PHD

Details: Written by Super User; Category: PHD; Published: 04 December 2020

Last Name	First Name	University	Role
Barchi	Massimiliano Rinaldo	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Professor, Coordinator of the Phd School
Baldanza	Angela	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Researcher
Cambi	Costanza	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Researcher
Balic-Zunic	Tonci	University of Copenaghen, Section of Geology	Professor
Bennett	Richard Anthony	University of Arizona, Department of Geosciences	Professor
Cardellini	Carlo	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Professor
Caricchi	Luca	Université de Genève	Professor
Cencetti	Corrado	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Professor
Cherin	Marco	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Professor, Phd Coordination group
Chiodini	Giovanni	Istituto Nazionale Geofisica e Vulcanologia	Professor
Cirilli	Simonetta	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Professor
Comodi	Paola	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Professor
De Paola	Nicola	University of Durham	Professor
Di Matteo	Lucio	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Professor
Frondini	Francesco	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Professor
Koyi	Hemin	Uppsala University	Professor
Kueppers	Ulrich	Ludwig- Maximilians University, Munchen	Professor
Martini	Rossana	Université de Genève	Professor
Melelli	Laura	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Professor, Phd Coordination group
Mirabella	Francesco	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Professor, Phd Coordination group
Mondini	Alessandro	Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche	Researcher
Nazzareni	Sabrina	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Researcher
Pauselli	Cristina	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Researcher
Perugini	Diego	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Professor
Petrelli	Maurizio	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Professor, Phd Coordination group
Porreca	Massimiliano	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Professor
Rettori	Roberto	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Professor
Robertson	Peter	Queen's University Belfast	Professor
Rooney	David	Queen's University Belfast	Professor
Spina	Amalia	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Researcher
Valigi	Daniela	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Professor
Zucchini	Azzurra	University of Perugia, Department of Physics and Geology	Researcher

Details: Written by Super User; Category: PHD; Published: 04 December 2020

38th Cycle

Giulia FISAULI	Contacts: Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Title: Tephra characterization from different natural archives for the study of the impacts of explosive eruptions and past atmospheric circulation paths

Description: The PhD project is focused on the study and characterization of tephra (i.e. unconsolidated clastic material produced by a volcanic eruption) from different geological records, such as ice cores and marine sediments, for the study of the impact of explosive eruptions.

By analyzing and characterizing the tephra and their dispersion it will be possible to obtain important volcanological information such as the age, the volcanic source, the chemical evolution of the magma, the eruptive dynamics and the intensity and magnitude of the eruptions. Tephra also provide time-stratigraphic constraints both for geological and environmental events useful both for paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental reconstructions. In addition, studying the tephra dispersion will provide important information on the study of past atmospheric circulation paths.

I’ll carry out geochemical analyses both for major and trace elements (EPMA and LA-ICP-MS respectively) and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating techniques.

Elia PANDOLFI BALBI	Contacts: Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Title: Reuse of industrial and domestic waste in the construction of road pavements
Description: Recent international commitments are promoting the use of renewable energy sources to making possible the recycle of waste and to reducing use of fossil fuels for lower carbon dioxide emissions. Following these aims biomass-fueled thermal power plants should be increase, generating many waste of ashes need to be recycled. My project is to develop of strategies to reuse industrial and domestic biomass ashes waste in road building as stabilizing agents and filler. My phd will be founded half by Pavi company which is performer of pavements roads. The project will be followed by the collaboration between the Physics and Geology Department, where I will carry out chemical-mineralogical analysis, to check the formations of cement compounds within treated lands, and Pavi Company, where I will perform structural engineering analysis to verify the improvements of geotechnical properties within treated lands provided by the company. Additional analyses will be carried out at Viaria laboratory, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, and dedicated to the characterization of materials used in road pavements. This way the chemical-physical processes occurring with the addition of biomass wastes, in the different layers of road pavements will be

Elpiniki Maria PARPAROUSI	Contacts: Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Elpiniki-Parparousi-2

Project title: Research and conservation strategies for the paleontological heritage: case studies from Umbria

Abstract: Umbria represents an area of extreme interest for paleontological studies, especially with regard to marine and continental vertebrates of the Pliocene and Pleistocene (last 3 million years approximately). In spite of the great abundance of fossils, also of international scientific importance, the study of some collections is still at a preliminary stage. At the same time, the problem of the conservation of this important heritage has never been addressed, especially considering the multifaceted range of taphonomic contexts from which the fossils come. Through the identification of case studies from heterogeneous stratigraphic and taphonomic contexts, this project aims to provide on the one hand unpublished scientific data fundamental to the knowledge of the Umbrian paleontological heritage, on the other crucial information for its conservation, which can also be exported for other collections in Italy and abroad.

Haidra SALEH	Contacts: Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Project title: Assessing large scale ecological responses to climatic change of Central Mediterranean area in the last 2000 years.

