Promoting Geoscience Research, Education & Success

Denitza D. Voutchkova

Denitza D. Voutchkova, Research Assistant

Denitza presenting her PhD results at the European Geoscience Union (EGU) annual meeting.

Denitza performing streamflow measurements at Bear Creek in East Fork Wind River, Wyoming.

Denitza working on Groundwater sampling in Denmark as part of her PhD.

Education and Experience

2018-Present: Research Assistant, Groundwater and Quaternary Geology Mapping Department (Aarhus), Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Copenhagen, Denmark

2017-2018: Lecturer, National University of Singapore

2015-2016:  Postdoctoral researcher at Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA

2011-2014:  PhD fellow at Department of Geoscience, Aarhus University, Denmark

2011:  MSc in “Water and Environment”,  Aalborg University, Denmark

2006-2009:  Civil engineer in Bulgaria

2007:  MEng in civil/hydraulic engineering at University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and   Geodesy, Bulgaria

My interests

I’m interested in a wide range of topics related to water quality and quantity. Love traveling, taking pictures, mountain biking, skiing, and just being in the nature doing fun stuff with friends.

How I became a scientist

After graduating in Bulgaria, I worked for 2 years as a civil engineer on various geotechnical and hydrotechnical projects, which lead me to think I would really want to do something “more environmental”. I didn’t know what that is, but I knew I wanted to continue studying about water resources and water-related issues. I signed up for a MSc in Water and Environment in Denmark. During my education within this program, I got really interested in becoming a researcher, so I continued my career path in academia. In the last 10 years, the focus of my interests has been shifting between hydraulics, hydrogeology, aquatic chemistry, hydrology, and even human health.

Answering the question how I became a scientist… I think it starts with curiosity, then some patience and lots of hard work. Most importantly, you have to enjoy it!

How my research benefits society

The results of my PhD filled a gap in the knowledge on the geographic variation of iodine in drinking water in Denmark. Iodine is essential element, so knowing where people get just enough or not enough iodine helps improving supplementation and eventually human health and wellbeing.

My postdoc, is about streamflow variability and availability during the summer months in the semi-arid Wyoming. This is an important topic for water resource planning.

To learn more about my research check out my personal webpage, where I write about my work and usually post pictures from the places my work brings me to.