Tarek Kandakji
Tarek Kandakji
Tarek Kandakji is a Quantitative Methodologist in Medicine at the Center for Innovations In Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety (IQuESt) at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Before joining the IQuESt, Dr. Kandakji was a Remote Sensing Specialist and the Yale Center for Earth Observation manager at the Yale School of the Environment, Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. As a researcher with a Ph.D. in Geosciences, Dr. Kandakji has over 12 years of experience in geospatial analysis and modeling, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and data analysis. He has a demonstrated track record in conducting research in multi-disciplinary environments and has authored multiple research papers.
“Don’t rush, take your time, carefully plan and pursue your goals. It’s not about being complacent or delaying action; it's about preparing meticulously and being patient in your approach. If things don’t fall into place right away, don’t be discouraged. Trust in your vision and your gut, stay persistent.” - Dr. Tarek Kandakji, 2024.
Al Zubi, R., Gill, T. E., Lee, J. A., Ardon-Dryer, K., & Kandakji, T. (2024). Spatiotemporal analysis of sand and dust emission point sources detected from satellite imagery in Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. Science of The Total Environment, 175157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175157
Zikiou, N., Rushmeier, H., Capel, M. I., Kandakji, T., Rios, N., & Lahdir, M. (2024). Remote Sensing and Machine Learning for Accurate Fire Severity Mapping in Northern Algeria. Remote Sensing, 16(9), 1517. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16091517
Kandakji, T., Li, X. Y., Li, X., Fan, Z., Mi, L., Song, Z., ... & Song, X. P. (2022). Civil war hinders crop production and threatens food security in Syria. Nature Food, 3(1), 38-46. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-021-00432-4
Kandakji, T., Gill, T. E., & Lee, J. A. (2021). Drought and land use/land cover impact on dust sources in Southern Great Plains and Chihuahuan Desert of the US: Inferring anthropogenic effect. Science of the Total Environment, 755, 142461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142461
Kandakji, T., Gill, T. E., & Lee, J. A. (2020). Identifying and characterizing dust point sources in the southwestern United States using remote sensing and GIS. Geomorphology, 353, 107019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2019.107019
Dr. Tarek Kandakji was born in Homs, Syria. He is the eldest son of Najdat Kandakji and Nabila Kurdi. He spent his early childhood in Syria with his younger brother and mother while his father, a high school teacher, relocated to Amman, Jordan, in the late 1980s. After six years of separation, his family joined his father in Jordan in the mid-1990s. Throughout his childhood, Dr. Kandakji and his family frequently visited Syria to reunite with the family and friends they had left behind. He graduated from high school in Jordan in the summer of 2001.
After high school, Dr. Kandakji continued his studies at the University of Jordan in Amman. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Resources and Environment from the University of Jordan (UJ) in September 2005. He then pursued graduate studies, earning his first Master of Science in Land, Water, and Environment from UJ in June 2010. He completed his second Master of Science in Soil Science at Texas Tech University in May 2015, focusing on arsenic (As) chemistry in the semi-arid soils of the Southern High Plains (SHP) of Texas. Continuing his quest for knowledge, Dr. Kandakji obtained a Graduate Certificate in GIS Science and Technology from Texas Tech University in May 2017. He furthered his academic goals by earning his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Geosciences from Texas Tech University (TTU) in Lubbock, Texas, in December 2020, completing his dissertation titled “Identifying and Spatio-temporal Analysis of Dust Point Sources in the Southwestern United States and Applying Robotics in Wind Erosion Studies.”
Dr. Kandakji’s research objectives focused on using the cutting-edge technology of Google Earth Engine and other open-source tools to reach a robust classification method to accurately model earth system processes, like the emission of dust and minerals and its effect on health, using satellite images. Additionally, he focused on coupling remote sensing and geospatial analysis with ground data collection to study the impact of environmental factors on arid and semi-arid areas that may suffer from drought. Dr. Kandakji used drones, PXRF, and field portable spectroradiometer for data collection, among other tools and instruments.
Dr. Kandakji is fluent in both Arabic and English. His areas of academic and professional expertise, cultivated throughout his educational journey, include specialties in environmental science, earth science, ecology, atmosphere, air quality, water quality, geomorphology, hydrology, environmental health, land management, and land conservation. He has also developed expertise in climate change, desertification, wind erosion, teaching, research, GIS, remote sensing, soil sampling and analysis, radiometer application, facilitating fieldwork, and progress reporting.
