At the start of the 2025 summer semester, Professor Denise Degen took over as head of the new “Modeling of Geosystems” working group at the IAG on April 1, 2025. A key aspect of Professor Degen's research is the development and application of physics-based machine learning approaches to enable more cost-effective simulations of the geological subsurface, e.g., for the responsible and renewable use of georesources such as geothermal energy. This combination of geoscientific application and methodological development places her research at the interface of geosciences, applied mathematics, and computer science.

The 34-year-old scientist previously worked as a junior research group leader at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam and as a research associate at RWTH Aachen University, where she also received her doctorate. She will continue to maintain close ties with the GFZ Potsdam through a project collaboration.

IAG/ker