Rate My Professor Tara Zirakbash

Dr. Tara Zirakbash is an academic staff member in the School of Engineering and Energy at Murdoch University, where she contributes to teaching and research in environmental engineering. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Engineering from Murdoch University in 2024, with a doctoral thesis titled "Determination of Maximum Groundwater Level Surface." Her professional background encompasses diverse roles in consulting, government, and academia, with expertise in hydrological and hydrogeological analysis, modelling, environmental modelling, sustainable management, spatial analysis using GIS, and parameter estimation. Dr. Zirakbash's work focuses on practical applications for civil engineering projects, urban development, and water resource management, particularly in Western Australia.

Dr. Zirakbash has authored key publications advancing groundwater assessment methodologies. Notable among them is "Assessing Interpolation Methods for Accuracy of Design Groundwater Levels for Civil Projects," published in the Journal of Hydrologic Engineering in 2020 (Volume 25, Issue 9, DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0001982), co-authored with Ryan Admiraal, Anastasia Boronina, and Parisa A. Bahri, which evaluates interpolation techniques to enhance accuracy in design groundwater levels. She has also contributed to research on maximum groundwater levels for urban development, evaluating various calculation methods, and optimization of permeate backwashing for ceramic membrane fouling in anaerobic membrane bioreactors (2019). As a dedicated educator, she serves as tutor, lecturer, and unit coordinator for ENG 215 in the Discipline of Engineering and Energy. Dr. Zirakbash engages with industry and community through events such as the environmental engineering presentation at Coogee Live in 2025, WA Student Water Prize presentations, and organizing committees for water and wastewater systems conferences. She supports emerging researchers via the Sandrina Park Graduate Award 2026 for PhD studies in water management in mining. Her contributions influence urban planning, sustainable water practices, and mining sector water challenges.