Greetings! I am Varun Khajuria, an enthusiastic explorer of mountain ecosystems and their water resources. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Geoscience and Environment at the University of Pisa, my academic journey reflects a dedicated pursuit of knowledge and hands-on experience in the realm of water resources. I initiated my career by obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from (2013-2017). During this period, my interest in Water resources took root while working on my final graduation project, which delved into the intricacies of “scour around circular compound bridge piers”. Motivated by this newfound passion, I further honed my expertise by enrolling in a Master's in Technology program in Water Resources Engineering (2019- 2021). The focal point of my thesis was the study of snowmelt runoff in a mountainous catchment, demonstrating my commitment to understanding the hydrological dynamics of challenging terrains. Subsequently, I transitioned into the role of a Research Scientist at the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, ISRO. For more than two years, I contributed significantly to the project titled "Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) Geoportal with Allied Database Development for UT Ladakh Sub-Theme: Integrated Water Resources Study for the Assessment of Water Availability, Water-Ice Harvesting and Flood Hazard Mapping". Here, my responsibilities centered around investigating water availability in Himalayan catchments and conducting site suitability analyses for water ice harvesting structures in the Ladakh Himalayas. I am also a Life member of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing. As a Ph.D. candidate, my research aligns seamlessly with my passion and expertise. My project, titled "Permafrost Ice in the Southwestern Alps: A Long-term Water Reservoir," focuses on the permafrost ice present in the rock glaciers of the Southwestern Alps. Leveraging remote sensing morphometric analysis, interpretation of near-surface geophysical data (Ground-Penetrating Radar-GPR, Electrical Resistivity Tomography-ERT), and volumetric reconstructions based on Modeling techniques, I aim to contribute valuable insights to the understanding of this unique water reservoir and addressing critical challenges in water resource management.
RESEARCH INTEREST
- Cryosphere
- Water Resources
- Hydrology
- Remote Sensing and GIS
- Hydrological modelling
Research project: Permafrost ice in the Southwestern Alps: a long-term water reservoir.
Supervisors:
Professor Adriano Ribolini (DST-UNIPI)
Professor Shaktiman Singh (University of Aberdeen)
Varun Khajuria
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra
Università di Pisa
Via Santa Maria 53
56126 Pisa
Italia