Our fellows

The third round of heatflow.fellowships have been awarded in fall 2023. The submission deadline for round 5 is the 1st of March 2025. You can submit proposals at any time.

Round 6:

Will you be the next?

Apply for the fellowship
Round 6, deadline: 01 March 2025

Round 5:

01 March 2024, we received nine applications from Algeria, India, Cameroon, Egypt, Djibouti, and China

Fang Xie

China
E-Mail
Round 5 (09/2025-12/2025; at Nanjing University, China)

Round 4:

,

01 March 2024, we received eight applications from India, China, Nigeria; Mexico, USA, and Türkiye

Xiaoxue Jiang

China
E-Mail
Round 4 (09/2024-12/2024; at GFZ Potsdam, Germany)

Dr. Abdelkader Ait Quali

Algeria
E-Mail
Round 4 (09/2024-12/2024; at Sorbonne University, Paris France)

Abdelkader AIT OUALI is a permanent researcher in the renewable energy research center of Algiers (CDER). He obtained his PhD degree (September 2020) in hydrogeology from USTHB (University of Science and Technology Houari Boumedienne, Algiers, Algeria). He also received a Master's degree in geology and a Magister's degree in hydrogeology. His main research focuses on geothermal resource estimation, heat flow evaluation and hydrothermal geochemistry. He achieved various field works and participated in many training courses in foreign laboratories: Department of Earth Resources Engineering, Kyushu University: Fukuoka, Japan; Center for Hydrogeology and Geothermic University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland; Technical training on geothermic fields in Kenya by Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and GDC (Geothermal development company) ; EDYTEM Laboratory University Savoie Mont Blanc France; Geosciences and Environment laboratory Cergy University Paris France. He is involved in different internationals projects: UNESCO Geothermal resources for energy transition (IGCP 636); LEAP-RE Europe cooperation with Africa (evaluation of geothermal Atlas for Africa) and he is the author of several publications in geothermal energy and hydrogeology (http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1171-0553).

Round 3:

15 September, 2023; we received nine applications from Algeria, Nigeria, India, Tunesia, Colombia, Turkey, Djibouti, and Australia; three were awarded, two accepted.

Ayan Dutta

India
E-Mail
Round 3 (03/2024-05/2024; at GFZ Potsdam, Germany)

I am working as a researcher in the Thermal Geophysics Group at CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad, India. I have completed Master of Science in Applied Geology from Presidency University, Kolkata, India. My research interests include the assessment of heat flow, studying the thermal characteristics of different rock formations and their implications for geological dynamics at a regional scale. I am also interested in modelling the temperature distribution beneath the Earth’s surface. I am involved in several projects on giving the crustal thermal structure of different regions of India and my Ph.D. work is focused on Ladakh Himalayan Region, India.

Harold Buitrago

Colombia
E-Mail
Round 3 (05/2024-07/2024; at GFZ Potsdam, Germany)

My name is Harold Buitrago. My professional experience has primarily focused on thermal modeling, with an emphasis on factors such as geothermal gradient, heat flow, and the thermal properties of rocks. I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and a Master of Science degree in Geophysics from Universidad Nacional de Colombia. My master's thesis presents the first proposal of the lithospheric temperature structure in Central-Eastern Colombia, where I implemented the finite difference method and processed oil & gas thermal information. Additionally, my background includes expertise in petrophysics, gravimetry, magnetic data processing, and petroleum geology. Furthermore, I taught Fundamentals of Geology at Universidad Nacional de Colombia for two years and created a YouTube channel called "Geologia para Todos," which has amassed more than 2000 subscribers. Currently, I am pursuing a PhD at the Centre for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Ensenada. My research focuses on developing a thermal model for the Ringvent area in the Gulf of California, utilizing the Finite Elements method and including energy, mass, and moment conservation laws.

Insaf Mraidi

Tunisia
E-Mail
Round 3 (03/2024-08/2024; at University of Genoa (Italy) and GFZ Potsdam (Germany))

Was granted but withdrawn by candidate

My name is Insaf Mraidi. I am from Tunisia. I’m a dedicated and passionate researcher, with a strong commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of heat flow and its different implications from geology and geophysics to energy exploration. I received my PhD in April 2024 from the Faculty of Science of Tunis. My thesis project corresponds to the Calculation of Heat Flow in the Gulf of Gabès-Gulf of Hammamet region : Role of geodynamic evolution and impact on oil potential. I also have a master’s degree in Basin Analysis and Reservoir Characterization. My researchs focuse on updating the heat flow database in Tunisia which is very old and dates back to 1989. I proposed a new temperature correction methods which are specific to the Tunisian basins and to their characteristics. I also proposed a new approach to calculating and evaluating thermal conductivity for the first time in Tunisia. I managed to demonstrate that the new approaches proposed are effective and they affect the oil potential of the regions studied. The new geothermal gradient, thermal conductivity and heat flux maps were the subject of my scientific papers Mraidi et al., 2021 and 2024.