Project Description: This project will investigate the ecological dynamics across Central Mediterranean area in the last 2000 years. The semi-enclosed configuration of the Mediterranean Sea makes this a vulnerable region to modern, and also to past climate changes. Archaeological and historic studies and paleoclimatic data make this area a perfect case study to investigate the potential influence of climate on civilisations. The focus will consist in the reconstruction of paleo-floral dynamics. This approach will enable relationships within and between ecosystems, as well as periods of stability and periods of change. The method will mainly consist in the traditional – to reconstruct the vegetational paleo-community - and chemical palynology - to reconstruct past solar irradiance, specifically ultraviolet radiation at the local, habitat scale. Stable isotope analysis of C and O will establish the precipitation regime, the atmospheric CO2 concentration as well as nutrient supply and ecosystem productivity

37th Cycle

Alessandra ARIANO

Contacts:
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PhD project

Title: Geochemical-environmental monitoring of soil gases and gases dissolved in groundwater

The research, in collaboration with Thearen srl, consists in testing a network of mobile sensors for monitoring the concentration and fluxes of gases from soil ad natural waters. The analysis will be done on Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane and also on indirect greenhouse gases with high global warming potential including volatile organic compounds (VOC). We will use low energy consumption sensors for the concentration of CO2 and CH4 and also the new accumulation chamber under developement in Thearen srl for the fluxes of CO2, CH4 and VOC. The research has three main phases of which the first is a. choice and testing of sensors and the accumulation chambers, b. monitoring network design, geostatistical and machine learning software developement and c. to experiment the network in different geological-environmental contexts. The geological-environmental contexts could be anthropogenic contexts like potentially contaminated sites, landfills and clean-up areas or natural contexts like large-degassing processes areas like geothermal, volcanic and seismic regions.

Alessandro SABATINI

Contacts:
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PhD project

Title: Mapping the thermophysical properties of Appennines rocks: implications for the geothermal potential

Description: Nonostante l'esistenza di un elevato numero di misure del flusso di calore nel mondo, l'andamento della temperatura all'interno della Terra è molto incerto. Con questo progetto mi propongo di effettuare un'ampia raccolta di campioni sulla quale condurre misure di proprietà termofisiche quali conducibilità termica, diffusività termica, capacità termica specifica, densità, porosità e composizione mineralogica, con lo scopo di mappare la conducibilità termica dei campioni analizzati e ricavare delle relazioni teoriche tra le proprietà, che possano essere applicate anche per rocce presenti in altri parti del mondo. Tutto ciò potrebbe avere implicazioni sulla stima del potenziale geotermico delle aree di studio.

Martina BURNELLI

Contacts:
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PhD project

Title: TERRA - geodiversiTy and biodivERsity in uRban Areas

Description: The current Climate Emergency calls for political actions and research aimed at building a more sustainable future for all. As stated by the World Urbanization Prospects of 2018 (ONU), within the 2050 the urban areas will host more than the 70% of population. Thus, the need for more sustainable cities is a really urgent issue too. Hence, In my PhD project I would like to define a new quantitative and scale-independent model of geomorphodiversity (GM), as a starting point for the life support on Earth and as and index of the geomorphological variety in urban areas. The analysis of the correlation between the GM index and the biodiversity index will create a potential new indicator for the safeguard of green spaces in the city. This indicator will be then tested in three different urban context. A final step will foreseen a larger map analysis in Italy through the use of the geomorphodiversity index. All the PhD project will be carried out with the collaboration of many researchers and Institute: the CNR IRPI of Perugia, the Department of Physics and Geology and the Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences of Unipg , the University of Lousanne and the Sapienza University in Rome.

Marco URBANI

Martina BURNELLI

Contacts:
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PhD project

Title: CO2 Capture & Storage (CCS): Structurally controlled reservoirs

Description: Geological storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) represents an immediately (and realistic) applicable technology to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions responsible of global warming. In this context, even structurally controlled reservoirs can be deployed to achieve the goal of contrasting the climate change. The aims of this project are to obtain a structural characterization for the components (reservoir and caprock) of a CO2 storage site, to have a site characterization for geological storage of CO2 by studying representative areas and to define the variations of stress and strain in the rocks subjected to injection of CO2.

Sofia ORTENZI

Contacts:
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PhD project

Title: Analysis of infiltration and runoff processes in small hill basins: from laboratory to site scale

Description: The project intends to analyse both at laboratory and site scale, the problem of runoff and its consequences (e.g. runoff, soil loss, etc.). The research aims to develop a procedure for defining runoff activation thresholds on slopes with medium-low permeability. An integrated approach of ground-based data with satellite observations (rainfall and soil moisture data) will be used to optimise the analysis and reduce the cost and time of data acquisition.

