Research Interest

In our research, we aim to improve the conceptual and quantitative understanding of surface water-groundwater interactions in diverse environments. We base the characterization of hydrogeological and ecohydrological processes on two fundamental pillars: (a) on diverse observations of hydrological and biogeochemical fluxes and processes, and (b) on integrated surface-subsurface hydrological models (ISSHM). On the one hand, integrating observations that represent different spatial and temporal scales is necessary to characterize the highly dynamic and complex behavior of hydrological and biogeochemical processes in the subsurface, on the surface, in the atmosphere and in the biosphere. On the other hand, numerical models able to simulate all relevant fluxes and processes throughout both the surface and the subsurface in a physically based manner are necessary to quantify and predict the current and future behavior of hydrogeological systems. To take full advantage of both domains in the advancement of our understanding of hydrological and biogeochemical processes in surface water-groundwater systems, we integrate both components via state-of-the-art model calibration and data assimilation algorithms.

We currently focus our efforts on developing and employing novel hydrological tracer techniques and on advancing the simulation of surface water-groundwater systems with ISSHM by calibration against tracer data. Tracer techniques that we currently develop and employ include dissolved atmospheric noble gases, microbial information based on environmental DNA or flow cytometry, and naturally present radioactive tracers such as ²²²Rn, ^37/39Ar, ^81/85Kr, ¹⁴C, ^3/4He, or ³H. We are particularly interested in using techniques that allow near real-time measurements of tracers online and directly in the field.

Special attention, however, is dedicated to investigations of the complex and dynamic surface water-groundwater interactions that occur along the gravelly alluvial rivers that are used for drinking water production via bank filtration, which in Switzerland account for around 30% of the total drinking water production, and in Europe for more than 50%.

Academic Appointments and Employment

Since 2022        Assistant Professor & Group Leader, Hydrogeology, University of Basel, CH

Since 2022        Group Leader, Tracer Hydrogeology, Eawag, CH

2020 – 2022      Research Fellow, CHYN, Université de Neuchâtel (UniNe), CH

2019 – 2020       Research Fellow, NCGRT, Flinders University, AUS

2017 – 2019        SNFS Early Postdoc.Mobility Fellow, Université Laval, CAN

2017                    Postdoctoral Researcher, CHYN, UniNe, CH

2013 – 2017        PhD Student, CHYN, UniNe, CH

2012                   Hydrogeologist, NTEC Environmental Technology, AUS

2011 – 2012        Research Assistant, WA Geothermal Centre of Excellence, CSIRO, AUS

2010 – 2011        Research Assistant, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, CH

2010                   Internship, Ecohydrology, South Florida Water Management District, USA

2010                   Internship, Hydrology, Umwelt und Energie Luzern, CH

Education

2023.                 CAS in Leadership in Science, FHNW, CH

2021 - 2022       CAS in Advanced Machine Learning, University of Bern, CH (paused)

2019 – 2020       Flinders Foundations in Higher Education Teaching, Flinders University, AUS

2013 – 2017        PhD in Hydrogeology, CHYN, UniNe, CH

2015 – 2016        CAS in Applied Statistics, ETH Zürich, CH

2005 – 2011        BSc & MSc in Environmental Sciences, ETH Zürich, CH

Faculty roles

Since 2025         Co-Chair, PhD Programm in Environmental Science, University of Basel, CH

Since 2022         Member Teaching Committee, Geosciences, University of Basel, CH

2020 – 2022       National coordinator, Swiss Water-Earth Systems PhD School, UniNe, CH

Academic achievements, services, fellowships, and awards

Since 2022         Core Member, Swiss Groundwater Network (CH-GNet)

Since 2021         Associate Editor, Frontiers in Water

2017                   Editor, Hydrogeology Journal

2018 – 2024      Associate Editor, Hydrogeology Journal

2017 – 2018       SNSF early postdoc.mobility fellowship, (grant: P2NEP2_171985)

2017                   Prix Leon du Pasquier and Louis Perrier, Best PhD thesis at UniNe in 2017