Tommaso Moramarco | Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Tommaso Moramarco | Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Direttore at Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection CNR, Italy

Dr. Tommaso Moramarco is a highly esteemed researcher in the field of hydrology and hydraulic engineering, with over three decades of experience. Currently serving as the President of the CNR Research Area of Turin, he has significantly contributed to hydrological research, particularly in flood forecasting, hydraulic risk mitigation, and climate change adaptation. With over 350 scientific publications, including 182 articles in high-impact ISI journals, he has achieved a remarkable h-index of 51 on Google Scholar. Dr. Moramarco has successfully secured more than €23 million in research funding, establishing and leading the Hydrology Group at the Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection (IRPI). His research is recognized internationally, evidenced by his roles as a visiting scientist at leading institutions like MIT and Louisiana State University and his leadership positions in global hydrological organizations.

Professional Profile

Education

Dr. Moramarco earned his M.Sc. in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Hydraulic and Territorial Defense from the University of Bari in 1989, graduating with top honors (110/110). He pursued advanced training and scholarships in hydrology and hydraulic risk assessment at institutions like the University of Basilicata and the National Research Council (CNR). His educational background laid a strong foundation for his expertise in hydrology, environmental impact assessments, and hydraulic engineering.

Professional Experience

Dr. Moramarco’s professional journey spans diverse roles at the CNR. He has served as the Director of the Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection (2010–2019), Director of Research (2019–2021), and is currently the Scientific Responsible for the Tech4You PNRR project. His leadership includes coordinating flood forecasting initiatives and advising Italian authorities on hydraulic risk management. He also represents CNR in Umbria’s regional institutional relationships and has mentored numerous Ph.D. and M.Sc. candidates.

Research Interests

Dr. Moramarco’s research encompasses hydrological processes, flood forecasting, hydraulic risk mitigation, and climate change adaptation. His work focuses on hydro-meteorological monitoring (ground-based and satellite), rainfall spatial analysis, entropy theory applications, watershed surface water modeling, and the use of artificial intelligence in hydrology. He has advanced flood and landslide prediction models, improved hydraulic risk assessments, and developed methodologies for dam safety and drought analysis.

Research Skills

Dr. Moramarco excels in hydro-meteorological monitoring, flood forecasting, hydraulic modeling, and the application of artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms to hydrology. His expertise spans satellite data analysis, rainfall spatial distribution modeling, and the assessment of hydraulic risks. He is adept at managing multidisciplinary teams and securing substantial research funding, demonstrating exceptional project leadership and coordination skills.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Moramarco’s accolades include the Presidency of the Italian Hydrological Society (2017–2022), Best Associate Editor for the Journal of Hydrologic Engineering (2019), and several best paper and poster awards from prestigious scientific forums. His contributions have earned him recognition as an outstanding reviewer and member of national and international hydrological committees. Notably, his work on satellite soil moisture data was highlighted by Nature as a research highlight.

Conclusion

Tommaso Moramarco’s extensive expertise in hydrology, leadership in research innovation, and outstanding publication record make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His contributions have significantly advanced flood forecasting, hydraulic risk mitigation, and climate adaptation, with substantial global impact. By focusing on interdisciplinary collaboration, public engagement, and emerging technologies, his already impressive career could achieve even greater heights.

