Dr Muhammad Naveed

Dr Muhammad Naveed

Associate Professor in Civil Engineering
School of Computing and Engineering

Dr Naveed is a civil engineer by practice with nearly 10 years’ experience working in the higher education and Industry.

Dr Naveed is Associate Professor in Civil Engineering in University of West London, an expert in Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Engineering, member of the Pakistan Engineering council, an associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the UK and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen.

Prior to joining the University of West London, he was working as Lecturer at University of the West of Scotland for one year and before that he was working as research fellow at University of Aberdeen for three years. He has worked on several research projects in the UK and Europe. The projects that he has been working on in recent years are: 

Rhizosphere by design: breading to select root traits that physically manipulate soil funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

StressSoil: funded by the Danish Council for Independent Research.

Soil Infrastructure, Interfaces, and Translocation Processes in Inner Space (Soil-it-is) granted by the Danish Research Council for Technology and Production Sciences 

He has (co)authored over 40 peer-reviewed journal papers and conference papers. He also worked as a geotechnical engineer on a number of infrastructure projects at the leading international consultant (NESPAK) for 3 years before moving to academia.

Dr Naveed has taught a number of undergraduate/postgraduate civil engineering modules mainly related to Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Engineering and Environmental soil physics in the UK and abroad. He is currently the module leader for the following modules at the University of West London: Soil Mechanics, Geology, Geotechnical Design and Advanced Geotechnical Engineering.

His research interests cover a wide range of topics in Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Engineering and Environmental Soil Physics in particular, including

  • Roads Deteriorate in the form of Discrete Craters (Potholes): How an Effective Design and Innovative Material could stop this.
  • Soil stabilization using plant based bio materials and agricultural waste
  • Stress transmission through soil and different layers of pavement
  • Permanent and temporary support to excavated slopes using soil nails
  • Bioengineering of slopes: How root length density, root branching, root strength and root exudates contributes to soil slope reinforcement.
  • Soil improvement using Microbial Induced Calcite (MIC)
  • Earth based infrastructure resistance against changing climate

If you are looking to pursue full time/part time PhD in one of the above research topics, please feel free to directly email Dr Muhammad Naveed.

  • Qualifications


    BSc (University of Engineering and Technology Lahore Pakistan)
    MSc (Saitama University Japan)
    PhD (Aarhus University Denmark)
    Pgcert (University of West London)

  • Memberships

    Member Pakistan Engineering Council (MPEC)
    Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
  • Research and publications

    Journal papers

    Oleghe, E., M. Naveed, E.M. Baggs, and P.D. Hallett. (2019). Residues with varying recalcitrance interact differently with seed or root exudate compounds to affect the biophysical behaviour of soil. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.02.023. (Journal impact factor: 4.336)

    Naveed, M., M. A. Ahmed, P. Benard, L. K. Brown, T. S. George, A. G. Bengough, T. Roose, N. Koebernick, P. D. Hallett. (2019). Surface tension, rheology and hydrophobicity of rhizodeposits and seed mucilage influence soil water retention and hysteresis. Plant and Soil, 437: 65-81. (Journal impact factor: 3.259)

    Koebernick, N., K.R. Daly, S. D. Keyes, A.G. Bengough, L.K. Brown, L.J. Cooper, T.S. George, P.D. Hallett, M. Naveed, A. Raffan, and T. Roose (2018). Imaging microstructure of the barley rhizosphere: particle packing and root hair influences. New Phytologist, https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.15516. (Journal impact factor: 7.229).

    Naveed, M., L.K. Brown, A.C. Raffan, T.S. George, A.G. Bengough, T. Roose, I. Sinclair, N. Koebernick, L. Cooper, and P.D. Hallett. (2018). Rhizosphere-scale quantification of hydraulic and mechanical properties of soil impacted by root and seed exudates. Vadose Zone Journal, 17 (1). (Journal impact factor: 3.634)

    Naveed, M., P. Schjønning, T. Keller, and M. Lamandé. (2018). Measurement of stress transmission through relatively homogenous to discrete soil. Géotechnique, in preparation.

