GTU Master’s Student Completes One-Year Internship at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Elene Chikviladze, a second-year student of the Applied Geology Master’s Educational Program at the Faculty of Mining Geology and Sustainable Mountain Development of the Georgian Technical University (GTU), has completed a one-year internship at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The internship was carried out at the Isotope Hydrology Section (IHS) of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications (NA), within the Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences (NAPC), located at the Vienna International Centre (VIC).

Elene Chikviladze completed her bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics, specializing in Informatics Physics, at the Faculty of Informatics and Control Systems of GTU. She subsequently continued her studies at the Faculty of Mining Geology and Sustainable Mountain Development. Her master’s thesis focuses on the distribution and genesis of Radon-222 in Tskaltubo.

As the master’s student states, given the focus of her master’s thesis, Elene already had experience working with Radon-222. As she notes, the opportunity to gain international experience in isotope hydrology and work directly with modern research methods was therefore particularly valuable.

“The knowledge I acquired at the Georgian Technical University in hydrogeology and geoinformation systems made me a suitable candidate for this position. In addition, I work as a researcher at the Nodia Institute of Geophysics and as a junior specialist in the Department of Applied Geology, where I am involved in various scientific activities. As part of ongoing projects, I have actively participated in Radon-222 mapping activities in Georgia and in IAEA training programs, including regional training and certification courses on Residence Time Distribution (RTM/RTD) and Column Scanning (SSM/CST) techniques; water balance modeling using isotopes and the JAMS/J2000 modeling system (Parts 1 and 2); and a regional training course on water and soil management.

The one-year internship focused on improving a hydrological model developed using water-balance isotopes and the JAMS/J2000 modeling system by incorporating the Radon-222 concept. As a result, I developed the first isotope-enhanced JAMS/J2000 hydrological model for the Alazani River basin in Georgia. The work involved the use of existing research and datasets, as well as additional fieldwork. During the internship, I reviewed and critically analyzed a substantial body of scientific literature. The Alazani River basin was selected as the study area for the modeling.

During the project, I processed existing meteorological, isotopic, and hydrological data and used results from satellite observations and climate models. The research required the use of various programming languages, geographic information systems, and specialized software, which allowed me to further develop my existing skills and knowledge. I also assisted one master’s student and two doctoral students with hydrological modeling. In addition, I served as an assistant during a two-stage training course on the JAMS/J2000 water-balance hydrological model enhanced with isotopic data.

During my internship, I prepared a scientific article based on the research conducted. The article examines the use of additional information sources for hydrological modeling in data-scarce basins, the potential for improving modeling results, and directions for future research. Its publication is planned for the near future.”

– Elene Chikviladze, Master’s student

At the conclusion of her internship, Elene Chikviladze delivered a summary presentation to the Isotope Hydrology Section and at a meeting of the Coordinated Research Project on hydrological modeling. During her internship, she participated in numerous working and scientific meetings, received training in conceptual modeling and laser spectroscopy, and became familiar with the operating principles of various instruments used in the isotope hydrology laboratory. She also attended several events held as part of the IAEA’s 69th General Conference and provided support at the “Atoms for Water” scientific forum.

“It was a very important stage of my professional development and taught me a great deal. Developing the JAMS/J2000 water-balance hydrological model for Georgia was particularly significant for me, as it provides a foundation for future research. This internship has motivated me to continue learning and expanding my research, while also allowing me to contribute to the effective application of hydrological modeling using stable water isotopes in Georgia. The knowledge and experience I have gained will greatly support my future scientific career.

The practical skills I acquired in fieldwork, working with various instruments, processing data, and accessing alternative satellite datasets, together with the experience gained through my master’s research, will be invaluable for my future work. In addition, the broad interdisciplinary network of international colleagues, professional contacts, deeper understanding of isotope hydrology, and laboratory experience I gained during the internship will contribute to the conceptual model development and help define the direction of my future scientific research. I intend to share the knowledge and experience I have gained with colleagues and students at the faculty, as well as at local and international scientific conferences.”

– Elene Chikviladze, Master’s student