Dr. MARIJA ZLATA BOŽNAR: Co-mentored theses - specialization in the Faculty of Medicine A profound knowledge about micro-meteorological conditions in the planetary boundary layer above complex terrain is the foundation for predicting solar energy availability. At the same time, this knowledge is also useful in other fields that require a detailed meteorological data input (e.g. everything connected with spreading air pollution). In 2013, we combined that knowledge successfully in the research carried out by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ljubljana in the field of establishing a connection between air pollution and respiratory diseases in children. A project team member is a co-mentor for a graduation thesis at the graduate specialization programme in the field of public health being written by Andreja Kukec. We are also working mentors for a doctoral thesis from a similar field. The topic also served as the focus for a joint publication at the international conference in Belgrade: KUKEC, Andreja, FARKAŠ-LAINŠČAK, Jerneja, BOŽNAR, Marija, MLAKAR, Primož, GRAŠIČ, Boštjan, ZALETEL-KRAGELJ, Lijana, ERŽEN, Ivan. Modelling outdoor air pollutionh in Zasavje - preparation of small area units. V: Prvog međunarodnog kongresa higijene i preventivne medicine, Beograd, 22-24. maj 2013. BELOJEVIĆ, Goran (ur.). Zbornik radova : prvog međunarodnog kongresa higijene i preventivne medicine, Beograd, 22-24. maj 2013 = Proceedings : of the First International Congress on Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Belgrade, 22-24 May 2013. Beograd: Srpsko lekarsko društvo = Serbian Medical Society, 2013, str. 36. [COBISS.SI-ID 30652377]
D.09 Tutoring for postgraduate students
COBISS.SI-ID: 30624217Our research within this project has resulted in detailed predictions of micro-meteorological characteristics of the planetary boundary layer above a complex terrain. The predictions are also highly valuable because they have been successfully validated by means of measurements. All of this has served as the foundation for the establishment of a broader cooperation between MEIS and the Department for Public Health of the Ljubljana Faculty of Medicine as well as the Ljubljana Institute of Oncology. The first topic focuses on respiratory diseases (where there is the aforementioned joint publication with the aforementioned teams at the conference in Slovenia, as well as two articles that have already been approved by two international journals and will be published in 2014). We are also already developing methodologies for studying local dependency on the solar radiation impact on skin cancers in cooperation with the Institute of Oncology.
F.18 Transfer of new know-how to direct users (seminars, fora, conferences)
COBISS.SI-ID: 30863577Solar energy availability defined in high geographical and temporal resolution is also useful for modelling the possible air pollution spreading from nuclear facilities since this determines the atmospheric air pollution reduction capabilities. In this field, the work by MEIS researchers has been recognized worldwide. One of the reasons is our collaboration in the multi-year IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) MODARIA programme. Within the MODARIA programme, we study the requirements of the air pollution spreading models for complex areas. The quality of the models (e.g. demonstrated by means of their successful validation based on suitable measurement data) is crucial when we are talking about protection in case of a radiological disaster. The turbulent nature of the atmosphere above complex terrain (largely determined by the solar radiation during the day) itself is crucial for an accurate forecast of the aftermath of a disaster. A huge acknowledgement of our work in our field is the fact that the MODARIA programme recognizes that teams from all over the world validate their models on highly demanding meteorological conditions in the vicinity of Šoštanj in Slovenia, which was proposed by MEIS researchers. We have already had several invited lectures within the MODARIA programme (by IAEA) about the demanding nature of those meteorological conditions, data and suitable methods. Our achievements are also stated in the official MODARIA reports.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 27398183