Round 2:

1 March, 2023; six applications from Ethiopia, Algeria, India, Colombia, China, Nigeria; five awarded

Jhon Camilo Matiz Leon

Colombia
E-Mail 1, E-Mail 2
Round 2 (09/2023-11/2023; at Sorbonne University, France)

Geodesic Engineer and Master in Information Sciences and Geomatics from the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas. Postgraduate Fellow of the Geothermal Training Programme - GTP of the Center for Capacity, Development and Sustainability and Social Change - GRÓ of the Government of Iceland and UNESCO. Ph.D. student in Geosciences at the National University of Colombia. His research work includes experience in the exploration of geothermal resources through 3D modeling and 3D litho-constrained stochastic geophysical inversion, absolute gravity, global navigation satellite systems, Geomatics and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), statistics and spatial analysis. The main areas of interest are research and innovation of methodologies for the estimation and spatialization of geothermal gradient and heat flow, favorability zones through Paly Fairway Analysis, geomatics-geothermal integration (through the application of spatial information technologies), numerical modeling, 3D modeling, and 3D geophysical inversion for the exploration of geothermal resources in sedimentary and hydrothermal environments.
He's currently working as a researcher in 3D modeling, 3D litho-constrained stochastic geophysical inversion, absolute gravity, and Geomatics and GIS applied to geothermal exploration, in the Geothermal Research Group of the Colombian Geological Survey - SGC. Member of the Colombian Geothermal Association (AGEOCOL), a non-profit association of professionals, whose main objective is to promote the exploration, development, use, and exploitation of geothermal energy in Colombia.

Mohammed Hichem Bencharef

Tebessa (Algeria)
E-Mail
Round 2 (07/2023-09/2023; at GFZ Potsdam, Germany)

My name is Mohammed Hichem Bencharef and I am from Algeria. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in applied geophysics at Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University and I completed my master's degree in engineering geology from Mohamed Seddik Benyahia Jijel University, where I gained a strong foundation in geologic principles and their practical applications. As a Ph.D. student, I am dedicated to expanding my knowledge of geophysics and developing innovative approaches to studying heat flux. During my academic career, I have focused on various topics related to geothermal energy, including heat transfer in porous media, rock mechanics, and geothermal exploration. I am thrilled to have been awarded the Heat Flow Fellowship, which provides me with the chance to work alongside esteemed scientists and make meaningful contributions to the IHFC Global Heat Flow Database project. In addition to expanding my knowledge, I am eager to keep myself up-to-date on the most recent developments in geothermal technology. This unique opportunity will allow me to gain practical experience in collecting and analyzing heat flux data, as well as collaborate with top experts in the field. I’m a dedicated and passionate researcher, with a strong commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of heat flux and its different implications from geology and geophysics to energy exploration and climate science.

Yibo Wang

China
E-Mail
Round 2 (09/2023-12/2023; at University of Nanjing, China)

I am Yibo WANG, born on March 16, 1993 in Zhoukou, He’nan Province, China. I am a postdoctoral fellow at Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGGCAS) and received my PhD in September 2020 from the IGGCAS, specializing in structural geology (research area: geothermics). I have been studying heat flow, thermal structure and thermal process since 2015, and the title of my doctoral dissertation is differences of thermal regime of the cratons in Eastern China and discussion of its deep dynamic mechanism.

Sidagam Eswara Rao

India
E-Mail
Round 2 (07/2023-09/2023; at GFZ Potsdam, Germany)

I’m Sidagam Eswara Rao, working as a researcher in the Thermal Geophysics Group at CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad, India. I have completed a Master of Science in Geophysics at Andhra University, India. I am pursuing Ph. D on the topic “Thermophysical properties of major rock formations in Western Himalaya region, India, and their implications in thermal modeling.” I have participated in several geothermal fields in India to collect samples for thermophysical investigations and measure temperature in boreholes. I also carried out laboratory measurements to determine the thermophysical properties and geochemical characterization of rocks using state-of-art equipment. Presently I am involved in the thermal modeling of the subsurface temperature field.

Belay Gulte Mino

Salale University (Ethiopia)
E-Mail
Round 2 (08/2023-10/2023; at University of Melbourne, Australia)

My name Belay Gulte Mino. I am working as a researcher and lecturer at Salale University, Ethiopia. I am recent graduate of master’s degree in petroleum engineering from Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Russia. I have an experience in lecturing energy and geothermal resources.

Round 1:

1 Sept, 2022; eight applications from Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and Turkey; three awarded

Nishu Chopra

Hyderabad (India)
E-Mail
Round 1 (04/2024-09/2024; at GFZ Potsdam, Germany)

Dr. Nishu Chopra is working as a researcher in the Thermal Geophysics Group at CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI), Hyderabad, Telangana, India. She completed her master’s in Geophysics from Kurukshetra University (India) and holds a Ph.D. in Geophysics with a specialization in Thermal Geophysics from Andhra University (Visakhapatnam, India). She is experienced in dealing with continental geothermal data. Her research work comprises the acquisition, processing, modelling, and interpretation of heat flow, thermal conductivity, and heat production data to elucidate the thermal structure of the lithosphere. She has expertise in the thermal properties of crustal rocks at elevated temperatures.

Elif Pazvantoğlu

Izmir (Turkey)
E-Mail
Round 1 (01/2023-04/2023; at GFZ Potsdam, Germany)

I received my Ph.D. in Geophysics in 2017 at Dokuz Eylül University, As a research assistant, I have been involved in several national projects to study the crustal thermal structure of the Anatolian plate, Turkey since 2009. My research interests include the estimation of heat flow, the thermal properties of rocks, and their significance in regional geodynamic processes. I am also interested in numerical modeling of the subsurface temperature field.

Karina Fuentes Bustillos

CICESE (Mexico)
E-Mail
Round 1 (10/2022-01/2023; at GFZ Potsdam, Germany)

I am Karina Fuentes from Mexico. I consider myself an enthusiastic person about science. I studied environmental sciences at UABC and a master's degree in earth sciences at CICESE. I am currently doing my Ph.D. studying the thermal state of the lithosphere associated with rift tectonic environments through the analysis and modeling of marine heat flow and other petrophysical measurements. I also had the opportunity to participate in the direct acquisition of marine heat flow measurements through oceanographic campaigns, two in the Gulf of California and one in Antarctica. These incredible experiences motivate me to continue studying the dynamism of the ocean floor and the geological processes involved in rift systems.