The federation
Intranet
Members
Charles Amory, Research scientist, CNRS
My work is focused on advancing our understanding of the interactions between ice sheets and the climate system. Through the development of models and the acquisition of in-situ observations, I aim to document the evolution of the polar snowpack, which plays a crucial role in mediating interactions between the warming atmosphere and the ice sheets experiencing mass loss
Laurent Arnaud, Research Engineer, CNRS
I study the snow cover on the surface of the polar ice caps and develop new instruments to characterize the optical and physical properties of snow. Our current challenge is to access the small and large scale spatial variability of snow cover properties. To do this, I participate in many field missions in polar regions and integrate our various sensors on drones. At the same time, I’m leading the UAV-IGE project, whose objective is to promote the use of UAVs in the various IGE themes.
Fanny Brun, Research scientist, IRD
My research work focuses on the measurement of mass changes of mountain glaciers. The originality of my approach is to combine both field measurements (to better understand glaciological processes) and spatial remote sensing measurements (to apprehend changes on a regional scale). I am particularly interested in the glaciers of Asia, the Andes and the Alps.
Jérémy Brice, Master 2 student, UGA
I am intern for a period of 6 months between February and July 2026 as part of the Master’s degree in ‘Climate Systems : Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Cryosphere’ (UGA). The research work carried out during this internship aims to better understand climate variability and change in the High Mountains of Asia (HMA). This will be achieved in particular through the use of data from the ERA5 reanalysis model and MAR model simulations for this region. I am specifically interested in moisture transport and its influence on local precipitation. The aim is also to understand the influence of the climate on a larger scale on the climate of the HMA, in particular by establishing a link with global climate indices.
Claire Brutel-Vuilmet, Lecturer, UGA/IUT1
My research concerns the modeling of the climate system in polar, subarctic or high mountain areas. I am more particularly interested in the cryosphere : its feedbacks on the atmosphere, interactions with vegetation, or thermal exchanges with the surface (soil, permaforst...). In the framework of the ESM-SnowMIP model intercomparison project, I am participating in the evaluation of snow models and I am trying to quantify some snow feedbacks on the other components of the climate system.
Victoire Buffet, PhD student
I study the future evolutions of atmospheric rivers (ARs) in Antarctica and their impact on the ice sheet. I am interested in ARs because they have a significant impact on the surface mass balance in Antarctica : positive on the East Antarctic ice sheet, but negative in the West, by transporting heat and humidity. My work aims to improve their detection and representation in climate model projections.
Ian Castellanos Dupuy, PhD student
During my PhD, I study climate change in the Alps with the aim of characterizing its impact on a local scale. To this end, I am using data from a regional climate model that simulates climate change up to the end of the century according to scenarios established by the IPCC. I am particularly interested in the physical causes of seasonal and geographical differences in simulated climate change.
Thomas Condom, Research scientist, IRD
I am a hydro-glaciologist. My research focuses on the hydrological cycle in mountain areas (Andes and Alps), where glaciers, impacted by climate change, can play an important role, still little known. My work is based on in-situ and satellite measurements and hydro-glaciological modelling, in order to better understand the interactions between climate variability and the response of hydrological systems at different spatial and temporal scales. I am co-director of the GREAT ICE International Joint Laboratory (IRD) which is a unique global network of researchers from North and South interested in glaciology-hydrology-climate-biodiversity relationships in the tropical Andes.
Gilles Delaygue, Lecturer, UGA
My research focuses on climate variability, its reconstruction methods, and its origins, in particular the role of solar activity in the modulation of this activity in the North Atlantic. I teach Earth sciences in bachelor and master degrees at UGA.
Jhan Carlo Espinoza, Research scientist, IRD (MOPGA)
My research focuses on understanding the impacts of climate variability and change on hydrology in the Amazon basin, with a special emphasis on the Andean-Amazon region. Since 2018 I am leading the AMANECER (Amazon-Andes connectivity) project of the Make our Planet Great Again program. In this framework, I am more interested in the climatic continuity between the Amazon and the Andes by considering the impacts of climate change and land use changes in the Amazon. I am a member of the steering committee of the regional hydro-climatic program ANDEX (GEWEX) and of the Scientific Panel for the Amazon (SDSN, United Nations).
Xavier Faïn, Research scientist, CNRS
After a decade devoted to the study of paleo-climates based on glacial archives, I am currently redirecting my research activities towards the study of climatic variability in mountain regions.I am currently interested in the high mountains of Asia (Pamir, Himalaya) and the spatiotemporal evolution of the surface mass balances of their glaciers by combining regional climate modeling (MAR model) and field observations.
Vincent Favier, Professor (Physist), OSUG-UGA
My research focuses on the measurement and regional scale modeling of the Antarctic surface energy and mass balances (GLACIOCLIM-SAMBA). Outside Antarctica, my research is focused on the link between climate and glacier melting, with a focus on the sub-Antarctic region (Kerguelen archipelago) and Patagonia.
