Dr. Gangadhara Narala Reddy
Email: gangadhar.reddy43@gmail.com
Education:
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Doctor of Philosophy in Geotechnical Engineering (March 2020), IIT Bhubaneswar, India.
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Master of Technology in Geotechnical Engineering (2014). NIT Bhopal, India.
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Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering (2012), BIET/JNTU Hyderabad, India.
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Diploma in Civil Engineering (2009), Loyola Polytechnic (YSRR), Pulivendula, A.P., India
Professional Experience:
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Head of Department (Civil Engineering), Fiji National University (FNU), Suva, Fiji Island (February 2025 to till date)
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Assistant Professor, Fiji National University (FNU), Suva, Fiji Island (April 2024 to till date)
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Assistant Professor, Kakatiya Institute of Technology & Science (KITS), Warangal, India (Aug 2020 to April 2024)
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Postdoctoral Research Associate, Shantou University, China (Sept 2019 to Aug 2020)
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Visiting Research Fellow, Nanjing University, China (Dec 2019 to Feb 2020)
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Geotechnical Engineer, Noble Geo-Structs, Mumbai, India (July 2014 to Dec 2014)
Short Bio and Research Directions:
Dr. Narala Gangadhara Reddy is a Geotechnical Engineer, Climate Resilience Specialist, and Academic Leader with extensive international experience across the South Pacific, India, China, and global research networks. He currently serves as Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at Fiji National University (FNU), where he leads teaching, research, and industry engagement in sustainable and resilient infrastructure development.
His expertise lies at the intersection of geotechnical engineering, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction (DRR), geoenvironmental engineering, and climate-resilient infrastructure. His work is particularly focused on addressing the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including coastal erosion, flooding, saltwater intrusion, landslides, and infrastructure vulnerability under changing climatic conditions.
Dr. Reddy has established strong collaborations with government agencies, international organizations, industry partners, and local communities throughout the South Pacific region. His research and consultancy activities support evidence-based decision-making, climate adaptation planning, and the development of practical engineering solutions that enhance resilience, sustainability, and community well-being.
South Pacific Research and Development Impact
A significant component of my work focuses on enhancing climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure across the South Pacific region. Working closely with government ministries, regional organizations, local authorities, and communities, I contribute to addressing some of the region's most pressing environmental and infrastructure challenges.
In Fiji, I have collaborated with various NGOs and Ministries to support community-based adaptation initiatives to mitigate climate risks, particularly saltwater intrusion, coastal erosion, flooding, and infrastructure degradation.
My research directly supports national and regional priorities, including Fiji's National Adaptation Plan (NAP), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP), and broader Pacific resilience and sustainability agendas. Through interdisciplinary research, stakeholder engagement, and applied engineering solutions, I strive to strengthen the resilience of communities and infrastructure systems across the South Pacific region.
CORE EXPERTISE & CONSULTING CAPABILITIES
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Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Engineering: Slope stability, landfill liner design, foundation investigations, and problematic soil stabilisation.
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Climate Change Adaptation & DRR: Climate-induced relocation, planned retreat strategies, and community-based adaptation.
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Resilient Infrastructure Systems: Risk assessment and hardening of water supply, highway, and industrial infrastructure.
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Coastal & Riverbank Protection: Erosion hotspot mapping, shoreline protection design, and nature-based stabilisation solutions.
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Sustainable Construction Materials: Geopolymer concrete, utilising industrial by-products (rice husk ash, GGBS, bagasse ash), and biopolymers.
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GIS-Based Hazard Assessment: Spatial modelling for landslide mapping, coastal erosion, and infrastructure risk profiling.
Available for consultancy assignments, technical advisory services, climate resilience projects, infrastructure risk assessments, research collaboration, and capacity-building initiatives within the Pacific region and internationally.
Research/Professional webpages:
LinkedIn
