Ali serves as a Scientist in Coastal/Ocean Engineering at NOAA. His field of research includes but not limited to Coastal Hazards (Tsunamis, Hurricanes & Storm Surges), Tsunami Early Warning Systems (TEWS), Nearshore hydrodynamics (Coastal Morphodynamics & Wetland hydrodynamics), Climate Change and Sea Level Rise, Compressible Fluids (Hydro-acoustic Waves), Wave-Structure Interaction and Renewable Oceanic Wave Energy (Wave Energy Converter Devices, WECs). Currently, is the lead for WAVEWATCH III where he prepares the plans and strategies of future code developments. He is involved with the wave-surge coupling developments for the Consumer Option for an Alternative System to Allocate Losses (COASTAL) Act from which NOAA is assigned to produce detailed “post-storm assessments” in the aftermath of a damaging tropical cyclone that strikes the U.S. or its territories. To achieve an accurate assessment, he is involved in the development of a framework for wave-surge coupling on high resolution unstructured grids. He is also widely active in accuracy and uncertainty evaluation of atmospheric, wave and surge models in offshore waters using satellite observations and on inundation issues nearshore waters using point source observations.