Dr. Vera Sidorenko | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vera Sidorenko, Alfred Wegener Institute, Germany

Dr. Vera Sidorenko is a Senior Scientist at the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, specializing in coastal ecology, climate dynamics, and ocean modeling. She has a Ph.D. in Coastal Ecology/Climate Dynamics from Jacobs University, where she focused on the simulation of Laptev Sea shelf dynamics, particularly the Lena Delta region. Her research interests include numerical methods in ocean modeling, coastal ocean dynamics, regional climate projections, and the interactions between abiotic and biotic factors in marine ecosystems. Dr. Sidorenko has a strong background in applied mathematics and informatics, with expertise in programming languages such as FORTRAN, C++, Python, and MATLAB. She has been involved in numerous research projects and field expeditions, including the Polarstern Cruise (PS132) and the RV “Dalne Zelentzy” expedition in the Laptev Sea. She has also received several prestigious fellowships, including the Helmholtz Advance postdoctoral fellowship. Dr. Sidorenko actively mentors Ph.D. students and contributes to various professional activities, including serving as an editor for the Polarforschung journal and reviewing articles for multiple scientific journals. Her current research focuses on improving numerical modules for the Lena Delta region and assessing the effectiveness of marine protected areas through interdisciplinary approaches.

Professional Profile 🎓

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Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award 🌍

Dr. Vera Sidorenko appears to be an exceptionally qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award based on her extensive academic background, research contributions, and leadership in marine science and numerical ocean modeling. Here is a summary of her qualifications and suitability:

Education 📚

Ph.D. in Coastal Ecology/Climate Dynamics, Jacobs University (2011-2014)
Title: ‘Simulation of the Laptev Sea shelf dynamics with focus on the Lena Delta region’
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Karen Helen Wiltshire, Prof. Dr. Sergey Danilov
M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics and Informatics (with honors), Institute of Mathematics, Mechanics, and Computer Science in the name of I.I. Vorovich (2009-2011)
B.Sc. in Applied Mathematics and Informatics (with honors), Institute of Mathematics, Mechanics, and Computer Science in the name of I.I. Vorovich (2005-2009)
High School Diploma (with honors), Economic-mathematical lyceum (2002-2005)
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Helmholtz Advance, Helmholtz-Mentoring-Program ‘A year for your career’ (2020-2021)

Work Experience 💼

Senior Scientist, Coastal Ecology/Climate Dynamics, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (2023–present)
Scientist, Coastal Ecology/Climate Dynamics, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (2015–2023)
PhD Researcher, Coastal Ecology/Climate Dynamics, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (2011–2014)

Awards and Recognition 🏅

AI Exploration Voucher: “Be a Sound”
Awarded in 2022 for contributions to innovative applications of sound in scientific research.
HIDA Host (Israel & UK Exchange Projects)
Recognized for hosting and participating in international research exchanges in 2023, focusing on sound-based scientific exploration.
Fellowship for Scientific Exchange (POLMAR)
Awarded in 2013 for a scientific exchange fellowship, promoting collaborative research in marine sciences.
Travelling Fellowships (FAMOS School)
Granted in 2013 and 2015 for participation in the FAMOS School, enhancing international collaboration in ocean modeling.
Travelling Fellowship to ART-APECS Science Workshop (APECS)
Awarded in 2012 to attend the APECS workshop for advancing polar research and fostering scientific community engagement.

Research Skills 🔬

Numerical Ocean Modeling:
Expertise in developing and applying numerical methods for simulating coastal and ocean dynamics, with a focus on the FESOM-C coastal ocean model and its integration into large-scale ocean circulation models.
Climate Projections and Regional Modeling:
Skilled in producing and analyzing regional climate projections, using advanced oceanographic models to assess climate impacts on coastal ecosystems.
Marine Ecosystem Dynamics:
Strong background in studying the interactions between abiotic and biotic factors within marine ecosystems, particularly in the context of climate change and anthropogenic pressures.
Use of Tracers in Oceanography:
Extensive experience working with passive and active tracers in ocean modeling to understand water mass transport, pollutant distribution, and ecosystem health.
High-Performance Computing (HPC):
Advanced proficiency in leveraging supercomputing platforms such as OLLIE/AWI, JUWELS/JSC, and LEVANTE/DKRZ for large-scale ocean model simulations.

