fuzzy models with local learning, Neural Computing and Applications, (1877-1887), Volume: 30, Issue Number: 09410643, 10.1007/s00521-016-2803-9

Hermawan, Andreas Aditya; Chang, Jia Wei; Pasbakhsh, Pooria; Hart, Frank; Talei, Amin (2018) Halloysite nanotubes as a fine grained material for heavy metal ions removal in tropical biofiltration systems, Applied Clay Science, (106-115), Volume: 160, Issue Number: 01691317, 10.1016/j.clay.2017.12.051

Leong, Janet Yip Cheng; Chong, Meng Nan; Poh, Phaik Eong; Vieritz, Alison; Talei, Amin; Chow, Ming Fai (2018) Quantification of mains water savings from decentralised rainwater, greywater, and hybrid rainwater-greywater systems in tropical climatic conditions, Journal of Cleaner Production, (946-958), Volume: 176, Issue Number: 09596526, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.020

Chang, Tak Kwin; Talei, Amin; Alaghmand, Sina; Ooi, Melanie Po Leen (2017) Choice of rainfall inputs for event-based rainfall-runoff modeling in a catchment with multiple rainfall stations using data-driven techniques, Journal of Hydrology, (100-108), Volume: 545, Issue Number: 00221694, 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2016.12.024

Leong, Janet Yip Cheng; Chong, Meng Nan; Poh, Phaik Eong; Hermawan, Andreas; Talei, Amin (2017) Longitudinal assessment of rainwater quality under tropical climatic conditions in enabling effective rainwater harvesting and reuse schemes, Journal of Cleaner Production, (64-75), Volume: 143, Issue Number: 09596526, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.12.149

Mekanik, F.; Imteaz, M. A.; Talei, A. (2016) Seasonal rainfall forecasting by adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) using large scale climate signals, Climate Dynamics, (3097-3111), Volume: 46, Issue Number: 09307575, 10.1007/s00382-015-2755-2

Nawaz, Nadeem; Harun, Sobri; Talei, Amin; Chang, Tak Kwin (2016) Event-based rainfall-runoff modeling using adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system, Jurnal Teknologi, (41-46), Volume: 78, Issue Number: 01279696, 10.11113/jt.v78.9693

Asadnia, Mohsen; Chua, Lloyd H.C.; Talei, Amin; Qin, X. S. (2015) Closure to "Improved particle swarm optimization-based artificial neural network for rainfall-runoffmodeling" by Mohsen Asadnia, Lloyd H. C. Chua, X. S. Qin, and Amin Talei, Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, Volume: 20, Issue Number: 10840699, 10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0001200

Asadnia, Mohsen; Chua, Lloyd H.C.; Qin, X. S.; Talei, Amin (2014) Improved particle swarm optimization-based artificial neural network for rainfall-runoff modeling, Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, (1320-1329), Volume: 19, Issue Number: 10840699, 10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0000927

Talei, Amin; Chua, Lloyd Hock Chye; Quek, Chai; Jansson, Per Erik (2013) Runoff forecasting using a Takagi-Sugeno neuro-fuzzy model with online learning, Journal of Hydrology, (17-32), Volume: 488, Issue Number: 00221694, 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2013.02.022

Talei, Amin; Chua, Lloyd H.C. (2012) Influence of lag time on event-based rainfall-runoff modeling using the data driven approach, Journal of Hydrology, (223-233), Volume: 438-439, Issue Number: 00221694, 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.03.027

Talei, Amin; Chua, Lloyd Hock Chye; Quek, Chai (2010) A novel application of a neuro-fuzzy computational technique in event-based rainfall-runoff modeling, Expert Systems with Applications, (7456-7468), Volume: 37, Issue Number: 09574174, 10.1016/j.eswa.2010.04.015

Talei, Amin; Chua, Lloyd Hock Chye; Wong, Tommy S.W. (2010) Evaluation of rainfall and discharge inputs used by Adaptive Network-based Fuzzy Inference Systems (ANFIS) in rainfall-runoff modeling, Journal of Hydrology, (248-262), Volume: 391, Issue Number: 00221694, 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2010.07.023

Book

Hermawan, Andreas Aditya; Jung, Da Yoon; Talei, Amin (2018) Removal Process of Nutrients and Heavy Metals in Tropical Biofilters, E3S Web of Conferences, Volume: 65, 10.1051/e3sconf/20186505026

