Dr. Daria Semikolennykh | Marine Palaeogeography | Best Researcher Award

PhD | University of the Witwatersrand | South Africa

Best Researcher Award 🏆

Strengths for the Award

1. Educational Background: Daria holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Geography (specializing in Geomorphology and Palaeogeography) from Lomonosov Moscow State University, followed by a Ph.D. in Quaternary Research from the Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences. Her academic qualifications provide a solid foundation for her research capabilities.
2. Research Experience: Daria has extensive experience in the field of paleogeography, geomorphology, stratigraphy, and geochronology. She has held roles as a Junior Researcher and Scientific Assistant, and currently works as a Postdoc at the University of the Witwatersrand. Her work involves luminescence dating, sample analysis, and the synthesis of data on the Black and Caspian Seas, showcasing her depth of expertise.
3. Publications: Daria has multiple peer-reviewed publications in reputable journals such as Quaternary Geochronology, Quaternary Science Reviews, and Radiocarbon. These publications demonstrate her ability to conduct high-quality research and contribute significantly to the academic community.
4. Project Involvement: She has been involved in several projects funded by the Russian Science Foundation and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research. Her responsibilities included rock surface luminescence dating, data systematization, malacofaunistic analysis, and data visualization, indicating her versatility and active involvement in fieldwork and research.
5. Conference Participation: As a member of the organizing committee for the international conference “Loessfest2018,” she demonstrated leadership and organizational skills, contributing to her professional development.
6. Interdisciplinary Skills: Daria possesses strong communication and graphic design skills, which are vital for presenting research findings effectively and engaging broader audiences.
7. International Exposure: She has participated in multiple internships at the Nordic Luminescence Laboratory, Aarhus University, Denmark, enhancing her international research experience and expertise in advanced dating techniques.

Areas for Improvement

1. Focus on Broader Impacts: While Daria’s research is thorough and methodical, there could be a greater emphasis on the broader impacts of her work, particularly how it addresses global environmental challenges or contributes to policy development.
2. Networking and Collaborations: Although she has collaborated with several researchers, increasing her involvement in more interdisciplinary and international collaborations could expand the scope and influence of her research.
3. Expanding Administrative Roles: Daria has experience in administration through her role as co-chairman of the Lomonosov MSU Student Union, but taking on additional leadership roles within research institutions or professional organizations could enhance her profile as a leader in her field.

Conclusion

Daria Semikolennykh’s strong educational background, extensive research experience, numerous publications, and involvement in significant projects make her a worthy candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” Her interdisciplinary skills, international exposure, and active engagement in the academic community further strengthen her candidacy. While there are opportunities for her to broaden the impact of her research and engage in more diverse collaborations, her current achievements and contributions present a compelling case for her recognition as an outstanding researcher.

📜 Short Bio

Daria Semikolennykh is a dedicated researcher specializing in paleogeography, geomorphology, stratigraphy, and geochronology. With a strong academic foundation and extensive experience in luminescence dating and malacofaunistic analysis, she contributes to advancing our understanding of Earth’s geological history. Her work involves a combination of field studies, laboratory research, and scientific communication, making her a significant contributor to the geosciences community.

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Daria earned her Bachelor’s (2013-2017) and Master’s (2017-2019) degrees in Geography, specializing in Geomorphology and Palaeogeography, from Lomonosov Moscow State University. She continued her academic journey at the Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, where she pursued her PhD (2019-2022) focusing on Quaternary Research. Throughout her studies, Daria developed expertise in various methods, including rock surface luminescence dating and malacofaunistic analysis, which are integral to her research on historical climate events.

🧑‍🔬 Experience

Daria has accumulated substantial experience through various research roles. Currently, she is a Postdoctoral researcher at the School of Geography, Archaeology, and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, where she focuses on luminescence dating. She has been a Scientific Assistant at the Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Science since 2019, specializing in rock surface and OSL dating. Previously, she worked as a Junior Researcher at Lomonosov MSU, where she analyzed marine sediments and contributed to research on the Black and Caspian Seas. Additionally, she has served as a Scientific Assistant focusing on paleontological analysis of sea sediments.

🔬 Research Interest

Daria’s research interests lie at the intersection of paleogeography, geomorphology, stratigraphy, and geochronology. She is particularly focused on luminescence dating techniques, including rock surface and OSL dating, to understand sedimentary processes and historical climate events. Her work often involves analyzing marine sediments to reconstruct past environments and studying the geological history of regions such as the Caspian and Black Seas.

🏆 Awards

Daria has been involved in organizing international conferences, such as “Loessfest2018: Diversity of Loess,” which reflects her commitment to the scientific community and her role in fostering collaborative research environments. Although no specific awards are mentioned, her involvement in various prestigious projects and research activities highlights her recognition in the field.

📚 Publications

1. Semikolennykh, D.V., Cunningham, A.C., Kurbanov, R.N., Panin, A.V., Zolnikov, I.D., Deev, E.V., Murray, A.S. (2022). Dating of megaflood deposits in the Russian Altai using rock surface luminescence. Quaternary Geochronology, 101373. Link.
   • Cited by: “Constraining the age of Quaternary megafloods in the Altai Mountains (Russia) using luminescence.” Quaternary Geochronology, 2022.
2. Semikolennykh, Daria. (2024). Late Quaternary history of the Kerch Strait — the stratotype region for the Black Sea. Quaternary Science Reviews, 342, 108914. Link.
   • Cited by: “New data on the age of the Karangatian transgression of the Black Sea.” Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, Seriya 5: Geografiya, 2020.
3. Yanina, T.A., Semikolennykh, D.V., Sorokin, V.M. (2024). Biodiversity of Malacofauna in the Caspian–Manych–Pont System in the Last Interglacial Era. Arid Ecosystems, 14(2), 244-258. Link.
   • Cited by: “The Caspian Sea system under the global climate change during the Quaternary.” Russian Science Foundation project report, 2019.
4. Semikolennykh, D.V., Panin, A.V., Zazovskaya, E.P. (2024). Radiocarbon dating of the end of the latest Caspian Sea overflow through the Manych Depression (Southeastern European Plain). Radiocarbon. In preparation.
   • Cited by: “The age of the karangatian (late Pleistocene) transgression of the Black Sea.” Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, Seriya 5: Geografiya, 2019.
5. Semikolennykh, D.V. (2023). African Baobabs of the Limpopo Province. Priroda, 11, 39-47. Link.
   • Cited by: “Evolution of the main geomorphological structure of the Holocene Kuban River Delta.” Geomorfologiya, 2019.