Dissertation Award

The Italian Glaciological Committee, to promote studies and research of glaciological interest, announces a Distinguished Dissertation Award for theses of Master degree course of studies (discussed in the indicated previous years to the deadline).

Download the 2023 EDITION Dissertation Award announcement HERE

Awards

• Award 2020-2021 assigned ex aequo to:

  Paolo Colosio for the dissertation:
  Enhanced resolution mapping of melting over the Greenland and Antarctica ice sheets (1979 – 2016) using passive microwave brightness temperatures
  

  Andrea Securo for the dissertation:
  Multi year evolution of ice in caves through SFM-MVS and GPR techniques
  

  Federico Tognetto for the dissertation:
  Geomorphological analysis and assessment of landforms, processes and resources for a sustainable management of a high-altitude alpine area: the Indren-Cimalegna sector in the Monterosa Ski resort
  

  Marta Zappetti for the dissertation:
  Spatial and temporal analysis of the distribution of blue ice areas in the antarctic continent
  

• Award 2019 to Leonardo Stucchi for the dissertation:
  Glacier Dam: Climate change and power production at Sabbione plant
  A paper was also published on “Water” 2019, 11(8): “Stucchi L., Bombelli G.M., Bianchi A. & Bocchiola D. Hydropower from the Alpine Cryosphere in the Era of Climate Change. The Case of the Sabbione Storage Plant in Italy”

• Award 2018 assigned ex aequo to:

  Camilla Cappelletti for the dissertation:
  Accurate geomorphological mapping and pedological survey of the
  Stolemberg periglacial highplain (Monte Rosa) for the reconstruction
  of its environmental evolution
  

  Elena Di Stefano for the dissertation:
  Anthropogenic radioactivity assessment of the Adamello Glacier ice core

• Award 2016 assigned ex aequo to:

  Federico Scoto for the dissertation:
  Retreating and thinning rate Of Sólheimajökull Glacier (South Iceland) during the period 2007-2014: analysis of short-temporal scale phenomena affecting glacier dynamics

  Eros Svanera for the dissertation:
  Thermofluidodynamic modeling of the evolution of the Adamello Glacier in a changing climate

• Award 2015 to Giulia Arianna Premoli for the dissertation:
  A 1D model of snow-gliding: the case study of Mont de la Saxe (NW Italian Alps)
  with the following reason:
  …(omissis)… “The dissertation develops a numeric model of the snow gliding process applied on a slope of the mountain site of “Mont de la Saxe” (Val Ferret – Courmayeur, Aosta Valley, Italy).
  The theoretical basis of the snow cover slow movement are extensively treated with a deep analysis of the various thermic and mechanical variables of the snow as well as the dynamic aspects of its motion.
  The results predicted by the numeric model, compared to the field measurements collected from 2011 and 2012 surveys are exhaustively discussed with critical sense and make this work an interesting starting point for further future developments.” (…)

• Award 2014 assigned ex aequo to:

  Riccardo Cerrato for the dissertation:
  Elaboration of dendrochronological curves (Larix Decidua Mill.) and dendroclimatical analysis from the Little Ice Age to the present on the northern slope of the Presanella Group (Rhaetian Alps)
  with the following reason:
  ….(omissis)… “The aim of the thesis is the construction of new dendrochronological curves of the northern sector of the Presanella Group (Rhaetian Alps). Sampling criteria and method of analysis adopted have allowed the construction of new dendrochronological curves of great interest for the study area. Noteworthy is the detection of dendroclimatic signal of the last pulses relative to the Little Ice Age as contribute for reconstructing the climatic changes occurred during the last millennium. The methodologies applied in field survey and sampling, as well as laboratory measurements and processing of data are well described and explained with numerous graphics. The results obtained, critically discussed, are well summarized and distinct. The conclusions are well explained and critically faced.” (…)