    Naveed, M., L.K. Brown, A.C. Raffan, T.S. George, A.G. Bengough, T. Roose, I. Sinclair, N. Koebernick, L. Cooper, C.A. Hackett, and P.D. Hallett. (2017). Plant exudates may stabilize or weaken soil depending on species, origin and time. European Journal of Soil Science, 68 (6). pp. 806-816. (Journal impact factor: 2.818)

    Koebernick, N., K.R. Daly, S.D. Keyes, T.S. George, L.K. Brown, A.C. Raffan, L.J. Cooper, M. Naveed, A.G. Bengough, I. Sinclair, P.D. Hallett, and T. Roose. (2017). High-resolution synchrotron imaging shows that root hairs influence rhizosphere soil structure formation. New Phytologist, 216 (1). pp. 124-135. (Journal impact factor: 7.229)

    Cooper, L. J., K.R. Daly, P.D. Hallett, M. Naveed, N. Koebernick, A.G. Bengough, T.S. George, and T. Roose. (2017). Fluid flow in porous media using image-based modelling to parametrize Richards' equation. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Science, 473 (2207). (Journal impact factor: 2.818)

    Oleghe, E., M. Naveed, E.M. Baggs, and P.D. Hallett. (2017) Plant exudates improve the mechanical conditions for root penetration through compacted soils. Plant and Soil, 421 (1-2). pp. 19-30. (Journal impact factor: 3.259)

    Zhong, Xiao-lan, Li, Jiang-tao, Li, Xiao-jia, Ye, Yong-chang, Liu, Song-song, Hallett, P.D., Ogden, M.R. and Naveed, M. (2017). Physical protection by soil aggregates stabilizes soil organic carbon under simulated N deposition in a subtropical forest of China. Geoderma, 285. pp. 323-332. (Journal impact factor: 4.336)

    Naveed, M., P. Moldrup, M.G. Schaap, M. Tuller, R. Kulkarni, H-J. Vogel and L.W. de Jonge. (2016). Prediction of biopore -and matrix-dominated flow from X-ray CT-derived macropore network characteristics. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 20 (10). pp. 4017-4030. (Journal impact factor: 4.936)

    Naveed, M., L. Herath, P. Moldrup, E. Arthur, M. Nicolaisen, T. Norgaard, T.P.A. Ferré, and L.W. de Jonge. (2016). Spatial variability of microbial richness and diversity and relationships with soil organic carbon, texture and structure across an agricultural field. Applied Soil Ecology, 103. pp. 44-55. (Journal impact factor: 3.445)

    Naveed, M., P. Schjønning, T. Keller, L.W. de Jonge, P. Moldrup, and M. Lamandé. (2016). Quantifying vertical stress transmission and compaction-induced soil structure using sensor mat and X-ray computed tomography. Soil and Tillage Research, 158. pp. 110-122. (Journal impact factor: 4.675)

    Naveed, M., P. Moldrup, M. Schaap, M. Tuller, R. Kulkarni, H-J. Vögel, and L.W. de Jonge. (2015) Macropore flow at the field scale: predictive performance of empirical models and X-ray CT analyzed macropore characteristics. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions, 12 (11). pp. 12089-12120.

    Paradelo, M., P. Moldrup, E. Arthur, M. Naveed, M. Holmstrup, J.E. López-Periago, and L.W. de Jonge. (2014). Effects of past copper contamination and soil structure on copper leaching from soil. Journal of Environment Quality, 42 (6). p. 1852. (Journal impact factor: 2.579)

    Naveed, M., E. Arthur, L.W. de Jonge, M. Tuller and P. Moldrup. (2014). Pore structure of natural and regenerated soil aggregates: an x-ray computed tomography analysis. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 78 (2). p. 377. (Journal impact factor: 1.997)

    Naveed, M., P. Moldrup, E. Arthur, M. Holmstrup, M. Nicolaisen, M. Tuller, L. Herath, S. Hamamoto, K. Kawamoto, T. Komatsu, H-J. Vogel, and L.W. de Jonge. (2014). Simultaneous loss of soil biodiversity and functions along a copper contamination gradient: when soil goes to sleep. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 78 (4). p. 1239. (Journal impact factor: 1.997)

