Alumni

Alumni Success Stories

Welcome to the Alumni Page for the Master of Science (MSc) in Exploration and Applied Geophysics at the University of Pisa. Our program has a rich history of producing skilled geophysicists who have made significant contributions to the field. Here, we celebrate the achievements and success stories of our esteemed alumni.

Alumni Profiles

Elena Bernardini, Geophysicist and GEMS Program Participant at ENI, Class of 2023

Elena is currently participating in ENI's GEMS program, Master Geoscience for Energy, where she is deepening her geophysical expertise after spending a year at Geoinvest srl, a company specializing in geology and geophysics, applying her knowledge to seismic investigations.

“My journey in Exploration and Applied Geophysics at the Università di Pisa provided a rigorous academic foundation that was further enriched by hands-on experiences, especially during my thesis work with ENI. At the University of Pisa, I found an ideal learning environment, the professors demonstrated exceptional expertise and a genuine passion for sharing knowledge, always willing to offer guidance and support.

This master's program enabled me to secure an internship at ENI, where I dedicated several months to my thesis project titled, "The Effect of CO₂ on Log Response: How Can We Deal with It for a Sound Formation Evaluation? State of the Art." This experience allowed me to explore the complexities of CO₂ storage in geological formations which are essential for carbon capture and storage. In today’s world, where energy transition and climate change are critical challenges, this work felt especially meaningful, and I am grateful to the MSc in Exploration and Applied Geophysics for providing me with the opportunity to contribute to a relevant field.

The combination of a solid academic foundation, a hands-on internship, and now advanced training in ENI's GEMS program has been instrumental in shaping my career. For any student considering this path, I encourage you to fully engage in every learning opportunity and seize internships, as they are essential in transitioning smoothly from academia to the geophysical industry.”

— Elena Bernardini

 

Mrs. Greta Tresoldi, Product and Marketing Manager at LSI LASTEM, Class of 2016

Greta currently holds the position of Product and Marketing Manager at LSI LASTEM, a company specializing in the design, production, and distribution of environmental monitoring solutions across various sectors. One of her key responsibilities involves leading the development of the G.Re.T.A. system, an innovative autonomous geo-resistivimeter designed for long-term geoelectrical monitoring, leveraging cloud-based technology for enhanced functionality.
 
“In my experience pursuing an MSc in Exploration and Applied Geophysics at Università di Pisa, I found myself immersed in an exceptional academic environment. Not only did I uncover my passion for shallow Geophysics and its integral relationship with hydrogeological risk prevention, but I also witnessed firsthand the University's dedication to providing practical studies tailored to real-world applications. What truly sets apart the program is the support from Professors who are genuinely invested in helping students navigate their way into the professional world. Their guidance has been invaluable, paving the way for me to seamlessly transition from academia to the workforce. In fact, my thesis project remains the cornerstone of my current work. 
To any aspiring Geoscientists considering embarking on this journey, I encourage you to seize the opportunity. The rich learning environment, coupled with the hands-on experience and dedicated mentorship, will undoubtedly equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the dynamic world of Geophysics.”
 
— Greta Tresoldi
 

Mrs. Chiara Cocorullo, Co-fouder and geophysicist at SEISMIX, Class of 2011

Chiara is a geophysicist specialized in microseismic monitoring and management of seismic networks. After a career path in research and several geophysical companies, she cofounded SEISMIX, an innovative startup and UniPi spin-off offering microseismic monitoring services for the industries working in the geoenergy sector.

"The MSc program at the University of Pisa provided me with a comprehensive skill set that has been invaluable in my career. The strong foundation in physics and geology coupled with specialized geophysical knowledge and advanced computational skills, opened doors to many opportunities in the industry and were essential in allowing me to became a co-founder of the startup SEISMIX."

— Chiara Cocorullo

Dr. Ettore Biondi, Research Seismologist at Caltech, US, Class 2012

Ettore is currently a research seismologist at Caltech in California, USA. Ettore earned a PhD in Geophysics at Stanford University, where he developed new methodologies for elastic and acoustic full-waveform inversion. At Caltech, he started to focus on photonic seismology topics, specifically in the development of new methodologies for real-time analysis and subsurface monitoring and imaging of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) data.

"During my MSc studies at the University of Pisa, I fell in love with seismic imaging and computer simulation of natural phenomena. The broad and solid background in signal processing and data inversion I gained during that time has been the basis upon which I built any discoveries I made so far. I believe I will continue to use that knowledge throughout my professional career."

— Ettore Biondi

Mrs. Rosalena Filograsso, Geophysicist at Ikon, Class 2017

Rosalena is currently working for Ikon Science where she leverages her rock physics and imaging experience to provide clients with efficient and accurate solutions for quantitativeiInterpretation. During her time in UniPi, she was chosen for an internship at ENI specialising in rock physics. In 2018, before to start her career at Ikon, she moved on to CGG’s UK office as imaging geophysicist, where she worked for 4 years specialising in velocity model building. 

“The great study experience is Pisa provided me with all the technical tools and soft skills needed to start a career in Geophysics - overall, the course provided an occasion for personal and professional growth. The Msc strengthened my knowledge in general subjects (physics, signal analysis, coding) and trained me in advanced methods applied to geophysics, working in contact with academic and industrial top researchers. The open and international environment of the MSc allowed for getting into contact with lots of people and professionals through networking, also thanks to the many company days organised by the Course. I particularly found useful the meetings with recruiters held regularly – in fact, it is during one of these company days that I secured the assessment day for CGG after which I got hired! All the professors are highly competent and deeply care about the growth of the students and have always been happy to help me deepen my knowledge in any topic of interest. For my current activity In Ikon Science I take responsibility for technical and operational queries, advise clients on the workflow to adopt and showcase the software capabilities to clients and potential clients in technical sales activities. “

— Rosalena Folograsso

Mr. Francesco Talini, Reservoir Geologist at SNAM, Class 2022

Francesco is a Reservoir Geologist at Snam, an energy company specialized in the storage and distribution of nautural gas.
He works within the microseismic monitoring team of SNAM, where analyzed microseismc data, collaborating daily with the engineering team and geological team.

"The MSc program in Exploration and Applied Geophysics equipped me with fundamental skills that are crucial to my career. Throughout the different courses of the master I looked deeper into geophysical trand topics and I developed new passions like programming which facilitated my entry into the job market. I encourage current and future students to engage in networking, which is the true strength of this master program, allowing to create connections across countries and develop valuable opportunities."

— Francesco Talini

Stay Connected

We encourage our alumni to stay connected and share their experiences. If you would like to be featured on this page or share your success story, please contact us. We are proud of the accomplishments of our graduates and look forward to celebrating many more achievements in the future.

 

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