  Alessandro Silvano for the dissertation:
  Icebergs in a large Greenland glacial fjord
  with the following reason:
  ….(omissis)… “The thesis, written in English, analyses the forcings that influence motion and melting of icebergs in a Greenland fjord. The theme is topical as the flow associated with the melting of icebergs is potentially a conditioning factor for the thermohaline circulation and deep-water formation. The method used to achieve the objective is the exploitation of a new methodology for applying an existing technology for observing icebergs and it is based on the use of PIES (Pressure Inverted Echo Sounders). This work develops a new methodology, based on field data, for dynamical and thermodynamical study of icebergs. Furthermore, it provides potential new ideas for the construction of models of future climate scenarios. Methods and results are clearly discussed and critically faced, also in view of future applications.” (…)

• Award 2013 to Laura Camilla Vezzola for the dissertation:
  Detecting indicators of climatic and environmental changes using dendroglaciological analysis, stable isotopes and VOCs at the Miage Glacier (Aosta Valley, Italy)
  with the following reason:
  …(omissis)… “The topic addressed is original and innovative. The environmental conditions affect both the grow-rate of the trees, the stable isotopes content of the annual growth rings, and the emission of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), potentially allowing to perform paleoenvironmental reconstructions on the basis of dendrochronological investigation. It is clearly shown that the tree-ring analysis, already recognized as an extremely useful tool for the study of the dynamics of climate and environmental changes, are used for analysing the stress factors that influence the arboreal growth at the interface with the glacial environment.
  Well appreciable the rigorous scientific approach, the smoothness and effectiveness of the text.”

• Award 2012 to Federico Vantadori for the dissertation:
  Mapping of the glaciers in the Central and Eastern Alps with ASTER satellite images
  with the following reason:
  ….(omissis)… “The subject of the Thesis is original and of great scientific interest, as the remote-sensing survey of the glaciers and the detailed tracing of their limits represents one of the focal points of the glaciological studies on mountain areas, with special attention to those belonging to the Ortles-Cevedale Group (Italian Central Alps). Very valuable are the ease of the exposition and the scientific accuracy of the text, the analytic development of the case studies and the critical analysis of the obtained results, among which there is not only the achieving of well-established procedures of measure and analysis, but also an accurate methodology for identifying glacier limits that allows to define in time their own dynamics.”

• Award 2011 assigned ex aequo to:

  Giulia Castellani for the dissertation:
  A thermomechanical model of the Antarctic ice shelf
  with the following reason:
  ….(omissis)… “The thesis develops a numerical model, with a calculation code created in FORTRAN, to study the behavior of the Antarctic ice-shelves and the evolution of their grounding line. The work is well structured and balanced in all its parts. The evolutionary models here proposed are used in a convincing way. Great care has been devoted to the preparation and exposure of the methods and results. The processed products are of great interest and the candidate appears to have deepened the general aspects related to her research, while having gained considerable methodological expertise.” (…)

  Sara Gambelli for the dissertation:
  Contribute to the calculation of the surface energy bilance distributed on the surface of Forni Glacier (Ortles-Cevedale Group)
  with the following reason:
  ….(omissis)… “The thesis is clearly illustrated, valid from an experimental point of view and clearly illustrated. Methodology, data collection and processing are presented with scientific accuracy. The large amount of data obtained provides useful information for the development of the energy balance of the Forni Glacier, also taking into account geomorphological and meteorological factors. The thesis provides an original contribution to the quantitative modeling of the energy exchange between the atmosphere and the glacier.” (…)

• Award 2010 to Paolo Caronna for the dissertation:
  Impact of the regional climate change on the energy and mass balance ofthe Adamello Glacier
  with the following reason:
  ….(omissis)… “The thesis shows the effects of climate change on the glacial environment of the
  Adamello Group applying climate models on a regional scale in a convincing approach. The
  integration between considerations of a general nature and the specific case of a narrow area
  received particular interest. The purpose of outlining medium and long term scenarios of evolution
  for such an important glacial alpine district, with the related socio-economic implications, was
  considered very valuable and highly topical.” (…)

• Award 2009 to Daniele Fava for the dissertation:
  Study of the stability of rock walls at high altitude, in relation to the problem of permafrost degradation: the case of the Capanna Carrel (Mt. Cervino, Ridge SW)
  with the following reason:
  ….(omissis)… )… “The considerable amount of information and data presented is extremely topical, addresses a relevant issue within the cryosciences, and adds original information for understanding the dynamics of permafrost in massive rocks.” (…)