    Khademalrasoul, A., M. Naveed, G. Heckrath, K.G.I.D. Kumari, L.W. de Jonge, L. Elsgaard, H-J. Vogel, and B.V. Iversen. (2014). Biochar effects on soil aggregate properties under no-till maize. Soil Science, 179 (6). pp. 273-283. (Journal impact factor: 1.77)

    Naveed, M., S. Hamamoto, K. Kawamoto, T. Sakaki, M. Takahashi, T. Komatsu, P. Moldrup, M. Lamandé, D. Wildenschild, M. Prodanović, and L.W. de Jonge. (2013). Correlating gas transport parameters and x-ray computed tomography measurements in porous media. Soil Science, 178 (2). pp. 60-68. (Journal impact factor: 1.77)

    Naveed, M., P. Moldrup, E. Arthur, D. Wildenschild, M. Eden, M. Lamandé, H-V. Vogel, and L.W. de Jonge. (2013). Revealing soil structure and functional macroporosity along a clay gradient using x-ray computed tomography. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 77 (2). p. 403. (Journal impact factor: 1.997)

    Naveed, M., P. Moldrup, H-J Vogel, M. Lamandé, D. Wildenschild, M. Tuller, and L.W. de Jonge. (2013). Impact of long-term fertilization practice on soil structure evolution. Geoderma, 217-21. pp. 181-189. (Journal impact factor: 4.336)

    Naveed, M., S. Hamamoto, K. Kawamoto, T. Sakaki, M. Takahashi, T. Komatsu, L.W. de Jonge, M. Lamandé, P. Moldrup. (2012). Gas dispersion in granular porous media under air-dry and wet conditions. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 76 (3). p. 845. (Journal impact factor: 1.997)

    Naveed, M., P. Moldrup, M. Tuller, T.P.A. Ferrè, K. Kawamoto, T. Komatsu, and L.W. de Jonge. (2012). Prediction of the soil water characteristic from soil particle volume fractions. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 76 (6). p. 1946. (Journal impact factor: 1.997)

  • Conferences

    2018/4. EGU General Assembly, 2018, Root induced compaction alleviation by root hairs -visualization with synchrotron imaging.

    2017/4, EGU General Assembly 2017, Physical engineering of rhizosphere by plant exudates varies with species, origin and microbial decomposition.

    2016/4, EGU General Assembly 2016, Nature's amazing biopolymer: basic mechanical and hydrological properties of soil affected by plant exudates

    2016/4, EGU General Assembly 2016, Soil compaction: Evaluation of stress transmission and resulting soil structure.

    2015/4, EGU General Assembly 2015, Quantification of Transmission of Vertical stress and Soil Structure under Partially Confined Uniaxial Compression using X-ray CT.

    2015, Polar conference, Best practice for upscaling soil carbon in South Greenland.

    2015, Polar conference, Microbiology of some Greenland soil.

    2014, ASA, CSSA, & SSSA International Annual Meeting, Influence of Soil Physical Gradients in Spatial Distribution of Bacterial Communities; A Field Scale Study about Soil Inner Space Biology.

    2014, The future of Biochar, Investigation of Biochar effects on Aggregate Stability As an Index of Soil Erosion.

    2013, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, International Annual Meetings, Prediction Of The Soil Water Characteristic From Saturation To Hyper-Dry Region Based On Volumetric Particle Size Fractions.

    2013, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Soil Structure From a Soil-Air Physics Point of View: Gas Transport Parameters As Architectural and Functional Fingerprints.

    2012, ASA, CSSA, or SSSA international annual meeting, Predicting Soil-Water Characteristics from Volumetric Contents of Pore-Size Analogue Particle Fractions.

    2012, ASA, CSSA, or SSSA international annual meeting, X-ray CT Scanning Reveals Long-Term Copper Pollution Effects on Functional Soil Structure

    2010/12, AGU Fall Meeting, Gas Dispersion Coefficients in Variably Saturated and Differently Textured Porous Media.

  • Research degree supervision

    Principal Supervisor

    Roads Deteriorate in the form of Discrete Craters (Potholes): How an Effective Design and Innovative Material could stop this.
    (Mr Kanishka Sauis Turrakheil)