Abir Jemai

Abir Jemai did her master's degree in Basin Analysis and Reservoir Characterization at the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis and is currently enrolled as a Ph.D. student in collaboration with the Tunisian National Petroleum Company (ETAP). In this interview she talks about her motivation in the field of geoscience and gives insights in her current research projects she worked on during her 5 months stay at the UP.

Dear Abir, what motivated you to pursue a career in geoscience?

I was motivated to pursue a career in geoscience for various reasons. First, I have a passion for the earth. Since I was a child, I have had a deep love and fascination for the earth and its natural processes.Furthermore, I am naturally curious; I found that Geoscience could provide many opportunities for discovery and exploration. Besides, I was lucky enough to be born in Tunisia, that is a very rich country in geological resources such as phosphate deposits, hydrocarbons, minerals, geothermal resources, coastal geology and desert landscapes.Geoscience is also a very interdisciplinary subject; it integrates elements of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. As I am baccalaureate mathematics, I enjoy working in multiple disciplines and may find geoscience appealing. It is an intellectual challenge for me since Geoscience research involves tackling complex problems and applying scientific principles to real-world situations. This is the reason why I think people who thrive on intellectual challenges may find geoscience intellectually stimulating.Another important aspect for me is the desire to contribute to society. I think geoscientists often play a crucial role in understanding and mitigating natural hazards like earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, and hurricanes. Many of them are motivated by the opportunity to contribute to public safety and disaster preparedness; others follow paths of exploration and discovery in quest of solutions to some of society's most challenging problems.

That sounds indeed very interesting! How did your journey lead you to the University of Potsdam?

I previously achieved a master's degree in Basin Analysis and Reservoir Characterization at the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis and I am currently enrolled as a Ph.D. student in collaboration with the Tunisian National Petroleum Company (ETAP). I started searching for the opportunity to do an internship in the laboratory at the University of Potsdam. In particular, I would like to be trained at an advanced level in petrophysics including core study with a focus on reservoir facies and porosity and diagenesis process. An internship at ‘Sedimentology Research’ was and will be a momentous chance for me to achieve this goal and broaden my skills in the evaluation of reservoir petroleum potential. Furthermore, the majority of the research projects and the domain field of Prof. Dr. Maria Mutti match perfectly with my goals. I contacted her, and she accepted me for the internship. Then, I applied for a scholarship, which was submitted to the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education. Fortunately, I was lucky to be accepted by Prof. Dr. Maria Mutti and for the scholarship. Another lucky chance, I was granted a second scholarship from the Tunisian side and the UP Reconnect funding from the German side for this year.

As you mentioned, Prof. Dr. Maria Mutti is your host here at the University of Potsdam, tell us about how you two met!

I was very enthusiastic to contact Prof. Dr. Maria Mutti after reading her publications and her research field. I remember our first meeting was in her office in October 2022 in which we discussed our work plan. It was a very pleasant meeting and I remember how kind and friendly she was. 

What specific research collaborations or projects are you involved in during your time here? Can you share any preliminary findings or insights from your work so far?

I have the mission to carry out research work related to the preparation of my thesis entitled: «Sedimentological and petrophysical characterization and static modeling of Miocene reservoirs in the Gulf of Hammamet: Depositional environments and volumetric evaluation of hydrocarbons in place». This work will be in collaboration with my home university, The Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, the Tunisian National Petroleum Company (ETAP) and the University of Potsdam.

During this stay, I will perform the following work program: sedimentological characterization, depositional environments, facies typing, stratigraphic analysis; petrophysical characterization; static modeling, volumetric evaluation of hydrocarbons in place and finally comparison with other Miocene reservoirs in the Mediterranean. The main research project during my time here is to achieve the sedimentological, stratigraphic and petrophysical characterization of Miocene mixed clastic-carbonate systems (Malta and Tunisian Shelf). This work led to a conference at the MedGu (Mediterranean Union of Geosciences) which was held in Istanbul between 27^th and 30^th November 2023. Furthermore, this project will also lead to a scientific publication between both institutions. As I am working with Tunisian National Petroleum Company (ETAP) there is some confidentiality, especially in the volume of hydrocarbons in place in the studied area.

What were some of the challenges you faced as a young women in research and how did you overcome them?

