About

Mahdi Zoorabadi, PhD, brings has a broad range of expertise in consultancy and research across diverse areas of rock engineering. His career spans major infrastructure projects in Australia and internationally, including dams, hydropower developments, tunnels, underground structures and mining. He has led critical technical activities such as in-situ rock testing, rock stress measurement, rock mass characterisation, and advanced numerical modelling of underground caverns, pressure tunnels, shafts, and dam foundations. His experience encompasses all project phases—from conceptual studies and feasibility assessments to detailed design, peer review, and proof engineering—supporting the delivery of complex, large-scale infrastructure. In addition to his project work, Mahdi maintains an active research profile through his role as Adjunct Associate Professor at UNSW Sydney, fostering academic-industry collaboration. Mahdi currently serves as Deputy Chair of the ATS-Vic Committee, contributing to the advancement of the Australasian tunnelling community. He also collaborates with ANCOLD (Australian National Committee on Large Dams), delivering specialized short courses on rock engineering aspects of dam foundation design and analysis.