Before joining the Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Kandakji conducted multidisciplinary research for national and international organizations. With more than a decade of experience in both academic and non-academic research, he has worked at and collaborated with many non-governmental organizations, international governmental organizations, government agencies, and universities in Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S. Throughout his graduate education, Dr. Kandakji worked as a research assistant, teaching assistant, consultant, and instructor.
During his graduate studies at UJ, Dr. Kandakji joined a team of scientists from the University of Jordan and Guelph University in Ontario, Canada, on a project funded by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to study desertification in Northern Jordan using remote sensing indices and in-situ measurements. While working on this project, he met an inspirational mentor and advisor: Dr. Jawad Al-Bakri, a professor in the Department of Land, Water, and Environment at UJ. Dr. Al-Bakri exposed Dr. Kandakji to the world of monitoring Earth from space. Through this project, Dr. Kandakji gained work experience that would impact the rest of his career trajectory. He knew exactly what he wanted to do with his career: use satellite images to study environmental-human interaction in time and space.
When the Syrian Revolution began in March 2011 in response to the brutal atrocities committed by President Bashar Al-Assad's regime, Dr. Kandakji publicly expressed his support for his fellow Syrians and the peaceful, nonpartisan, and independent demonstrations against the dictatorship led by the Al-Ba’ath Party and the Al-Assad family. After decades of torture and bombardment of civilians, the Syrian people triumphed and achieved their long-awaited freedom. The 54 years of dictatorship under Al-Assad and Al-Ba’ath were finally overthrown in a decisive and humiliating defeat on the morning of Sunday, December 8, 2024. Dr. Kandakji is among the millions of Syrians worldwide who hope for a peaceful and stable future in their homeland.
In October 2012, Dr. Kandakji joined the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) as a consultant after the organization relocated its offices from Aleppo, Syria, to Amman, Jordan, due to the armed conflict in Syria. During this time, Dr. Kandakji met his future wife, Dr. Ruba Al Zubi, a doctoral student at UJ. They married in May 2013. In June 2013, Dr. Kandakji received an assistantship to pursue his doctoral studies in the Department of Plant and Soil Science (PSS) at Texas Tech University (TTU) in Lubbock, Texas. He moved to the United States to continue his studies with his wife just 10 days after their marriage in Amman.
After spending a year at PSS, it became clear to Dr. Kandakji that his current path in the department did not align well with his work experience or interests. He finished the master’s degree requirement and graduated from PSS in May 2015 with a Master of Science in Soil Science, publishing two papers from his master’s thesis.
Fortunately, Dr. Kandakji discovered that the Department of Geosciences at TTU aligned better with his interests. He received a research assistantship to pursue his PhD under the supervision of Dr. Jeff Lee, working on a project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Kandakji’s doctoral research focused on detecting dust point sources from satellite images and using robotics to collect data in the field during a dust storm. Alongside his research, Dr. Kandakji was a teaching assistant in the Department of Geosciences for the Spatial Analysis and Modeling course. He also served as a Graduate Part-Time Instructor (instructor of records), teaching the Introduction to Remote Sensing course in the Department of Geosciences at TTU.
Before his PhD dissertation defense, Dr. Kandakji published two chapters in two high-profile journals: Geomorphology and Science of the Total Environment. By the time he was awarded his PhD in December 2020, he had authored over ten scientific articles and been nominated for full membership in Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society. This prestigious society includes over 200 Nobel Laureates, including Albert Einstein. Furthermore, Dr. Kandakji serves as a reviewer for many top-quality peer-reviewed journals, including Science of the Total Environment, Communications Earth & Environment (an open-access journal from Nature Portfolio), Journal of Environmental Management, and many more.
After graduating from TTU with his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Geosciences, Dr. Kandakji accepted a position at Yale University as a Remote Sensing Specialist and manager of the Yale Center for Earth Observation (YCEO) at the Yale School of the Environment. While working at YCEO and engaging in a casual conversation with founder Dr. Ronald Smith, Dr. Kandakji discovered that his mentor and role model, Dr. Jawad Al-Bakri, interned at YCEO in the 1990s during his graduate studies. This realization struck him as a poignant and emotional surprise.
During his time at Yale, Dr. Kandakji pursued his interest in applying remote sensing and GIS to human exposure to environmental hazards, particularly airborne particles. He served as a principal investigator (PI) on a project funded by the Natural Land Funds at Yale and as a co-principal investigator (CO-PI) on a project funded by the Yale Planetary Solution Seed Grants program. He has also provided consultations in geospatial data science to several researchers, faculty, and students across Yale and the scientific community worldwide.