Hubert Gallée, Senior Scientist, CNRS
I am the developer of the Regional Atmospheric Model (MAR) and I am particularly interested in the applications of this model for the study of the hydrological cycle, the surface mass balance of Antarctica, including the transport of snow by wind. I am also currently interested in the rainfall regime of West Africa.
Audrey Goutard, PhD student
My thesis work focuses on the study of rain and meltwater on the surface of mountain glaciers (Bolivia, Nepal, and the Alps), specifically its impact on the energy and mass balance. To do this, I am developing an approach to account for liquid water on the ice surface in the SURFEX-ISBA Crocus model and am also conducting field measurements related to albedo.
Ange Haddjeri
After earning an M.Sc. in Oceanic, Atmospheric, and Climate Science from Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 (2020), I completed a Ph.D. (2024) focusing on the spatial variability and modeling of Alpine blowing snow. During my doctoral research, I specifically worked on incorporating blowing snow transport into the Crocus snow model. My current research focuses on microwave emission modeling of snow, firn, and ice sheets using the SMRT radiative transfer model. I am particularly interested in modeling density layering (stratigraphy) within the firn to improve the analysis of satellite observations.
Bruno Jourdain, Lecturer (Assistant Physist), UGA, OSUG
I recently joined the Service National d’Observation GLACIOCLIM in which I participate in the monitoring of mountain glaciers.
Hans-Werner Jacobi, Senior Scientist, CNRS
I’m interested in the role of snow in different climatic, hydrologic, and biogeochemical processes. I’m working mainly on exchange processes of trace compounds between the atmosphere and the snow as well as on physico-chemical transformations in the snow and the atmosphere. I implemented long-term observations in the Arctic in order to document the changes in the physical and chemical properties of the snow.
Clémentine Junquas, Research scientist, IRD
I study the spatial and temporal variability of precipitation in the tropical Andes and seek to better understand the local, regional and global atmospheric processes that influence Andean precipitation. I use among others the regional climate model WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) in order to perform climate simulations at high spatio-temporal resolution. I am particularly interested in high glacial watersheds and valley processes in the Amazon-Andes transition zone.
Anne Letreguilly, Lecturer, UGA
My research focuses on the analysis and spatialization of ice mass balance data. I teach in L1 Life Sciences and L1 Chemistry-Biochemistry (computer science, co-responsibility of these Teaching Units) but also in L3 Earth and Environmental Sciences, and L3 Physics - Earth and Environmental Sciences - Mechanics (glaciology).
Giulia Mazzoti, Research scientist, INRAE
I am a researcher passionate about snow, glaciers, and mountains. My research focuses on the evolution of seasonal snow and glacier mass balance and their variabilita at small (hectometric) spatial and over short (daily) temporal scales. To this end, I combine process-based models, remote sensing data, and field observations. The goal of my work is to better quantify how snow and glacier melt contribute to the hydrology of alpine catchments.
Martin Ménégoz, Research scientist, CNRS
My research activity focuses on climate variability. I use climate models and observational datasets to study the climate response to external forcings : natural (such as volcanic eruptions), and anthropogenic (such as greenhouse gases and atmospheric aerosols). My investigations concern the climate of the past centuries as well as projections for the next century. I am particularly interested in the interactions between the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and the cryosphere over mountainous areas.
Élise Navarre
My thesis focuses on the analysis of snow and glaciers melt water contribution to high catchments rivers run off. I work over the french Alps and especially over catchments attached to GLACIOCLIM observatory glaciers. To this end, I use the physically based snowpack model FSM, as well as in situ observations and mesurements to calibrate its parameters. The FSM simulations will then allow me to force a hydrological model in order to evaluate the evolution of water ressources.
Florence Naaim-Bouvet
Ghislain Picard, Professor, UGA
I study the snow cover in the polar regions (Antarctica, Arctic) using satellite observations and in-situ instruments. My aims is to detect and understand snow changes induced by the climate. For this, I’m interesting in measuring and modeling the dynamics of the albedo, grain size, temperature, impurities content and all the other snow properties that somehow play a role on the Surface Energy Balance. I have been involved in many polar field campaigns and I have developed several radiative transfer models working in the optical and microwave ranges to understand the satellite signal and compute the surface radiative fluxes.
Glenn Pitiot, PhD student
My PhD thesis aims to represent ice slabs and assess their impact on the mass balance of ice sheets. To achieve this, a detailed representation of liquid water percolation within the snowpack is required. Field observations of both alpine and polar seasonal snowpacks will support the development and parameterization of this process in the SURFEX–ISBA Crocus model.
