CV

Rakiba Sultana

Education

Jan.2021–Aug.2025   Ph.D., Geosciences – University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Nov.2017–Jun.2019   M.S., Petroleum Geology – University of Dhaka
Jan.2013–Nov.2017   B.S., Geology – University of Dhaka

Employment

Oct.2025-Present    Quantitative Hydrogeologist - INTERA, Inc.
Jan.2021–Aug.2025   Research Assistant – Dept. of Geosciences, UW–Milwaukee  
Jan.2021–Jun.2025   Teaching Assistant – Dept. of Geosciences, UW–Milwaukee 
Aug.2024–Jan.2025   Graduate Research Intern – U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Madison

Research Interests

Hydrogeology • Groundwater Contamination • Vadose Zone Processes • Contaminant Transport • Flow and Transport Modeling

Peer-Reviewed Publications

(5) Sultana, R., Wallace, C.D., Tigar, A.D., Wahl, T.W., Hoss, K.H., Johnson, R.H., Paradis, C.J., 2025.Mechanisms for Contaminant Transport in the Vadose Zone During Infiltration Events. In prep for Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. (in prep)
(4) Hasan, A.B.M.R., Sultana, R., Paradis, C.J., Pillai, K.M., 2025. Experimental investigation of upward and downward cycling of salt contaminants in the vadose zone. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 104686. [DOI]https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2025.104686.
(3) Paradis, C.J., Sultana, R., Dangelmayr, M.A., Johnson, R.H., Kent, R.D., 2025. Breakthrough Curve Separation Using Applied Solute Tracers. Groundwater gwat.13480. [DOI]https://doi.org/10.1111/gwat.13480
(2) Sultana, R., Johnson, R.H., Tigar, A.D., Wahl, T.J., Meurer, C.E., Hoss, K.N., Xu, S., Paradis, C.J., 2024b. Contaminant mobilization from the vadose zone to groundwater during experimental river flooding events. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 265, 104391. [DOI]https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2024.104391 
(1) Sultana, R., Dangelmayr, M.A., Paradis, C.J., Johnson, R.H., 2024a. Combining fission-track radiography and scanning electron microscopy to identify uranium host phases. Environ Earth Sci 83, 56. [DOI]https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-023-11373-5

Selected Conference Proceedings

(4) Sultana, R., Johnson, R., Paradis, C., Fiene, M., 2024b. Workflow for Groundwater Flow from Saturated Zone to the Upper Vadose Zone to Explore River Flooding. AGU 2024 (Poster)
(3) Sultana, R., Johnson, R., Paradis, C., 2024a. Contaminant Transport from Contaminated Groundwater to The Upper Vadose Zone. GSA Connects 2024, https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2024AM-403929 (Poster) 
(2) Sultana, R., Owen, H., Paradis, C., Johnson, R., 2022. Microscale visualization and  elemental analysis of solid-phase uranium geochemistry on contaminated sediments using fission track technology. GSA Connects 2022, https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2022AM-379607 (Oral)
(1) Sultana, R., Hoss, K., Meurer, C., Hatami, J., Johnson, R., Tigar, A., Paradis, C., 2021. Surface infiltration of river water to groundwater to simulate periodic flooding events at a uranium-contaminated site. GSA Connects 2021, https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2021AM-366575  (Oral)

Technical Skills

- Programming & Analysis: Python (FloPy, PyEMU, NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib), Microsoft Excel  
- Modeling & Software: MODFLOW 6, PEST, PEST++, ArcGIS, PHREEQC, Surfer  
- Analytical Instruments: SEM-EDS, XRD, multiparameter probes, ion-selective electrodes  
- Field Methods: Tracer experiments, groundwater well monitoring, onsite water quality testing

Teaching & Mentorship

Teaching Assistant – 
UWM_course_catalog (2021–2025)  
- Physical Hydrogeology (GEO SCI 463G, Fall 2022)  
- Chemical Hydrogeology (GEO SCI 464G, Spring 2023 & 2024)  
- Introduction to Earth Science (GEO SCI 100, multiple terms)  

Mentorship – Guided two high school students (2021) and one undergraduate student (2023) on GIS mapping and uranium geochemistry interpretation.

Research Funding & Awards

- NSF INTERN Grant, Award no. 2229869 – U.S. Geological Survey ($37,980, 2024–25)  
- GSA John T. & Carol G. McGill Research Award, Grant no. 13597-22 – ($2,700, 2022–23)  
- UW–Milwaukee Research Excellence Award – ($1,400, 2025)

Professional Service

- Peer Reviewer (Elsevier, Physics and Chemistry of the Earth)  (2)
- Guest Lecture: Modeling Techniques for Hydrogeology (Graduate course, 2025)  (1)

Collaborating Institutions