Pubblicazioni

1. Di Matteo et al., 2021. Processes in the Unsaturated Zone by Reliable Soil Water Content Estimation: Indications for Soil Water Management from a Sandy Soil Experimental Field in Central Italy. Sustainability 2021, 13, 227. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010227

Fabio SILVANI

Contacts:
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PhD project

Title: Geomorphological evidence of active tectonics and relationships with Quaternary deformation from case studies in central Italy

Description: This PhD project focuses on geological mapping and the morphotectonic study of post orogenetic intermountain basins of central Italy. The goal is to propose a morphotectonic evolution of the area by analysing the geomorphological evidences (landscape evolution and drainage network) and the Quaternary continental deposits in the context of recent and active tectonics. The project is funded by the CARG project (Geological and geomatic CARtography), with the collaboration of ISPRA and the Umbria Region.

Pubblicazioni

1.Silvani, F. (2021). The key role of anthropic underground cavities in the urban geology: the Etruscan Well in Perugia's upper town (Umbria, central Italy). Atti del 90° Congresso della Società Geologica Italiana. 14-16 Settembre 2021. Trieste. https://doi.org/10.3301/ABSGI.2021.03
2.Melelli L., Silvani F., Ercoli M., Pauselli C., Tosi G., & Radicioni F. (2021). Urban Geology for the Enhancement of the Hypogean Geosites: the Perugia Underground (Central Italy). Geoheritage, 13(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-021-00545-z
3.Ercoli M., Melelli L., Pauselli C., Silvani F. (2019). Geophysics and Geomorphology for archaeo-geosites in urban area: the Etruscan Well in Perugia (Umbria, central Italy). Atti del 38° Convegno GNGTS - Gruppo Nazionale di Geofisica della Terra Solida. 12-14 Novembre 2019. ISBN: 978-88-940442-9-4.

Martina OCCHIPINTI

Fabio SILVANI

Contacts:
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PhD project

Title: Multispectral data analysis for detection of environmental effects induced by large earthquakes

Description: Large earthquakes produce important effects on the natural and anthropic environment which can last for several years or decades. These earthquakes are able to perturb the environment in terms of important ground deformation, hydrologic crises and dangerous landslides. The monitoring of these effects is a challenging task that is impossible to carry out only with field observations. For this reason, a wide remote sensing observation repeated during time allows us to have an integrated view of the environmental evolution after large magnitude earthquakes. The aim of this PhD project is to develop an automatic remote sensing technique for detecting the temporal evolution of physical parameters at the surface (e.g., displacement, temperature, humidity) before and after a large earthquake. To this aim, multispectral data from satellites of the Copernicus Program will be used. The ultimate goal is to mitigate the hazard associated with the environmental effects induced by large earthquakes. The case study will be the 2016 central Italy earthquake, where a large amount of data is available. The industrial partner is the “Eagleprojects” company, which is specialized in remote sensing and big data analysis.

Monica Agreda LOPEZ

Contacts:
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PhD project

Title: Data Driven Approach to investigate pre-eruptive magma storage conditions and trigger mechanisms of volcanic eruptions

Description: During this PhD project we aim to improve the estimate of P-T conditions of volcanic plumbing systems and magma dynamics by modeling compositional variations in melts and crystals using machine learning algorithms. We also aim to define the evolution of crystal-melt partitioning and modeling the diffusion of chemical elements along with 1D profiles and 2D maps for determining the time elapsed between magma refilling and eruption by modelling their temporal evolution.

Luca PASQUALONE

Contacts:
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PhD project

Title: Depositional evolution of a space-time migrating foredeep through a multidisciplinary/multiscale approach: an example from the Marnoso-Arenacea basin (Northern Apennines, Italy)

Description: In the Umbria pre-Apennines a comprehensive and updated synthesis of the depositional architecture and the structural setting of the Miocene foredeep succession is still lacking. Also the deformation times have been only roughly defined, except for some limited sectors. Another important but underdeveloped issue regards the values of sedimentation ratios over time and under the influence of the emplacement of the Tuscan-Ligurian allochthon and the activity of possible syn-sedimentary normal faults active in the foreland. Defining the relationships between the different tectono-stratigraphic units, and integrating them with literature biostratigraphic data, will allow to constrain the sedimentary evolution, the physiography of the basin and the timing of the deformations. Further aims of this work are to provide constraints to the burial history of the Miocene foredeep. The final synthesis of the project will be an attempt to apply methods of basin-analysis to the entire Marnoso-Arenacea foredeep. This objective will be pursued through a multidisciplinary approach, integrating field mapping, detailed stratigraphic and structural analysis, and the interpretation of any available seismic reflection line that crosses the study area also aided by three-dimensional modeling techniques.

36th Cycle

Matteo BISOLFATI

BISOLFATI Matteo square

Contacts:
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Phone:
Andress:

PhD Project
Title: Constraining the geochemical composition of lavas erupted on extraterrestrial planets by spectral analysis of experimental samples. (Petrology, Planetary Geology)

Topic: This PhD work will focus on the analysis of the spectral response in the infrared range of samples rocks made in the laboratory by melting natural material. Gained results will be comparate with the cosmic radiometry measurements, in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency (ASI). In parallel we will analyze the fractal geometric characteristics through the analysis of Digital Elevation Models of natural surfaces with the purpose to extrapolate chemical, geometric and geomorphological information of geological environments.