Chang, Tak Kwin; Talei, Amin; Quek, Chai (2018) Rainfall-runoff modelling in a semi-urbanized catchment using self-adaptive Fuzzy Inference Network, IJCCI 2018 - Proceedings of the 10th International Joint Conference on Computational Intelligence, (86-97), https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85059141080&origin=resultslist

Kwin, Chang Tak; Talei, Amin; Alaghmand, Sina; Chua, Lloyd H.C. (2016) Rainfall-runoff Modeling Using Dynamic Evolving Neural Fuzzy Inference System with Online Learning, Procedia Engineering, (1103-1109), Volume: 154, 10.1016/j.proeng.2016.07.518

Talei, A.; Chua, L. H.C.; Quek, C. (2011) Dynamic evolving neural-fuzzy inference system for rainfall-runoff (R-R) modelling, 34th IAHR Congress 2011 - Balance and Uncertainty: Water in a Changing World, Incorporating the 33rd Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium and the 10th Conference on Hydraulics in Water Engineering, (1514-1521), https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85066114159&origin=resultslist

Local grants

• Sustainable Management of Stormwater Quantity and Quality in Tropical Urban Catchments Using Biofiltration Basins- an Experimental Study, Talei, A. , Deletic, A., Zakaria, N.A., Wu, T. Y., Alaghmand, S., Saw L. G., 2015-2018, MOSTI-eScience, RM151, 600
• An advanced river flood risk map prediction for flood disaster management: economical and ecological assessment framework, Talei, A. , Alaghmand, S., Hung Y. M., Abustan, I. B., 2015-2019, MOHE-FRGS, RM92, 200
• A novel computing method based on artificial intelligence for real-time flood Forecasting, Talei, A. , Ooi, P.L., 2014-2018, MOHE-FRGS, RM91,300
• A sustainable green wall system survives by recycled grey water, Talei, A., Poh P.E., Barclay, H., Sarker, A.,  2016-2018, Advanced Engineering Platform, Monash University Malaysia, RM65,700
• South Quay water quality control, Khu S.T., Talei, A., 2019-2020, Sunway Group, RM100,000.
• Smart Lab for Engineering Design (SLED) , Talei, A., Kalavally, V., Lim J.N., Balan, P., Chew, E., 2018-2019,  Monash Strategic Education Funding, RM280,500.
• Acoustic analysis of tropical raindrops impact into different surface types: a theoretical framework to develop a smart acoustic rainfall estimation model, Talei, A., Zahidi, I., Thong T.B., Shafri, H.Z. M., Wong K.S., Liew J.Y., 2021-2024, MOHE-FRGS, RM119,063.

International Grants

• RECONECT- Regenerating ECOsystems with Nature-based solutions for hydro-meteorological risk Reduction, Khu S.T., Talei, A., 2018-2023, European Commission Research and Innovation Funding (Horizon 2020-SC5-08-2017), RM500,000

Completed supervision

Andreas Aditya Hermawan

Biofiltration System for Stormwater Management in Tropical Areas

2014 - 2018

Monash University Malaysia

Hossein Daneshmand

Investigating the Role of Vegetation and Climate Change in Ephemeral Catchment Salinity Using Multi-domain, Physically-based Modelling

2016-2018

Monash University Malaysia

Ong Hon Lim

Hydrological Impacts of Land Use Change on Streamflow Quantity in Klang Catchment

2015-2017

Monash University Malaysia

Chang Tak Kwin

Real-time Flood Forecasting by Dynamic Evolving Neuro-fuzzy Systems

2015 - 2019

Monash University Malaysia

Moahmmed Alkhatib

Acoustic Rainfall Sensing for Mapping Spatial-Temporal Variation of Rainfall Events

2020-2024

Monash University Malaysia

Youssef Shalaby

Rainfall sensing through image processing for improving spatial-temporal rainfall maps in urban areas

2021-2024

Monash University Malaysia

Mayuran Jayatharan

An Integrated Approach Towards Developing Flood Risk Maps Incorporating an Assessment Framework for Nature-Based

2020-2024

Monash University Malaysia

Ong Hun Lee

Acoustic analysis of tropical rainfall in an urban environment with different impact surfaces

2022-2024

Monash University Malaysia

Local Award/Recognition/Exhibition/Stewardship

• Certificate of Commendation for Excellence in Education from School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia (Apr 2019)

• Certificate of Commendation for Excellence in Education from School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia (Jan 2017)

• Supervisor of the Year, MUPA, 2017