Dr. Bernhard Siemon | Airborne Geophysics | Best Researcher Award

Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Germany.

Bernhard Siemon is a distinguished physicist and geophysicist, specializing in airborne geophysics. He earned his Diploma in Physics (1986) and Ph.D. (1991) from the University of Göttingen, Germany. After gaining experience in private consulting and governmental research institutes, he joined the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) in 2001, where he currently leads the airborne geophysics unit. His expertise includes electromagnetic data inversion and the application of airborne geophysical data in groundwater, mining, and near-surface exploration. He is an active member of DGG (German Geophysical Society) and EAGE (European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers).

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🎓 Education

Dr. Bernhard Siemon obtained his Diploma in Physics from the University of Göttingen, Germany, in 1986. He further advanced his academic journey by completing a Ph.D. in Physics at the same university in 1991. With a solid foundation in physics, Dr. Siemon has made significant contributions to research and development, applying his expertise in both theoretical and applied physics.

💼 Experience

Dr. Bernhard Siemon has been serving as the Head of the Airborne Geophysics Unit at the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) since 2001. In this role, he has played a key part in advancing geophysical exploration techniques and applications.

Prior to this, from 1991 to 2001, he worked as a Consultant and Researcher for private consulting firms and governmental research institutes, contributing his expertise in geophysics and applied physics to various projects in resource exploration and environmental studies.

🔬 Research Interests

Inversion of electromagnetic data for geophysical applications

Airborne geophysical surveying for groundwater, mining, and near-surface studies

Optimization of geophysical data acquisition for geological exploration

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Recognized expert in airborne geophysics with contributions to major geophysical studies

Active member of DGG and EAGE, contributing to scientific advancements in geophysics

📚 Selected Publications

Benefits of an Airborne Electromagnetic Survey of Former Opencast Lignite Mining Areas in Lusatia, Germany

Journal: Water (2025)

DOI: 10.3390/w17071000

Co-authors: Olaf Cortés Arroyo, Silvio Janetz, Erik Nixdorf

Focus: Utilization of airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys to assess environmental and groundwater conditions in former lignite mining areas.

Locating Skarns with Magnetic Survey Data, Geyer, Erzgebirge: Optimizing Data Acquisition Procedures

Journal: Geophysical Prospecting (2022)

DOI: 10.1111/1365-2478.13231

Co-authors: Hernan Ugalde, William Morris, Yuleika Madriz, Moritz Kirsch, Richard Gloaguen, Michael Schneider, Markus Schiffler, Tristan Fréville, Marc Munschy

Focus: Enhancing geophysical data acquisition methods for efficient skarn deposit detection.

Airborne Electromagnetic, Magnetic, and Radiometric Surveys at the German North Sea Coast Applied to Groundwater and Soil Investigations

Journal: Remote Sensing (2020)

DOI: 10.3390/rs12101629

Co-authors: Malte Ibs-von Seht, Annika Steuer, Nico Deus, Helga Wiederhold

Focus: Integrating multiple airborne geophysical techniques for coastal groundwater and soil studies.

Airborne Electromagnetic and Radiometric Peat Thickness Mapping of a Bog in Northwest Germany (Ahlen-Falkenberger Moor)

Journal: Remote Sensing (2020)

DOI: 10.3390/rs12020203

Co-authors: Malte Ibs-von Seht, Stefan Frank

Focus: Mapping peat thickness using AEM and radiometric surveys for ecological monitoring.

Airborne and Ground Geophysical Mapping of Coastal Clays in Eastern Friesland, Germany

Journal: GEOPHYSICS (2019)

DOI: 10.1190/geo2014-0102.1

Co-authors: Costabe S., Voß W., Meyer U., Deus N., Elbracht J., Günther T., Wiederhold H.

Focus: Geophysical techniques for identifying coastal clay deposits and subsurface structures.

Dr. Despoina Tounta | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.

Despoina D. Tounta is a Doctoral Candidate at the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. With a strong background in environmental science, disaster management, and public health, her research focuses on the interplay between climate change, pandemics, and zoonotic diseases. She has presented her work at international conferences and published in renowned scientific journals.

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🎓 Education

Despoina D. Tounta holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology and Geoenvironment from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, which she earned in 1991. Building on her expertise in environmental sciences, she pursued a Master’s Degree in Environmental, Disaster, and Crisis Management Strategies at the same institution, graduating in 2017. Currently, she is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, where her research focuses on the impact of climate change and pandemics from zoonotic diseases. Her doctoral thesis, titled “Climate Change and Pandemics from Zoonoses: Emerging Risks for Public Health and Strategies for Prevention in the Cyclades Island Complex,” explores the intersection of environmental changes and public health risks, with an emphasis on developing policies for disaster preparedness and mitigation.

💼 Experience

Despoina D. Tounta has actively contributed to environmental research and disaster management through training, conferences, and presentations. In 1993, she completed specialized training in Remote Sensing at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, focusing on natural environment protection. Her expertise in disaster resilience led her to present at SafeGreece 2017 (SafeAthens), where she discussed seismic risk prevention in public buildings. In 2021, she presented her research at the International CEST Conference, exploring the impact of weather conditions on COVID-19 spread. Continuing her work on environmental health, she spoke at the Climate Crisis Conference in 2022, analyzing the link between air pollution and COVID-19 mortality. Most recently, in 2023, she participated in COMECAP 2023, where she examined the association between solar irradiance, pollution, and COVID-19 cases in Athens, further reinforcing her role in climate and public health research.

🔬 Research Interests

🌍 Climate Change & Public Health – Investigating the link between environmental factors and zoonotic disease outbreaks.

🦠 Epidemics & Pandemics – Studying the spread of infectious diseases and their correlation with weather and pollution.

🏢 Seismic Risk Prevention – Assessing non-structural vulnerability in public buildings.

📡 Remote Sensing & Environmental Monitoring – Applying geospatial tools to analyze climate-related health risks.

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Speaker & Contributor at multiple international conferences on environmental hazards, pandemics, and disaster management.

Recognized Researcher for work on COVID-19, climate change, and public health strategies.

📚 Publications

Human Activities and Zoonotic Epidemics: A Two-Way Relationship – The Case of the COVID-19 Pandemic

📌 Authors: Tounta, D.D.; Nastos, P.T.; Tesseromatis, C.
📌 Journal: Global Sustainability (2022)
📌 Volume: 5, e19
📌 Citations: 3

Could Saliva Play a Role in Controlling the COVID-19 Pandemic?

📌 Authors: Papadopoulou, A.; Tounta, D.; Tesseromatis, C.
📌 Journal: Stomatologija