Internship Spotlight: Deniz Shares Her Journey

“My name is Deniz Orta, and I am a senior undergraduate student majoring in Geophysical Engineering at Istanbul Technical University, Turkey. My academic interests lie in groundwater investigations and archaeological prospection. In pursuit of an internship opportunity under the Erasmus+ mobility program, I found Ghent University to be the ideal choice to broaden my scientific horizons. Driven by my keen interest in the work of Professor Thomas Hermans at the UGent Laboratory for Applied Geology and Hydrogeology (LTGH), I reached out to him.

During my internship, I delved into the topic of “Analyzing Data Error Propagation in Time-Lapse Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT).” My learning journey encompassed a diverse range of approaches, including conducting literature reviews, fieldwork experiences, as well as modeling and data processing steps. Witnessing the subsurface revelations enabled by geophysical ERT measurements was truly astounding.

Furthermore, I had the privilege of participating in archaeological prospection fieldwork in Serbia. A small team of three of us conducted geophysical ERT measurements, contributing to a deeper understanding of vertical stratigraphy and subsurface structures. As the days passed, our proficiency in measurements improved as we grew more accustomed to the field conditions and potential challenges. This fieldwork proved to be a valuable learning experience, enriching my knowledge.

I must express my gratitude to both Professor Thomas Hermans, Professor Philippe De Smedt, and their team, who extended a warm welcome and provided invaluable assistance throughout my internship. These opportunities allowed me to gain practical insights into my field of study, and I am confident that the experiences I have gathered will significantly benefit my future academic endeavors.”