Publication Top Notes

  • “Soil moisture estimation through ASCAT and AMSR-E sensors: An intercomparison and validation study across Europe”
    • Authors: L. Brocca, S. Hasenauer, T. Lacava, F. Melone, T. Moramarco, W. Wagner, …
    • Journal: Remote Sensing of Environment
    • Year: 2011
    • Citations: 665
  • “Soil moisture spatial variability in experimental areas of central Italy”
    • Authors: L. Brocca, R. Morbidelli, F. Melone, T. Moramarco
    • Journal: Journal of Hydrology
    • Year: 2007
    • Citations: 517
  • “Spatial‐temporal variability of soil moisture and its estimation across scales”
    • Authors: L. Brocca, F. Melone, T. Moramarco, R. Morbidelli
    • Journal: Water Resources Research
    • Year: 2010
    • Citations: 483
  • “Improving runoff prediction through the assimilation of the ASCAT soil moisture product”
    • Authors: L. Brocca, F. Melone, T. Moramarco, W. Wagner, V. Naeimi, Z. Bartalis, …
    • Journal: Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
    • Year: 2010
    • Citations: 463
  • “Soil as a natural rain gauge: Estimating global rainfall from satellite soil moisture data”
    • Authors: L. Brocca, L. Ciabatta, C. Massari, T. Moramarco, S. Hahn, S. Hasenauer, …
    • Journal: Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
    • Year: 2014
    • Citations: 403
  • “Soil moisture temporal stability over experimental areas in Central Italy”
    • Authors: L. Brocca, F. Melone, T. Moramarco, R. Morbidelli
    • Journal: Geoderma
    • Year: 2009
    • Citations: 330
  • “On the estimation of antecedent wetness conditions in rainfall–runoff modelling”
    • Authors: L. Brocca, F. Melone, T. Moramarco
    • Journal: Hydrological Processes: An International Journal
    • Year: 2008
    • Citations: 324
  • “Catchment scale soil moisture spatial–temporal variability”
    • Authors: L. Brocca, T. Tullo, F. Melone, T. Moramarco, R. Morbidelli
    • Journal: Journal of Hydrology
    • Year: 2012
    • Citations: 313
  • “Assimilation of surface-and root-zone ASCAT soil moisture products into rainfall–runoff modeling”
    • Authors: L. Brocca, T. Moramarco, F. Melone, W. Wagner, S. Hasenauer, S. Hahn
    • Journal: IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing
    • Year: 2011
    • Citations: 313
  • “A new method for rainfall estimation through soil moisture observations”
    • Authors: L. Brocca, T. Moramarco, F. Melone, W. Wagner
    • Journal: Geophysical Research Letters
    • Year: 2013
    • Citations: 248

 

 

Isilda Cunha Menezes | Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Isilda Cunha Menezes | Planetary Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Doctoral Researcher Level 1 at University of Aveiro, Portugal.

Dr. Isilda Augusta Luís Pereira Cunha Menezes is an accomplished researcher specializing in forestry, fire behavior, and climate change. Her extensive research includes significant contributions to wildfire management, atmospheric interactions with fires, and climate modeling. Dr. Menezes holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences with a focus on forest fire management from the University of Évora, Portugal, and has conducted postdoctoral research at institutions such as the University of Aveiro. Her work has been supported by numerous grants, including Horizon 2020 and various national research funds. With a solid background in environmental science, she has led and participated in numerous projects addressing climate extremes, fire behavior, and sustainable management practices. Despite her strong record, expanding her publication reach and enhancing interdisciplinary collaborations could further elevate her impact in the field. Dr. Menezes’s dedication and expertise make her a notable figure in environmental research.

Profile

Education

Dr. Isilda Augusta Luís Pereira Cunha Menezes has a distinguished educational background in environmental and forestry sciences. She completed her Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences, specializing in Forestry Sciences, at the University of Évora in 2016. Her doctoral thesis focused on developing a model for atmospheric-fire interactions applicable to forest management and fire risk assessment in Alentejo. Prior to her Ph.D., Dr. Menezes earned a Master’s degree in Atmospheric Climate and Environment from the University of Évora in 2005, where her thesis examined meteorological extremes in mainland Portugal. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geophysical Sciences with a specialization in Meteorology from the University of Lisbon, completed in 2002, where she investigated climate variability in the Euro-Atlantic sector. Additionally, she has completed various specialized courses in geographic information systems, software applications, and climate modeling throughout her career.

Professional Experience

Dr. Isilda Augusta Luís Pereira Cunha Menezes has accumulated extensive professional experience across various institutions. She currently serves as an Investigador Contratado at Universidade de Aveiro’s Departamento de Ambiente e Ordenamento, Portugal, since December 2021. Prior to this, Dr. Menezes was a Pós-doutorado researcher at the same university’s Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar from October 2019 to September 2021. She also held positions as an Investigador at Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro and Universidade de Évora, where she focused on agro-environmental technologies and forest fire dynamics. Her earlier roles include research at Universidade de Lisboa and teaching positions at Universidade de Évora. Dr. Menezes has been involved in numerous research projects related to wildfire management, climate modeling, and environmental risk assessment, reflecting her expertise and significant contributions to her field.

