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Anna Maria Trofaier MPhys (Hons.), MSc

PhD Student

Anna Maria's research focuses on monitoring permafrost thaw lake dynamics in the Arctic by means of active microwave data.

Biography

Having always been interested in discovering the ways of the Universe, Anna Maria started out as an astrophysicist looking from Earth out into space. Spending 5 years at the University of Edinburgh's physics department (and a few cold nights underneath the dome of the observatory), she decided it was time to take a closer look at our own heavenly body.

She followed up her physics degree with a two year interdisciplinary MSc in Environmental Technology and International Affairs in her hometown of Vienna. Here, she first was introduced to satellite remote sensing. Having previously been a radio astronomer, it did not seem too large a leap for her to take into the realm of microwave remote sensing.

She joined the radar team at the Institute of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing of the Vienna University of Technology, which is where she developed a keen interest in exploring Arctic permafrost environments from space.

Qualifications

Research

My research is an investigation into permafrost thaw lake dynamics in discontinuous and continuous permafrost zones in the Arctic.

Thaw lakes, also known as thermokarst lakes, are not only indicators of permafrost decay but are also closely linked to atmospheric methane exchange. Rising air temperatures are leading to changes in bio-geo-chemical and hydrological cycling. My research focuses on monitoring changes in Arctic surface hydrology that arise due to these higher air temperatures.

Active microwave data sets are used for frequent monitoring of these thermokarst lakes.

Publications

Selected publications

External activities