After nearly three years at Yale, Dr. Kandakji accepted a position as a Quantitative Methodologist in Medicine at the Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety (IQuESt) at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) in Houston, Texas. IQuESt serves as a collaborative section within BCM's Department of Medicine and operates as a Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Systems Research Center of Innovation at the Texas Medical Center.
His work as a Quantitative Methodologist in Medicine includes a promotion track to an Assistant Professorship in Medicine. Dr. Kandakji will develop methods and techniques to apply remote sensing and geospatial data analysis to public health and medicine. He will also create an educational component for BCM students, staff, and faculty. In his current role, Dr. Kandakji plans to continue advancing his career goal of applying geospatial tools and science to human health, observing Earth from space, and using these vital environmental observations to benefit human health.
The Federal Aviation Administration has licensed Dr. Kandakji as a remote pilot for small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAV). He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the Professional Soil Scientist Association of Texas (PSSAT), the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), and the American Association of Geographers (AAG).
While working on an academic project, Dr. Kandakji met an inspiring mentor and advisor: Dr. Jawad Al-Bakri, a professor in the Department of Land, Water, and Environment at the University of Jordan. Dr. Al-Bakri introduced Dr. Kandakji to the field of monitoring Earth from space. Through this mentorship experience, Dr. Kandakji gained valuable work experience that would influence his career trajectory. He concentrated on advancing his skills in using satellite images to study the interaction between humans and the environment over time and space. While at the Yale Center for Earth Observation (YCEO) at the Yale School of the Environment, Dr. Kandakji discovered that his mentor and role model, Dr. Jawad Al-Bakri, had been an intern in the 1990s while pursuing his graduate studies. In the following years, Dr. Kandakji’s mentorship experience came full circle throughout his career, transitioning from being mentored and supported to mentoring and encouraging others.
Dr. Kandakji has had a wonderful experience mentoring others after being mentored himself. He has provided mentorship and academic and career assistance to his students at Texas Tech University (TTU) and the Yale School of the Environment. He mentored undergraduate students completing their senior theses and student interns completing internships. While at Yale, he served as a guest instructor to the Observing Earth from Space course and Workshop on Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry with Drones class. Memorable mentorship experiences include serving as the Senior Thesis Advisor for an Undergraduate Project at the Yale School of the Environment, investigating “The Effects of the War on Wheat Production in Ukraine Using Remote Sensing and Google Earth Engine.” His mentee graduated in May 2023. He also enjoyed serving as one of the Student Intern Mentors for the Summer Internship program at the Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies for the summer of 2024.
For young people of color considering a career in the environmental field, Dr. Kandakji says: “Don’t rush, take your time, carefully plan and pursue your goals. It’s not about being complacent or delaying action; it's about preparing meticulously and being patient in your approach. If things don’t fall into place right away, don’t be discouraged. Trust in your vision and your gut, stay persistent. Believe in your path; it will come together in time, and you will reach the pinnacle and the heights you’ve always dreamed of. Yes, we, people of color, will always face unique challenges and experience unfair treatment, I have been, and am still going through this myself, but remember that change is gradually taking place. Recognition and appreciation for our contributions are on the rise. When you have clear evidence that you’re being marginalized solely because of your identity, you have the right to speak up. Do so with confidence, intelligence, and respect. In that context, bringing your identity to the table is a strength, not a weakness.”
Tarek Kandakji. n.d. Home [LinkedIn Page]. LinkedIn. Retrieved August 13, 2024, from https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarek-kandakji-3a214444/
Tarek Kandakji. PhD in Geosciences, Google Scholar Profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=i2MFu00AAAAJ&hl=en
Tarek Kandakji, Baylor College of Medicine Staff Directory, Retrieved January 31 2024, from https://www.bcm.edu/people-search/tarek-kandakji-172751
KCBD News Channel, “Texas Tech student fears for family's life in Syria,” August 28, 2013, https://www.kcbd.com/story/23282926/texas-tech-student-fears-for-familys...
KCBD News Channel, “Student from Syria worried about family as war with ISIS escalates,” September 24, 2014, https://www.kcbd.com/story/26610145/student-from-syria-worried-about-fam...
(JEDSI) Survey and interviews conducted by Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative staff. 2022-2024. Yale University-School of the Environment. New Haven, Connecticut.