Miss. Bhawna Pathak: PhD scholar at Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, India
Bhawna Pathak is a PhD researcher at IIT Mandi specializing in glacial lake dynamics and the Himalayan cryosphere. She has extensive experience in geospatial analysis, satellite image interpretation, and environmental monitoring, with proficiency in Python, QGIS, ArcGIS, and Google Earth Engine. Her research combines field-based observations with advanced remote sensing techniques to understand glacier-lake evolution, cryospheric changes, and climate-related hazards. She is passionate about applying scientific insights to support sustainable environmental management and disaster mitigation in high-altitude Himalayan regions.
Online Profiles
Bhawna Pathak’s research work has been cited 33 times since 2020, reflecting the growing recognition of her contributions to glacial lake dynamics and Himalayan cryosphere studies. She currently has an h-index of 1 and an i10-index of 1, highlighting her published work’s emerging influence in the fields of remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and environmental monitoring.
Education
Bhawna is currently pursuing a PhD in Glacial Lake Dynamics at IIT Mandi (2024–Present) under the guidance of Dr. Dericks P. Shukla, with a CGPA of 9.31. She completed her M.Sc. in Remote Sensing & GIS from SSJ Campus, Almora (2020–2022) with 83%, where she developed strong technical skills in satellite image analysis and geospatial modeling. She holds a B.Sc. in Geology, Mathematics, and Physics from DSB Campus, Nainital (2017–2020) with 69%, providing her with a strong foundation in Earth sciences. Additionally, she qualified GATE GE 2023 with an All India Rank of 337 and a score of 362, reflecting her aptitude in geospatial and environmental engineering concepts.
Research Focus
Her research focuses on understanding the dynamics of glacial lakes and the broader Himalayan cryosphere in the context of climate change. She employs multi-source satellite data, machine learning, and advanced geospatial techniques to monitor glacier mass balance, lake expansion, and associated environmental risks. Her work aims to provide actionable insights for policymakers, disaster management authorities, and environmental conservation initiatives. She is particularly interested in integrating remote sensing with field observations to enhance the accuracy of cryospheric monitoring and modeling in high-altitude regions.
Experience
Bhawna has a rich research and professional experience portfolio. As a Project Scientist at Arunachal Pradesh Space Application Centre, she contributed to digitizing state-wide spatial and non-spatial datasets for government infrastructure development. As a Junior Project Fellow at GBPNIHE, she assessed climate vulnerability in local communities and documented traditional climate-smart practices. She also worked as a Freelance GIS Analyst for wildlife conservation projects, creating and analyzing spatial maps to support biodiversity management. During her Research Internship at IIT Roorkee, she analyzed glacier mass balance datasets and assessed the accuracy of satellite-derived observations. Across all roles, she has leveraged tools such as QGIS, ArcGIS, Python, and Google Earth Engine to solve real-world environmental and geospatial challenges.
Research Timeline & Activities
Bhawna’s research journey started with her undergraduate studies in geology, followed by specialized training in remote sensing and GIS during her M.Sc.. In 2022, she interned at IIT Roorkee to evaluate satellite-based glacier mass balance datasets. In 2023, she contributed to climate vulnerability studies at GBPNIHE and GIS-based wildlife conservation mapping. Later in 2023–24, she served as a Project Scientist digitizing Arunachal Pradesh’s spatial data. Since 2024, her PhD research at IIT Mandi focuses on glacial lake dynamics, integrating satellite time-series analysis, machine learning, and field validation to track cryospheric changes. She actively participates in workshops and advanced training programs on geospatial technology, glacier monitoring, and climate change adaptation.
Awards & Honors
Bhawna’s notable achievements include qualifying GATE GE 2023 with an All India Rank of 337, recognition for her contributions to climate-smart community assessments and GIS-based wildlife conservation, and participation in international and national workshops on geospatial data analysis, GeoAI, and water resource management. She has also received academic accolades for her research publications and her contributions to advancing cryospheric monitoring in the Himalaya.
Top Noted Publication
Sarkar, M.S., Majhi, B.K., Pathak, B., et al. Ensembling machine learning models to identify forest fire-susceptible zones in Northeast India. Ecological Informatics, 81, 102598 (2024). Cited 33 times.
Pathak, B., Singh, A., Tiwari, R.K., Shukla, D.P. Automated mapping of glacial lakes in Himachal Pradesh using multisource remote sensing data and machine learning. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 36619 (2025).
Rajkhowa, R., Pathak, B., Biswas, T. Review of Structural Mitigation Techniques for Landslide Risk Reduction: Insights for Arunachal Pradesh. In: Landslides in the Himalayan Region: Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategy (2024).
These publications reflect her expertise in remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and environmental risk assessment, with practical applications in climate change, disaster mitigation, and natural resource management.
strengths for a “Young Researcher Award” :
1. Advanced Expertise in Geospatial Analysis and Remote Sensing
Bhawna demonstrates strong proficiency in Python, QGIS, ArcGIS, SNAP, ENVI, and Google Earth Engine, enabling her to process, analyze, and visualize complex spatial datasets. Her technical skills allow her to address high-altitude Himalayan environmental challenges effectively.
2. Innovative Research in Cryosphere and Glacial Lake Dynamics
Her PhD research focuses on glacial lake evolution and Himalayan cryosphere monitoring, integrating satellite data, field observations, and machine learning. This innovative approach contributes significantly to understanding climate change impacts in sensitive mountainous regions.
3. Proven Research Productivity and Scholarly Impact
Bhawna has multiple peer-reviewed publications, including in Scientific Reports and Ecological Informatics, with her work cited 33 times since 2020. Her contributions demonstrate emerging influence in environmental monitoring and geospatial research.
4. Interdisciplinary and Applied Approach
She combines geology, remote sensing, GIS, and climate studies to address practical problems, such as glacier hazards, forest fire susceptibility, and landslide risk mitigation. Her research informs policy decisions, disaster management, and conservation initiatives, highlighting its real-world relevance.
5. Commitment to Capacity Building and Collaborative Research
Bhawna has actively participated in workshops, international training programs, and collaborative projects, supporting knowledge sharing in geospatial technology, glacier monitoring, and climate adaptation. Her engagement reflects leadership potential and commitment to advancing the research community.