Publications

Pisello et al., 2019. Retrieving magma composition from TIR spectra: implications for terrestrial planets investigations. Scientific Reports, doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-51543-9

Maria Chiara CACIOLLI

foto caciolli

Contacts
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PhD project

Title: A multi-technique geological and geophysical approach for characterization of soils in Appennine intermountain basins of Central Italy in seismic microzonation perspective.

Topic: The aim is to test a method based on indirect techniques to investigate the subsoil: stratigraphic sequences and buried geometries are fundamental factors for the local site response.

Publications

1. Mancini M., Stigliano F., Moscatelli M., Caciolli M.C., Fortunato C., Giallini S., Pennica F., Sirianni P. Caratterizzazione geologica dei terreni di copertura per la valutazione dei geohazard (2020) IGAG DAYS, Roma 2020

2. Gaudiosi I., Caciolli M.C., Fortunato C., Giallini S., Polpetta F., Razzano R., Sirianni P., Simionato M., Tarquini E. Il contributo degli effetti di sito alla stima della pericolosità sismica: best practices e prospettive future (2020) IGAG DAYS, Roma 2020

3. Alleanza G.A., d’Onofrio A., Gargiulo F., Silvestri F., Mancini M., Gaudiosi I., Caciolli M., Cavuoto G., Di Fiore V., Milana G., Vassallo M. (2020) Valutazione della risposta sismica locale di alcune aree dell’Isola di Ischia per la pianificazione di interventi di mitigazione del Rischio Sismico. XXVII CNG

4. M. Mancini,I. Gaudiosi,M.C. Caciolli, G. Cavuoto, V. Di Fiore, G. Milana, M. Vassallo, F. Silvestri, A. d’Onofrio, G. A. Alleanza, P. Pompa, M. Coltella, G. Cosentino, A. Pietrosante, E. Tarquini (2019) Assessment of site effects in volcanic areas: results from Seismic Microzonation studies in the Island of Ischia (Naples, Italy). GNGTS, Roma, 2019. pp 1-3

Nicola Mitillo

MITILLO Nicola square

Contacts:
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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-mitillo-32192a178

PhD Project
Title: Characterization of CO2 Geological Reservoir Storage
Topic: Mostly of carbonates reservoirs have been used for oil and gas production for their favorable characteristics like porosity and permeability, but only recently researchers understood the potential value of these formations as tools in addressing climate change. From this point of view, carbonate reservoirs, which are known to be much more chemically reactive when interacting with CO2, were poorly investigated. For this reason, the aims of the PhD will be to fully understand the behavior and interaction between the injected CO2 and the hosting rock from a petrophysical, mineralogical and geochemical point of view.

References
1. Zucchini A. et al, 2019. The influence of the dolomitization process on texture and porosity of carbonates. Congresso congiunto SIMP-SGI SOGEI – Il tempo del pianeta Terra e il tempo dell'uomo: Le geoscienze fra passato e futuro (Parma, Italia)

Lisa RICCI

RICCI Lisa square

Contacts
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Phone:
Address:

PhD Project
Title: Tectonic and volcanic Earth degassing along the European Cenozoic Rift System (ECRIS): Origin of the fluids and quantification of the process.

Topic: My current project is focuses on the study of Earth degassing along the passive rift named European Cenozoic Rift System (ECRIS). The aims of the project are the quantitative estimation of the CO2 flux and the study of the chemical and isotopic composition of fluids discharged to the surface along the ECRIS system. The quantification of the total CO2 discharged to the atmosphere from rift areas is crucial for the correct definition of the present-day global Earth degassing.

References
1. Mancini et al., 2020. Geogenic CO2 flux calculations from the Late Pleistocene Tivoli travertines (Acque Albule Basin, Tivoli, Central Italy). DOI: 10.3301/IJG.2020.10

2. Ricci et al., 2018. Oxygen isotopic analysis of Mineo (Sicily, Italy) pallasite. Plinius, doi: 10.19276/plinius.2018.03016

3. Ricci et al., 2017. Oxygen isotopic analysis of Mineo (Sicily, Italy) pallasite. Geoscience: a tool in a changing world. Abstract book. Congresso SIMP-SGI-SOGEI-AIV 2017, doi: 10.3301/ABSGI/2017.01

Details: Written by Super User; Category: PHD; Published: 08 May 2020

The fields of Physics and Geology share several methodologies and research themes, such as the application of physical, numerical, experimental, and computer technology methods. Particularly relevant are the studies on the cosmic radiation and astroparticles, nuclear and elementary particle physics, the properties of condensed matter, cosmochemistry and geochemistry of the solar system bodies, the nuclear dating of meteorites and rocks, tectonics and geodynamics, the exploration of mineral and hydrocarbon resources, and the dynamics of earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions. The interdisciplinary teaching and research training approach is aimed at forming specialists with an outstanding scientific profile, who are able to develop their future career in both basic and applied research and the industry. Agreements with foreign high level Universities (such as the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenaghen) have been signed to insure the possibility of co-tutorship of the PhD Thesis and of achieving the title of Doctor Europaeus.

