About
Chris Hecker is an Associate Professor in Thermal Infrared Sensing at the University of Twente's Department of Applied Earth Sciences and affiliated with the International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences (ITC). He holds a PhD in Remote Sensing of Earth Resources (2012, with distinction) and an MSc in Earth Sciences from the University of Basel.
His research focuses on thermal remote sensing for geothermal systems and critical raw materials, leveraging thermal infrared spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging. Key projects include leading the ECOSTRESS project for geothermal anomaly detection and the KenGen collaboration in Kenya. He is also the founder of ITC's thermal infrared spectroscopic facilities and chairs the European Special Interest Group on Thermal Remote Sensing.
Teaching involves advanced remote sensing courses and coordinating academic skills training for MSc students. Awards include NASA Science Team membership (2019-2022) and the Overijssel PhD award nomination (2013). His work contributes to UN SDGs related to affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) and climate action (SDG 13).
- Education:
- MSc Earth Sciences, University of Basel (1999)
- PhD Remote Sensing of Earth Resources, University of Twente (2012)
- Key Projects:
- ECOSTRESS NASA Science Team (2019-2022)
- KenGen Geothermal Collaboration (2019-2021)
- GEOCAP Indonesia-Netherlands Programme (2014-2019)
- Awards:
- PhD 'With Distinction' (2012)
- University of Twente Graduation Award (2015)