Adina Racoviteanu, Research scientist, IRD
My research focuses on decadal glacier changes in the high mountains (Andes and Asia) using optical and radar remote sensing specifically supraglacial debris cover and rock glaciers. I am interested in their dynamic behavior, their hazard potential and the link with local communities. I am actively involved in capacity building initiatives for local institutions in Asia and S. America and I am a core member of the Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (GLIMS) project.
Arnaud Reboud, Engineer, UGA
My work focuses on the physical monitoring of snowpack in mountainous regions and Antarctica, particularly as part of the ESA-supported St3TART-FO program. To this end, I develop and deploy autonomous measuring stations for the calibration and validation of altimetric satellite data (Sentinel-3). I am also involved in the development of an automated data processing chain and conduct experimental tests in the laboratory and in the field to characterise the sensors and gain a deeper understanding of their operation
Marion Reveillet, Research scientist, IRD
My research, conducted in collaboration with numerous colleagues, primarily focuses on the study of surface processes on mountain glaciers in the Alps and the Andes. The aim is to improve our understanding of their vulnerability to climate change. Combining both observational and modeling approaches, I am particularly interested in the small-scale interactions and energy exchanges between the snow and ice surface and the atmosphere.
Maria Santolaria Otin, Postdoctoral fellow, IRD
My research focuses on the interactions between climate, atmospheric dynamics, and the cryosphere, with a particular interest in the High Mountain regions of Asia. I contribute to two projects : RECAP, which combines field observations, remote sensing, and regional climate modeling to study the variability of snow accumulation in the Pamir Mountains ; and iFROG, which analyzes the future impact of changes in the rain/snow transition on glacier mass balance.
Jean Emmanuel Sicart, Research scientist, IRD
I am interested in the interactions between climate and glaciers and snow-covered mountains, especially in the Central Andes and the Alps. The analysis of the climatic forcings that control glaciers involves the study of atmospheric energy flows. I am therefore interested in the measurement (and associated problems) and simulation (and associated problems) of these flows that provide energy for melting ice or snow.
Hippolyte Signargout
I use my background in theoretical computer science to develop efficient inverse methods for remote sensing. My main project consists in using Bayesian inference algorithms to retrieve ice sheet characteristics from satellite observations. I also maintain the Python radiative transfer library SMRT. I work in collaboration with the INRIA, LJK and international organisms such as ESA and ISSI.
Delphine Six, Professor (Physicist), OSUG-UGA
My research activities focus on the monitoring of mountain glaciers (mainly in the Alps) as an emblematic indicator of climate change. My research is based on a set of observations declined within the National Observation Service GLACIOCLIM, Service that I carry and coordinate. Today, my research activities are very largely oriented towards society with many applications for hydroelectric companies, tourism companies, government services, as to the future evolution of mountain glaciers.
Lilian Turpin, , Etudiant en Master 2, UGA
My master’s thesis internship in SCAHC "Systèmes Climatiques : Atmosphère, Hydrosphère, Cryosphère" at UGA aims to combine and compare field observations of surface mass balance (SMB) carried out by Glacioclim on the Mera Glacier (Khumbu region, Nepal) with simulations from the MAR regional climate model. The aim is to provide an estimation of the spatiotemporal evolution of the SMB on the Mera Glacier and more widely in the Nepal region. As well as to understand the physical processes and atmospheric forcings that drive these changes.
Patrick Wagnon, Senior Scientist, IRD
As a field glaciologist specializing in the Himalayas, I have set up a glacier observation network in India since 2002 and in Nepal since 2007, within the framework of the GLACIOCLIM observatory (https://glacioclim.osug.fr/). My research focuses on glacier mass balances in these regions, and their relationship with the current climate. I work in collaboration with local teams, and lead the High Mountains of Asia project at the IGE.
They contributed to C2H in the past
Gabriella Collao Barrios, PhD student
Jean-Pierre Dedieu, Researcher, CNRS
My research activities focus on the study of the physical properties of snow and ice by spatial remote sensing for the analysis of snow-glacial processes (space-time dynamics, water balances) in relation to climate parameters measured at the regional scale. The sensors used are in active radar (SAR) or optical mode and the resituated data are compared to in-situ measurements in order to model the target behaviours (albedo, snow depth, density). The application sites and international scientific programs are located in the following locations.
Gerhard Krinner, Senior Scientist, CNRS
My work in polar climate modeling focuses on surface processes (snow, permafrost) and ice sheet mass balance. I also work on error correction methods for climate simulations. Furthermore, I am currently heavily involved in the work of the IPCC for the preparation of the 6th Assessment Report (2021/2022).
Ignacio Palomo, Researcher, IRD
I work on mountain socio-ecological systems, mainly on their challenges within the Anthropocene and the potential of nature-based solutions to address them. In particular, I study the interactions between biodiversity, ecosystem services and social equity.