The integration between physical and geological disciplines occurs through the development of two interacting curricula: Physics and Geology.

The curriculum in Physics includes theoretical and experimental research carried out in collaboration with international organizations, such as CERN, ESA, ESO and NASA. It focuses on fundamental interactions, particle and astroparticle physics, and nuclear interactions. Moreover, the curriculum comprises education and research training in condensed matter and solid state physics, as well as in biophysics and nanoscience research, also in collaboration with international facilities such as Elettra, ILL and ESS.

The curriculum in Geology includes field and experimental research on the main constituents of the earth (minerals, rocks, fossils), on the magmatic, geomorphologic, sedimentologic and tectonic processes. Moreover, it includes research training aimed at localizing and exploiting geologic resources such as geomaterials, water and hydrocarbon resources. Specific lines of research are developed in the context of engineering geology, hydrogeological, seismological, and volcanic risks.

A list of present and past specific research topics can be found in the section devoted to PhD Students.

Here you will find a collection of photos relative to the celebration of the PhD Honoris Causa to John Sandercock: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ylob0mf4o6um71o/AABNaEYBoFC_XDjJ1OblNJBTa?dl=0

Coordinator of the PhD Program and Responsible for the Curriculum in Physics

Prof Giovanni Carlotti

tel.: [+39] 075 585 2767

e-mail: giovanni.carlotti(at)unipg.it

Vice-Coordinator and Responsible for the Curriculum in Geology

Prof Diego Perugini

tel.: [+39] 075 585 2608

e-mail: diego.perugini(at)unipg.it

Details: Written by Super User; Category: PHD; Published: 04 December 2020

AA2022-2023

Seminars

• Thu 29 Sep (2:00 pm) – 2nd Earth Sciences webinar cycle – Lorenzo Bonechi (INFN Florence) – Muon radiography: an innovative geophysical prospecting technique. Introduction and discussion of real cases

• Thu 20 Oct (2:00 pm) – 2nd Earth Sciences webinar cycle – Michele Cenci (Regione Umbria) – Energy policy, burden sharing and renewable energies: Umbria’s hard trek. Challenge for the next future. Are renewable electric energies enough?

• Thu 01 Dec (2:00 pm) – 2nd Earth Sciences webinar cycle – Bernard Shmitt (IPAG Univ. Grenoble Alpes / CNRS) – The SSHADE European database infrastructure in spectroscopy of solids: its spectral and band list databases on ices, organics and minerals for astrophysics and geosciences

• Thu 15 Dec (2:00 pm) – 2nd Earth Sciences webinar cycle – Antonia Elia (University of Perugia) – Microalgae as multifaceted environmental tool for assessing freshwater ecosystem health

• Thu 10 Jan (2:00 pm) – 2nd Earth Sciences webinar cycle – Giovanni Boschian (University of Pisa) – South African hominins and caves under a microscope. New geological approaches to an old problem

• Tue 17 Jan (3:00 pm) – Andrea Villa (Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont) – To juggle frogs: ectothermic tetrapods as palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic proxies

• Tue 2 Feb (3:00 pm) – Walter Dragoni (University of Perugia) – Climate changes and impacts on the environment

