Reception of the Visiting Research Fellow (HUNKELER, Daniel)

Name：HUNKELER, Daniel
Period： September 22, 2025 ~ December 12, 2025
Affiliation：Full Professor, University of Neuchâtel
Research Topic：Groundwater’s Evolving Role: Re-conceptualizing Its Place in Society

Dr. HUNKELER, Daniel is a Full Professor in Hydrogeology at the Centre for Hydrogeology and Geothermics (CHYN) of the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland). He is trained as an environmental scientist with a broad interdisciplinary background in hydro(geo)logical and biogeochemical processes across diverse environmental compartments. His research focuses on the role of soil–groundwater and groundwater–surface water interactions in regulating water quantity and the fluxes of both natural and anthropogenic compounds, including emerging contaminants and greenhouse gases. He is also strongly committed to developing integrated management strategies that minimize trade-offs, generate co-benefits across competing demands, and support capacity building to ensure their effective implementation.

During his stay, he will discuss the evolving role of groundwater in society in the context of global change with Professor Makoto Taniguchi and RIHNmembers. He will actively interact with people related to the co-creation of knowledge and novel inter- and transdisciplinary research approaches through tours of research groups, interviews and presentations.