Dr. Ayoub Lazaar |  Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Researcher at Center for Sustainable soil Sciences, College for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Science, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University Of Benguerir, Morocco

Dr. Ayoub Lazaar is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Sustainable Soil Sciences (C3S), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Morocco. He holds a Ph.D. in Geology and Geo-Environment and specializes in soil science, pedology, remote sensing, GIS, and spectroscopy (Vis-NIR/MIR). His research focuses on soil salinity assessment, spectral diagnostics of degradation, and geospatial modeling for sustainable land management. He has authored several peer-reviewed publications and developed Morocco’s first Vis-NIR soil spectral library. Dr. Lazaar has also led over 100 environmental impact assessments in his previous consultancy role. His innovations support precision agriculture and environmental sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions.

Profile:

• Google Scholar

🎓 Academic & Professional Background:

Dr. Ayoub Lazaar holds a Ph.D. in Geology and Geo-Environment and is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Sustainable Soil Sciences (C3S), UM6P. His expertise spans soil science, remote sensing, GIS, spectroscopy (Vis-NIR/MIR), geochemistry, and clay mineralogy. He has conducted over 100 Environmental Impact Assessments during his time as Lead Manager at ADA-Consulting.

🔬 Research Focus & Innovations:

• 🧪 Soil salinity assessment using MIR spectroscopy and machine learning

• 🛰️ Geospatial modeling for sustainable land management

• 🔍 Spectral diagnostics of soil degradation in arid/semi-arid zones

• 📚 Published 6+ peer-reviewed articles (2 under review)

• 📊 Built the first Vis-NIR soil spectral library in the Triffa plain, Morocco

• 🛠️ Developed low-cost sensors now adopted by FAO programs

🌍 Contributions & Impact:

Dr. Lazaar’s research bridges lab science with field applications, promoting cost-effective soil health diagnostics and sustainable agricultural practices. His latest focus includes developing pedotransfer functions for salinity prediction and analyzing groundwater quality in the Mediterranean region using advanced GIS and statistical tools.

🌐 Professional Affiliations:

• IUSS (International Union of Soil Sciences)

• SSSA (Soil Science Society of America)

• EGU (European Geosciences Union)

• CESFRA, UM6P

• ASSS, MARS, and FAO Soil Spectroscopy Groups

Publication Top Notes:

1. The application of proximal visible and near-infrared spectroscopy to estimate soil organic matter on the Triffa Plain of Morocco
   Lazaar, A., Mouazen, A.M., El Hammouti, K., Fullen, M., Pradhan, B., Memon, M.S., et al.
   International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 8(2), 195–204. (2020). [Citations: 35]

2. Potential of VIS-NIR spectroscopy to characterize and discriminate topsoils of different soil types in the Triffa Plain (Morocco)
   Lazaar, A., Mahyou, H., Asagholizadeh, A., El Hammouti, K., et al.
   Soil Science Annual, 70(1), 54–63. (2019). [Citations: 14]

3. The manifestation of VIS-NIRS spectroscopy data to predict and map soil texture in the Triffa Plain (Morocco)
   Lazaar, A., Pradhan, B., Zakariae, N., Abdelali, G., El Hammouti, K., Karim, A., et al.
   Kuwait Journal of Science, 48(1), 111–121. (2021). [Citations: 9]

4. Physicochemical and mineralogical characterization of the Mediterranean soils of Triffa Plain (Northeast Morocco) by physicochemical analysis, X-ray diffraction and VIS spectroscopy
   Lazaar, A., El Hammouti, K., Andich, K., Hadria, R.
   ACM Conference Proceedings, (2020).

5. Apport de la télédétection hyperspectrale dans la cartographie et la caractérisation des sols du Maroc Oriental
   Lazaar, A.
   (French publication), 2017.