Alexei KOURAEV is a scientist at the Laboratory for Satellite Geophysics and Oceanograpy, Toulouse and assistant professor at the Toulouse University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France. He is studying recent changes in continental hydrology (enclosed seas, rivers, lakes, glaciers) and their relations to climate change and anthropogenic influence. These studies are done by combining satellite remote sensing, in situ observations and numerical modelling. Regions of study include Western Siberia, Caspian and Aral seas, Baikal, Ladoga and Onega lakes, and watershed of Tigris and Euphrates.

A. Kouraev's diploma in oceanography (1992) and Ph.D. in geography (1998) are both from the Moscow State Lomonosov University.

His current interests are coastal research and management, satellite oceanography and hydrology, management of water resources, modelling of water dynamics and transport of pollutants, and Marine Geographic Information Systems.