Publication Top Notes 📖

Analyses of sea surface chlorophyll a trends and variability from 1998 to 2020 in the German Bight (North Sea)

Flipbook-ENA: Towards a dynamic Ecological Network Analysis under changing environmental conditions

Climate change impacts on a sedimentary coast—a regional synthesis from genes to ecosystems

Dynamical reconstruction of the upper-ocean state in the central Arctic during the winter period of the MOSAiC expedition

Dissolved storage glycans shaped the community composition of abundant bacterioplankton clades during a North Sea spring phytoplankton bloom

Mrs. Lea Rosenberger | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Lea Rosenberger, Technical University of Munich, Germany

Lea Sophie Rosenberger, in Munich, Germany, is a doctoral researcher specializing in environmental engineering with a focus on climate adaptation, water balance modeling, and data analysis. She is currently pursuing her research at the Chair of Urban Water Management at the Technical University of Munich. Lea’s work emphasizes integrating water-sensitive urban planning into early planning phases and modeling urban vegetation water demand under future climate conditions. With expertise in interdisciplinary collaboration, she bridges urban planning, landscape architecture, and the real estate industry. Lea holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the Technical University of Munich, with a specialization in water resources management and a thesis on sustainable stormwater management in densifying urban neighborhoods. Beyond her academic achievements, she has gained professional experience in groundwater protection, contaminated site remediation, and flood protection. Fluent in German and English, she is proficient in tools like RStudio, ArcGIS Pro, and EPA SWMM. Lea is also passionate about volunteering, traveling, and outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking.

Professional Profile 🎓

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Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award 🌍

Mrs. Lea Sophie Rosenberger is an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award based on her academic achievements, professional contributions, and impactful research in environmental engineering. Below is an analysis of her suitability:

Education 📚

10/2016 – 02/2020
M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Munich

Specializations: Water Resources Management / Hydrology, Water-Food-Energy Nexus
Master’s Thesis: “Sustainable stormwater management under the impact of climate change: case study in a densifying neighborhood of Munich”

01/2018 – 06/2018
M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering, NTNU Trondheim, Norway

Exchange semester

10/2012 – 06/2016
B.Sc. in Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Munich

Bachelor’s Thesis: “25 years of agro-ecological research at the research platform Scheyern – A comprehensive literature review emphasizing hydrology, soil, and the nitrogen cycle”

Work Experience 💼

Since 02/2021
Doctoral Researcher, Chair of Urban Water Management, Technical University of Munich

Research project: Accompanying research for “Climate-Adapted Construction – Model Projects”
Published the brochure “Affordable Climate-Adapted Building”

08/2020 – 02/2021
Environmental Engineer, Groundwater Protection and Contaminated Site Remediation, Munich Water Authority

Drafted water management assessments for contaminated site remediation, groundwater protection, and stormwater infiltration on contaminated sites

03/2019 – 07/2020
Working Student and Employee, Project Management and Customer Service, European Space Imaging GmbH, Munich

Managed customer requests for high-resolution satellite images and Earth observation services in Europe and North Africa

10/2017 – 12/2017
Intern, Flood Protection and Wastewater Treatment Plant Design, Arcadis Germany GmbH, Karlsruhe

Developed flood evacuation concepts and assisted in preparing proposals for wastewater treatment plant projects

02/2017 – 01/2018
Student Assistant, Chair of Hydrology and River Basin Management, Technical University of Munich

Developed an online course (MOOC) on flood risk management

Awards and Recognition 🏅

Best Poster Award – Aqua Urbanica 2023, for “Quantitative Water Balance Modeling for Climate-Adapted Urban Neighborhoods”
Recipient of the Munich Environmental Engineering Excellence Scholarship (2018)
Outstanding Contribution to Research Dissemination Award by the Technical University of Munich (2023)

Research Skills 🔬

Scientific Writing: Experienced in authoring peer-reviewed articles and technical reports
Data Analysis: Advanced skills in analyzing large datasets using R, Python, and MATLAB
Quantitative Modeling: Proficient in water balance modeling using EPA SWMM and PCSWMM
Spatial Analysis: Expertise in using ArcGIS Pro for mapping and spatial data analysis
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Skilled in integrating urban planning, hydrology, and environmental engineering principles