My Blog & Recent Activities

I'm pleased to share that I've successfully completed an 8-week full-time internship at the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Geospatial and EO-based Humanitarian Technologies (GEOHUM) at the University of Salzburg's Department of Geoinformatics.

During this intensive research position, I had the opportunity to work on developing and testing a deep learning model specifically designed for flood identification using Sentinel-1 radar imagery. The project encompassed the complete geospatial data workflow:

• Acquiring and processing Sentinel-1 radar data using QGIS and Python
• Developing training and testing datasets for model development
• Training a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for automated flood classification
• Conducting comprehensive qualitative and quantitative accuracy assessments

This experience allowed me to bridge theoretical knowledge from my studies with practical applications in humanitarian technologies. Working with radar imagery presented unique challenges compared to optical satellite data, particularly in developing robust classification methods for flood detection under various environmental conditions.

I'm grateful to the team at Z_GIS for their guidance and support throughout this internship. The skills I've developed in deep learning applications for geospatial analysis will be invaluable as I continue my research in the Copernicus Master in Digital Earth program.

I'm excited to share that I've successfully completed the CIVIS Blended Intensive Program (BIP) on "Using Drones in Environmental Sciences" organized by the University of Bucharest, earning a grade of 8/10 (Good) and 3 ECTS credits.

This comprehensive program combined virtual learning from February to June 2025 with an intensive field component in Sinaia, Romania, from June 2-6, 2025. The program brought together students and experts from multiple European universities including Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Autonomous University of Madrid, and Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen.

The hands-on program covered the complete drone workflow for environmental applications:

• Advanced flight planning and mission design for diverse environments
• Field data collection in mountainous terrain (Bucegi Mountains) and urban landscapes
• Drone-based vegetation assessment and cultural heritage documentation
• Processing and analysis of drone imagery using specialized software
• Integration of drone data with traditional geospatial analysis methods

Highlights included field campaigns in the spectacular Bucegi Mountains, data collection in historic Brașov, visits to fortified churches at Hârman and Prejmer, and documentation of the iconic Bran Castle. The program also featured technical sessions at the Sinaia Research Station and cultural visits to Peleș and Pelișor Castles.

This experience significantly enhanced my practical skills in drone operation, environmental monitoring, and data processing. The international collaboration aspect provided valuable insights into different approaches to geospatial technology applications across European contexts. These skills perfectly complement my ongoing studies in the Copernicus Master in Digital Earth program and will be invaluable for my research in geospatial analysis and urban planning.

I'm excited to share that I've successfully completed my first year in the Erasmus Mundus Copernicus Master in Digital Earth program at Paris Lodron University Salzburg and have now transitioned to Palacký University Olomouc for the second year of this incredible academic journey.

My year in Salzburg was truly transformative, providing a solid foundation in Earth observation and geoinformatics. The program allowed me to:

• Develop advanced skills in remote sensing, GIS, and spatial data analysis
• Participate in cutting-edge research projects focusing on environmental monitoring
• Collaborate with international experts and students from diverse academic backgrounds
• Gain practical experience through fieldwork and laboratory sessions in the Austrian Alps
• Build a strong theoretical foundation in digital earth technologies and applications

Now, as I begin my studies in Olomouc, I'm looking forward to specializing in Geovisualization and Geocommunication. The Czech Republic offers a new cultural and academic environment that will further enrich my educational experience. The second year curriculum focuses on:

• Advanced cartography and interactive map design
• Geospatial data visualization techniques and tools
• Web-based mapping applications and development
• Spatial communication strategies for diverse audiences
• Human-computer interaction in geospatial contexts

This transition between countries and specializations represents one of the unique strengths of the Erasmus Mundus program - the opportunity to experience different European academic systems and cultural environments while building a comprehensive skill set in digital earth sciences.

Moving from the alpine setting of Salzburg to the historical city of Olomouc presents exciting new opportunities for research and exploration. I'm particularly looking forward to applying my first-year knowledge to more specialized visualization challenges and contributing to the geospatial community through innovative communication methods.

The journey continues to be challenging yet incredibly rewarding, and I'm grateful for the continuous support from both universities, the Erasmus Mundus program, and my colleagues from around the world. I'm excited to see what this second year in the Czech Republic will bring and how it will shape my professional path in geospatial sciences.