Swarnalee Mazumder was awarded the 2023 Women4Geo scholarship of the Research Unit Remote Sensing and worked on "Forecasting Heatwaves in Central Europe using Machine Learning". Here you can read about her experience:

My name is Swarnalee Mazumder, and I am currently pursuing my Master's degree in Climate Science at the University of Hamburg, Germany. In the summer of 2023, I had the opportunity to work as a Women4Geo Summer Student with the Remote Sensing Group at the Department of Geodesy and Geoinformation at TU Wien. My research focused on "Forecasting Heatwaves in Central Europe using Machine Learning." Heatwave forecasting is crucial for preparedness, allowing communities to implement measures to protect vulnerable populations. It also enables sectors like agriculture, energy, and health to anticipate and mitigate the adverse effects of extreme temperatures.

The scholarship presented an invaluable chance for me to deepen my understanding of remote sensing, enhance my skills in climate data analysis, and use the capabilities of machine learning. To identify heatwave patterns, I utilized ERA5 reanalysis data spanning from 1970 to 2000. Subsequently, I developed machine learning models based on data from 2001 to 2020, applying these models to make predictions for the years 2021 to 2023. Throughout this process, I employed a variety of ML libraries within Python.

My engagement with the project and the lab environment was thoroughly enjoyable, and it has inspired me to continue this line of research. I am currently refining my summer research project, incorporating a more extensive analysis of environmental factors that influence heatwave formation for my ongoing Climate Study Project in Hamburg.

I am immensely thankful for the chance to contribute to the Remote Sensing group's research and for the memorable experience of spending two enriching summer months in Vienna. My gratitude extends to Prof. Wolfgang Wagner, Sebastian Hahn, and Alexandra von Beringe for opening doors to this opportunity. I am eager to maintain a collaborative relationship with the group in the future.