Doctoral Courses

• Dr. Maurizio Ercoli (University of Perugia)
Title: Ground Penetrating Radar in geosciences: principles and applications
Dates: mid-June
Hours: 16 h
Credits: 3 ECTS credits
Syllabus:
The course will provide a theoretical introduction to the near-surface geophysical method known as GPR, with a particular focus on geoscience applications, and will include practical activities (collection and analysis of experimental data).
Course schedule:
2h - Introduction to geophysical methods
2h - Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), theoretical principles
2h - Equipment and data acquisition
2h - Data analysis and processing
4h - Conventional and advanced tools for data interpretation, examples of applications
4h - Practical demonstration of data acquisition, processing and reporting
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• Dr. Paolina Bongioannini Cerlini (University of Perugia)
Title: Introduction to Atmospheric Physics, Climate and COPERNICUS DATA STORE (CDS)
Dates: 29 March – 28 April 2023 (Wed-Fri 15:00-17:00)
Hours: 20 h
Credits: 3 ECTS credits
Syllabus:
This course serves as an introduction to the atmosphere and ocean dynamics.
Its purpose is to introduce students of different backgrounds to atmospheric sciences and physical oceanography and basic knowledge of climate system making them familiar with some fundamental aspects of dynamics applied to geophysical fluids. Some basic knowledge of
phyton programming language may be used to analyze climate data contained in the COPERNICUS CDS.
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• Prof. Maurizio Petrelli (University of Perugia), Dr. Alessandro Mondini (CNR-IRPI)
Title: Machine learning for data analysis, and image classification in the Earth Sciences
Dates: to be defined
Hours: 15 h
Credits: 3 ECTS credits
Syllabus: -
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• Dr. Filippo Carboni (University of Perugia)
Title: From Seismic Interpretation to Balancing and Restoration using Move
Dates: beginning of March
Hours: 24 h
Credits: 4 CFU
Syllabus:
The course is aimed at improving the skills of the participants in the balancing and restoration techniques applied to compressional folds and faults, with the use of 3D Move software. The participants will mainly work with the NW Borneo dataset, whose interpretation is already published in the Journal of Structural Geology, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2018.10.011.
This training is aimed at appealing to doctoral and early-career scientists. Due to the limited available workstations and licenses, a maximum of 20 participants is allowed, thus a first-come-first served policy, based on the subscription date, is applied.
Course schedule:
2h - Introduction to deep-water fold-and-thrust belts
1.5h - Introduction to seismic and seismic interpretation 1.5h - Introduction to balancing and restoration techniques 1h - Introduction to Move software
6h – Seismic interpretation
6h – Application of balancing techniques
6h – Restoration of the obtained sections
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• Dr. Andrea Sorci (University of Perugia)
Title: Sedimentary petrology applied to reservoir characterization
Dates: second half of April-beginning of May
Hours: 20-21 h
Credits: 3 ECTS credits
Syllabus:
Reservoir rocks constitute relatively voluminous sedimentary bodies characterized by high porosity and permeability. These petrophysical features make reservoir rocks very important from an economic point of view, favouring the long-term storage of energy resources (e.g., hydrocarbons and geothermal hot water) and, from a new perspective, greenhouse gases (i.e., carbon dioxide and methane) and hydrogen. In this view, sedimentary petrology represents an essential tool to characterize reservoir rocks, permitting to define their paragenetic history from deposition through diagenesis.
This short course aims to provide knowledge and skills about siliciclastic and carbonate rock petrology to assess their petrophysical properties and reservoir quality. The students will be trained to:
1. Recognize and classify siliciclastic, carbonate and hybrid reservoir-prone rocks;
2. Analyse the controlling factors on compositions, textures, structures and primary porosity distribution;
3. Define the provenance of extrabasinal particles and their stability under diagenetic processes;
4. Assess porosity and permeability evolution under diagenesis;
5. Learn the use of laboratory techniques (i.e., optical and electronical microscopes, cathodoluminescence, Raman-spectroscopy, clumped isotopes, image analysis) also throughout several case histories.
Practical exercises (both on the field and at the laboratory) will complement theoretical lectures.
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• Dr. Alessandro Pisello (University of Perugia), Dr. Maximiliano Fastelli (University of Perugia), Dr. Mickael Baquè (DLR)
Title: Frontiers in Solar System Studies and Exploration
Dates: 3-5 April 2023
Hours: 16-21 h
Credits: 3 ECTS credits
Syllabus:
The history of the Solar System can be investigated through the observation of its solid bodies: the planets and the asteroids. Planetary studies represent a great branch in nowadays scientific research, which is able to connect astrophysicists, geologists, chemists, engineers, biologists, and more through intense interdisciplinary collaboration.
We are proposing a 3-day course that will provide the knowledge on how data from telescopes and satellites were used to interpret the nature of celestial bodies to understand what elements, rocks, and minerals compose the surface of the planets, moons, asteroids, and comets of the Solar System. These topics will be carried on by describing the state of the art from spectroscopic, petro-mineralogical, and geochemical techniques used to analyse the surfaces of such bodies.
Moreover, it is important that modern PhD and Master students which are interested in the study of planetary science develop the capacity to network and understand presentations by scientists from different fields. For this reason, during the course it will also be possible to get in touch with different internationally known speakers who will present seminars that will give a glance at cutting-edge science on their field of work.
Finally, the course will comprise practical sessions that will focus on the retrieval and interpretation of spectral data.
Program structure:
Day 1 - 09:00-11:00 - Lecture: Geological history of Terrestrial Planets (A. Pisello)
Day 1 - 11:00-13:00 - “Frontiers” seminars convened by A. Pisello
Day 1 - 14:30-17:30 - Lab: exp-petro lab + data retrieval (A. Pisello)
Day 2 - 09:00-11:00 - Lecture: Icy Bodies and Asteroids (M. Fastelli)
Day 2 - 11:00-13:00 - “Frontiers” seminars convened by M. Fastelli
Day 2 - 14:30-17:30 - Lab: Detecting bio and geo signature on Origin (M. Fastelli)
Day 3 - 09:00-11:00 - Lecture: Traces of life beyond Earth (M. Baquè)
Day 3 - 11:00-13:00 - “Frontiers” seminars convened by M. Baquè
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Schools

• Scuola Pialli 2023
6 ETCS credits
Dates to be defined
• School of Paleoanthropology
6 ECTS credits
13-18 February 2023
• International Short Course on Application of Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry to Earth Sciences
Dates to be defined

AA2021-2022

Seminars

Thu 27 Jan (4:30 pm)
Giorgio Basilici (Universidade Estadual de Campinas)
Variations from dry to aquic conditions in vertisols: a late Paleocene climate change (Esplugafreda Formation, eastern Pyrenees, Spain)

Thu 03 Feb (4:30 pm)
Alex Sendrós (Universitat de Barcelona)
Hydrogeophysical characterization of the Critical Zone using ERT (Electrical resistivity tomography)

Thu 10 Feb (4:30 pm)
Giorgio Minelli (Università degli Studi di Perugia)
Hydrogen underground storage in salt

Thu 17 Feb (4:30 pm)
Marta Della Seta (Sapienza Università di Roma)
“Aging” and “Lifting” in the morphoevolution of tectonically active areas

Thu 24 Feb (4:30 pm)
Nicola De Paola (Durham University)
What controls the spectrum of slip behaviour of (laboratory) earthquakes?