Research Interest

Dr. Isilda Cunha Menezes focuses her research on environmental sciences, particularly in the domains of forestry, wildfire behavior, and climate change. Her primary interests lie in understanding the interactions between the atmosphere and fire dynamics, which are crucial for effective forest management and wildfire risk assessment. Dr. Menezes has contributed significantly to the development of models that simulate fire propagation and atmospheric interactions, aiming to enhance wildfire management strategies and improve risk evaluation. Her research also encompasses the impact of climate extremes on forest ecosystems, with a strong emphasis on integrating these findings into practical solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation. Additionally, Dr. Menezes is involved in interdisciplinary projects that address broader environmental challenges, reflecting her commitment to advancing knowledge and promoting sustainable environmental practices.

Research Skills

Dr. Isilda Cunha Menezes exhibits exceptional research skills in the field of environmental science, particularly focusing on forestry, fire behavior, and climate change. Her expertise includes advanced modeling techniques for wildfire management and atmospheric interactions, underscoring her proficiency in complex scientific analysis and simulation. Dr. Menezes has demonstrated a strong capability in managing and executing large-scale research projects, as evidenced by her successful involvement in several high-profile research grants and international collaborations. Her technical skills encompass a broad range of tools and methodologies, including GIS software, climate modeling systems, and spatial analysis. Additionally, her experience with interdisciplinary projects highlights her ability to integrate diverse scientific approaches and contribute to impactful environmental solutions. Dr. Menezes’s commitment to advancing knowledge in her field is reflected in her robust research portfolio and her role as a leader in significant environmental studies.

Award and Recognition

Dr. Isilda Augusta Luís Pereira Cunha Menezes has earned notable recognition in her field through her extensive research and impactful contributions. Her pioneering work on wildfire behavior and climate interactions has been acknowledged through multiple prestigious research grants and fellowships, including those from the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 and Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. Dr. Menezes has also been a key contributor to significant international research projects such as FirEUrisk and UNaLab AIM. Her research achievements are further highlighted by her involvement in high-profile projects and her role as an investigator in various national and international initiatives. Her commitment to advancing knowledge in environmental science and her leadership in wildfire management have established her as a leading figure in her field, deserving of recognition for her exceptional contributions and dedication to advancing scientific understanding and practical solutions.

Conclusion

Dr. Menezes is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her extensive research experience and significant contributions to environmental science. Addressing the areas for improvement could further bolster her candidacy and impact in the field.

Publication Top Notes

  1. Smoke emissions from the extreme wildfire events in central Portugal in October 2017
    • Authors: Fernandes, A.P., Lopes, D., Sorte, S., Viegas, D.X., Miranda, A.I.
    • Journal: International Journal of Wildland Fire
    • Year: 2022
    • Citations: 8
  2. Application of the coupled BRAMS-SFIRE atmospheric and fire interactions models to the south of Portugal | Aplicação dos modelos de interação atmosférica e de incêndio florestal BRAMS-SFIRE no sul de Portugal
    • Authors: Menezes, I.D.C., Freitas, S.R., Lima, R.S., Surový, P., Ribeiro, N.A.
    • Journal: Revista Brasileira de Meteorologia
    • Year: 2021
    • Volume: 36
    • Issue: 3
    • Pages: 423–440
    • Citations: 3
  3. Impacts of nature-based solutions on the urban atmospheric environment: a case study for Eindhoven, The Netherlands
    • Authors: Ascenso, A., Augusto, B., Silveira, C., Roebeling, P., Miranda, A.I.
    • Journal: Urban Forestry and Urban Greening
    • Year: 2021
    • Volume: 57
    • Article ID: 126870
    • Citations: 23
  4. Drought in Portugal: Current regime, comparison of indices and impacts on extreme wildfires
    • Authors: Parente, J., Amraoui, M., Menezes, I., Pereira, M.G.
    • Journal: Science of the Total Environment
    • Year: 2019
    • Volume: 685
    • Pages: 150–173
    • Citations: 60
  5. The Brazilian developments on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (BRAMS 5.2): An integrated environmental model tuned for tropical areas
    • Authors: Freitas, S.R., Panetta, J., Longo, K.M., Oliveira, V., Martins, L.D.
    • Journal: Geoscientific Model Development
    • Year: 2017
    • Volume: 10
    • Issue: 1
    • Pages: 189–222
    • Citations: 51