iCRAGs Geoscience for Sustainability PhD programme was launched in 2022 which resulted in the recruitment of over 30 new PhD researchers. iCRAG is delighted to welcome the next generation of researchers who will be future leaders in delivering innovative science and technologies to better understand our planet, sustainably manage our natural resources and protect the environment.
Pouya Zahedi (TCD)
Project title: Investigation into the design axial capacity of driven piles in clay and silt
Foundation systems play key role in stability of the structures. In order to design the foundation systems for buildings, geotechnical engineers need a deep understanding of the behavior of the various types of the foundation systems. Pouya's research involves investigating the performance of the driven piles as a deep foundation system for buildings, and the outcomes will help engineers to develop more accurate designs.
Pouya successfully concluded his MSc in Geotechnical Engineering from Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University of Iran in 2020. He is currently working on piles and foundation systems and as a result of his research, he recently established a knowledge-based company to commercialize Screw/Helical Piling in Iran.
La Donna Fredericks (UCD)
Project title: Geometry and nature of inversion structures in the Irish Orefield and their impact on mineral deposits and associated mineralization
As the population increase there is a growing demand for zinc and lead, which are base metals used in the electrical, automotive and construction fields. As such, this research project will help to determine where next to look for these metals to meet the growing demand. La Donna's contribution is to describe how the rocks fold and fracture so we can better understand how the minerals behaved. This will require working back in time to determine what happened to the rocks, how and why.
La Donna Fredericks is a Guyanese geologist. She is a phD candidate at UCD and a part of the iCRAG team doing a research project in economic and structural geology. She enjoys doing field work, networking, and being part of a dynamic team (together each achieve more). Her hobbies are travelling, drawing, dancing, and problem solving. All in all her main goal is to be the best version of herself.
Nanyu Wei (UCD)
Project title: Geological and petrophysical characterization of the electromagnetic anomaly of the Lisheen Zn – Pb deposit in Ireland
Nanyu’s current main research objective is to quantify the relationship between ore mineralogy and texture and the geophysical response in electromagnetic surveys. She is exploring and hopes to tell an interesting story about the petrophysical response of different geologic units and mineralization types in Lisheen deposit.
Nanyu is a PhD researcher at iCRAG - University College Dublin. Before joining iCRAG, Nanyu graduated with a BSc in Exploration Geophysics in 2020 and later studied for MSc at Southern University of Science and Technology (Shenzhen, China), mainly focusing on joint inversion with deep learning method. Nanyu is an optimistic Earth explorer who believes in the power of scientific research to promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
Andrea Pierozzi (TCD)
Project title: Supercritical CO2 REactivity in polymineralic-fluid systems (SCORE)
The goal of Andrea's work is to ginvestigate what happens when basalt reacts with water and carbon dioxide at high temperatures and pressures. This work is carried out because it is with a view to decarbonising, in fact many companies are developing similar processes in order to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Andrea Pierozzi is a PhD student at Trinity College of Dublin. He obtained my bachelor's degree and his master's degree at the University of Florence, with a thesis in the field of geochemistry. Last year he attended a one-year course at the University of Basilicata; the focus of this course was the role of management in the energy transition.