Thu 03 Mar (4:30 pm)
Alessandro Di Michele (Università degli Studi di Perugia)
Nanomaterials for CO2 conversion and valorisation

Thu 10 Mar (4:30 pm)
Andrea Schito (University of Aberdeen)
Organic matter Thermal maturity and Raman spectroscopy. State of the art and new perspective

Doctoral Courses

Title: Ground Penetrating Radar in geosciences: principles and applications
ETCS and Scheduling: 16 h, 3 ECTS credits, mid May
Teachers: Dr. Maurizio Ercoli (University of Perugia)
Syllabus: The course will provide a theoretical introduction to the near-surface geophysical method known as GPR, with a particular focus on the geoscience applications, and will include practical activities (collection and analysis of experimental data).

Title: Environmental implications of integrated hydrogeological and geophysical studies of soils
ETCS and Scheduling: 6 h, 1 ECTS credits, end of April-beginning of May
Teachers: Prof. Lucio Di Matteo, Dr. Cristina Pauselli, Dr. Maurizio Ercoli (University of Perugia)
Syllabus: The course will provide theoretical and practical concepts for understanding different processes in soils having environmental implications (managing water consumption and soil erosion, surveying geothermal characteristics, etc.). Different methods will be illustrated, highlighting how the integration of applied geology and applied geophysics approaches can provide extensive and accurate information on different soil types.

Title: Introduction to Atmospheric Physics, Climate and COPERNICUS DATA STORE (CDS)
ETCS and Scheduling: 5 ECTS credits, 1-24 March 2022, Wed-Fri 15:00-17:00
Teachers: Dr. Paolina Bongioannini Cerlini (University of Perugia)
Syllabus:

Title: Machine learning for data analysis, and image classification in the Earth Sciences(CDS)
ETCS and Scheduling: 15 h, 3 ECTS credits, 27-28-29 April 2022
Teachers: Prof. Maurizio Petrelli (University of Perugia), Dr. Alessandro Mondini (CNR-IRPI)

Schools

Title: Scuola Pialli 20200: Geothermics and Geothermal Energy
ETCS and Scheduling: 6 ETCS credits, June 2022

Title: School of Paleoanthropology
ETCS and Scheduling: 6 ECTS credits, Tentatively in June-July 2022

Title: International Short Course on Application of Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry to Earth Sciences
ETCS and Scheduling: 3 ECTS credits), 14-16 September 2022

Courses offered by the MSc in Geology, University of Perugia

Title and MsC: Mathematical methods for Geosciences, MsC in Geosciences for Risks and Environment Management
Teacher: Dr. Maurizio Petrelli
ETCS and Scheduling: 6 ECTS credits, possibly in presence, first semester

Title and MsC: Environmental geochemistry, MsC in Geosciences for Risks and Environment Management
Teacher: Prof. Francesco Frondini
ETCS and Scheduling: 6 ECTS credits, possibly in presence, second semester

Further training activities

The doctoral training program also comprises further activities, shared with other University of Perugia PhD programs, as described in the following.
Disciplinary and interdisciplinary training, advanced linguistic and computing training:
- Foreign language courses at CLA (Centro Linguistico d'Ateneo/University Language Center) according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), of six-month (10 CFU/ECTS) or annual (13 CFU/ECTS) duration;
- Computer lab courses or specific modules (1-2 CFU/ECTS) related to software for data analysis (R, Stata, GIS), word processing programs (LaTeX), specialized software, dedicated to geological data processing;
- Research management, knowledge of research systems and funding systems (1 CFU/ECTS);
- Enhancement of research results and intellectual property (6 courses, each 1 CFU/ECTS each). Each course is focused on the transition from basic research to applied research; research enhancement techniques; the funding of applied research; the protection of intellectual property; the university's actions to promote patents; business creation and research spin-offs. All the courses and modules described in this section require a final check.

AA2020-2021

Seminars

Seminars and Lectures, on topics not strictly related to the student research projects, will be organized, usually in the period between November 1st and May 31st, aimed at broadening the skills and increasing the awareness of PhD students. The lectures will be given by Italian and foreign qualified experts, by members of the PhD Board, as well as by former PhD students.

