Gina Tsarouchi
Professional background: I have a PhD in Hydrology, a MEng in Civil Engineering and a Masters in Water Resources Science.
What attracted you to HR Wallingford? While finishing my PhD, I started to look for an opportunity that was not too far from academia, but not too close either! HR Wallingford bridges the gap between academia and industry, so here we get the best of both worlds. The diversity of project work, from consultancy to collaborative research, was a key reason I wanted to work here.
What types of project do you work on?
In recent years most of the projects I have been involved in relate to the development of climate services for sustainable development (whether it is for floods, droughts or diseases). I am part of the International Development team, which means that most of my work relates to projects that help countries meet their Sustainable Development Goals.
Over the last decade I have been managing large project teams and working internationally in projects in Uganda (forecasting water availability), India (studying the impacts of climate change in water resources), Vietnam, Malaysia and Sri Lanka (developing a dengue fever early warning system - D-MOSS), St Kitts and Nevis (developing a drought forecasting system), Botswana and Ethiopia (prioritizing resilient investments for water security), South Africa (developing a strategy for climate services), Caspian Sea (looking at port infrastructure resilience).
It is very rewarding to have the chance to make a difference in countries that may be suffering from extreme weather, such as droughts and floods. It’s amazing to know that your work actually makes people’s lives better.
What’s the best thing about working at HR Wallingford? The people that work here and the opportunities to learn and grow professionally. It feels good to be part of a dynamic and diverse team, and the company is small enough to have a strong sense of community within the workplace. The working environment is nurturing and my colleagues are collaborative, friendly and welcoming. You get support to drive your professional development and HR Wallingford’s set up is unique to prepare you for a great outcome in the early stages of your career. The fact that we are independent and we invest in research makes this a unique place to be.
What do you enjoy most about your role? I particularly enjoy solving complex problems, and the opportunity to learn new things. I also enjoy spending time overseas and working with people from different backgrounds. It is very rewarding to have the chance to make a difference in countries that may be suffering from extreme weather, such as droughts and floods. It’s amazing to know that your work actually makes people’s lives better.
Gina in action
Gina and colleague Sajni exploring dinner options while working in Malaysia.
Meeting up with the D-MOSS project team in Vietnam.
Gina working with partners in Uganda to improve flood forecasting using Earth Observation technology.
Gina presenting progress on the Drought and Flood Mitigation Services for Uganda project at the EGU Conference in Austria.
Exploring some of Vietnam's water resources with colleague Darren Lumbroso.