The annual meeting of the German Geophysical Society (DGG) is the key conference for the German geophysical community. As a final year PhD student, I presented my work on using ground penetrating radar to investigate the small-scale features of the soil-plant continuum to a broader audience. The conference was pivotal in showcasing the potential of applied geophysics as a valuable tool in precision agriculture and exploring potential collaborations for future research projects. I attended a variety of interesting sessions, which demonstrated the broad range of geophysical research fields. During the poster session, I engaged in discussions with several researchers, exploring new approaches for my own research. The conference provided a platform for interaction with renowned researchers, who shared their insights and helped me to further refine my future path as a successful scientist. In addition to academia, several prominent applied geophysics companies were represented, covering areas from mining, environmental engineering and bomb detection. Talking to their employers highlighted the steps required to make my research accessible to the agricultural industry. I also learned about the possibilities and limitations of using AI for geophysical data during a social event. I would like to thank the GSGS for funding my travel, which allowed me to present my work to the German geophysical community and to discuss my research with important people who gave me valuable insights. The contacts I explored and the discussions I had helped to better shape my future in academia.

Sophia Schiebel
PhD student
Institute of Bio- and Geoscience: Agrosphere (IBG-3)
PhD project: “SoilRootRadar” 
Presentation title (Oral): Using crosshole GPR to monitor the impact of maize roots and nitrate fertilizer on the soil-plant continuum