Jan 20, 17.00
Tonci Balic-Zunic (Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen)
Diffraction, a basic method in Geosciences

Jan 27, 17.00
Massimiliano Alvioli (CNR-IRPI, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Ricerca per la Protezione Idrogeologica)
Optimization of geomorphological slope units

Feb 03, 17.00
Hemin A. Koyi (Department of Earth Sciences, University of Uppsala)
How safe is the “safe”; salt structures as repositories for radioactive waste disposal

Feb 10, 17.00
Anne Pommier (UCSD-SIO, University of California San Diego, USA)
Experimental investigation of planetary interiors using electrical measurements

Feb 17, 17.00 - link to the seminar https://bit.ly/3r1QMUP
Andrea Chiuri (ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development)
Analytical techniques for geological sites characterization

Feb 24, 17.00
Giovanni Chiodini (INGV, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Bologna)
Carbon dioxide Earth degassing, heat flux and earthquakes: the case of the Apennines

Mar 03, 17.00
Francesco Salese (CSIC-INTA, Centro de Astrobiologia, Madrid)
Sedimentary Mars

Doctoral Courses

Title: Inverse Problems in Geophysics
Teacher: Prof. Rick Bennett Introduction to Atmospheric Physics and Climate
ETCS and Scheduling: 3 ECTS credits, Online, second semester

Title: Introduction to Atmospheric Physics and Climate
Teacher: Dr. Paolina Bongioannini Cerlini
ETCS and Scheduling: 6 ECTS credits, possibly in presence, second semester

Title: Combining GIS, Machine Learning, and Remote Sensing: how the spatial analysis could improve your research.
Teachers: Dr. Laura Melelli, Dr. Alessandro Mondini, Dr. Maurizio Petrelli
ETCS and Scheduling: 3 ECTS credits, possibly in presence, second semester

Schools

Title: School in Structural Geology “G. Pialli”
ETCS and Scheduling: 6 ETCS credits, possibly in presence, second semester (tentatively in September)

Title: School of Paleoanthropology
ETCS and Scheduling: 6 ECTS credits, possibly in presence, second semester (tentatively in June)

Title: International Short Course on Application of Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry to Earth Sciences
ETCS and Scheduling: 3 ECTS credits), possibly in presence, 25-25 June 2021

Courses offered by the MSc in Geology, University of Perugia

Title and MsC: Earth System Science, MsC in Geosciences for Risks and Environment
Management
Teacher: Prof. Diego Perugini
6 ECTS credits, possibly in presence, first semester

Further training activities

Details: Written by Super User; Category: PHD; Published: 07 May 2020

Ongoing Ph.D. Cycles

38° Cycle: 2022-2025;
37° Cycle: 2021-2024;
36° Cycle: 2020-2023.

General information

The new PhD program in Earth System and Global Changes aims to train specialists with interdisciplinary skills, able to deal with several significant and compelling problems of our rapidly changing world, mainly related to: Earth history and dynamics; exploitation of renewable and non-renewable energy resources and geomaterials, also in the perspective of a circular economy; mitigation of geological risks (seismic, volcanic, and hydro-geomorphological).
The PhD program provides international training opportunities on issues relating to climate change, strategies for mitigating natural and human-induced risks, demand for natural resources, and environmental sustainability.

Postdoctoral occupational contexts

The PhD program will train experts with high technical-scientific profile, able to fit into various public and private occupational contexts. The obtained updated and innovative skills will facilitate access to numerous work fields, such as (1) universities and other research institutions; (2) government agencies that require researchers who can support management and policy decisions to address major environmental problems that modern society is facing today, also promoting increased interactions between stakeholders and local communities (Social License); (3) public and private companies devoted to land management and geological risk mitigation, procurement, modelling, and management of geo-resources, sustainable production of minerals and energy resources, and the study and promotion of landscape and cultural heritage.

Educational and training activities

The PhD board provides a Doctoral Training Program, consisting of a wide range of first-class teaching activities. Starting from this program, PhD students are strongly encouraged in customizing their personal training path, coherently with the objectives of their specific research project.

Doctoral program courses

The courses will be taken by teachers belonging to the PhD board or by qualified external teachers, and may also be organized as thematic schools and/or workshops. All courses and schools will be open to students from other Italian or international PhD programs, promoting intellectual, scientific and personal exchanges among the participants. Eight courses (on average 3 ECTS each) will be offered, distributed in two periods: First semester (and winter schools), November-February; Second semester (and summer schools), March-October.

Courses offered by the MSc in Geology

The Department of Physics and Geology activated two new MSc courses ("GeoSciences for Risk and Environment Management" and "Geology for Energy Resources"), whose topics effectively interface with the educational objectives of the PhD program. Three courses (6 ECTS each), borrowed from the MSc classes, will be included in the PhD program, aimed to integrate specific training demands.

Seminar Cycles

Research stay in Italy and abroad

The PhD training program will be enhanced by stays at other universities or research institutions, in Italy (for an average period of 3 months) or abroad, both within the institutions involved in the PhD (for an average period of 12 months), and/or in other qualified universities or research institutions (for an average period of 6 months).