As a woman in the field of scientific research, I have been subjected to some problems in my career concerning the lack of research means. I think that our university does not always support us in the good way. It should ameliorate the laboratories and give as more research grants. Young research women should be encouraged to apply and form groups with connections to be heard and have themselves recognized.

What are the advantages for you being in Potsdam for your work?

The University of Potsdam gives me several advantages for my work. First, there is an international research community. Potsdam is home to several prestigious research institutions, such as the GFZ, the German Research Centre for Geosciences. These institutions attract researchers and offer opportunities for collaboration. It can be very helpful for my work now and for the future Post-Doc for example. The University of Potsdam is known for its strong research programs in geosciences. It often collaborates with several institutions all over the world. The university is also equipped with modern laboratories and facilities, including advanced geosciences research equipment and instrumentation. These facilities support me well in achieving some analysis that cannot be done in Tunisia. I also appreciate the approach of the University of Potsdam, which promotes interdisciplinary research, allowing me to collaborate with experts from other fields. This approach can lead to innovative solutions to complex geoscience problems. I remember last year I worked with Apl. Prof. Dr. Uwe Altenberger and Dr. Christina Günter and they were very helpful. Furthermore, Potsdam offers various research funding opportunities for geoscientists, for example, the Alumni Program grant that I obtained supports me to do my research. The UP has a diverse international student population. For example, in the sedimentology research group, there is a multicultural environment with different countries all over the world which I can benefit from. Especially Dr. Sven Maerz was supportive and I learned from him very much. The same applies for Dr. Benjamin Rendall, Dr. Timothy Tella, MSc. Ahmed Tawfik and MSc. Wafaa Altyeb.

How has your experience studying geoscience in Tunisia influenced your perspective on global environmental issues?

During my study in Tunisia and thanks to many projects and courses, I realized the importance of global environmental issues. The most important ideas highlighted are the climate change, resource management and environmental conservation. In Tunisia, we often study the climate change phenomena, its causes and its impacts. Through several researches, geoscientists become acutely aware of the pressing global issue of climate change and the need for adaptation strategies. Through other courses, especially ‘The Geo-Resources in Tunisia’, I am aware that geoscientists play a critical role in the importance of sustainable resource management to address global issues related to resource depletion and environmental degradation. I also worked on a mini project related to environmental conservation and the preservation of landscapes. In summary, studying geoscience can broaden one’s perspective on global environmental issues by providing a deep understanding of earth’s systems, highlighting the urgency of addressing climate change and emphasizing the importance of responsible resource management and environmental conservation. Geoscientists are often at the forefront of addressing these critical challenges that impact our planet.

You are just at the beginning of your academic career. How do you envision your scientific future and career trajectory in the field of geoscience, and what are some of your long-term goals or aspirations?

First of all the focus on research. In the field of petrophysics and sedimentology, I want to specialize in sedimentary basin analysis, reservoir characterization and surface and subsurface modeling. I mainly focus on Tunisia and Malta. In the future, I want to expand on the study area and work on the whole Mediterranean. I think this zone has not been treated well from a sedimentological and petrophysical point of view. I also want to engage in research and publish my findings in peer-reviewed journals. This contributes to the scientific community's understanding of advances in petrophysics or sedimentology. I may advance to good positions, such as a researcher of the research team which may take on greater responsibilities in project planning, data analysis, and decision-making.

It’s also my goal to collaborate with colleagues and institutions worldwide contributing to international research projects and gaining a global perspective on geosciences phenomenon. 

What have been the highlights or memorable experiences of your time at the University of Potsdam so far?

In the University of Potsdam, I only kept, keep and I will keep the good memories. The general environment is suitable for work; the people are very friendly and kind. I want to express my memorable experiences in my own way by using words: joyful, unforgettable, inspiring, enriching, proud, collaborative, explorative, formative, comradely and diverse.

What advice would you give to other international researchers who are considering a short-term visit with UP Reconnect to the University of Potsdam?

If you are an international researcher considering a short-term visit with UP Reconnect to the University of Potsdam, it is crucial to plan your visit carefully, to make the most of your experience and time. Be aware that that UP Reconnect and the University of Potsdam are there to support your visit and research endeavours. So, be proactive, well prepared and open to new experiences and then you can have a productive and enriching research visit in Potsdam.

Thank you for the interesting interview and we wish you all the best for the future!