Catherine Bertrand

Catherine Bertrand is a Professor at the University of Franche-Comté, affiliated with the Chrono-environnement laboratory (UMR 6249 CNRS/UFC). Her research focuses on heterogeneous aquifers, including karst systems and fractured metamorphic massifs, where she develops methodologies to analyze water flows (recharge, storage, residence times) and water-rock interactions. She leads interdisciplinary projects on slope instability, contaminant transport, and hydrogeological characterization in collaboration with institutions like ANDRA and agricultural agencies.

Research Interests: Dr. Bertrand's work spans hydrogeochemistry, fractured aquifer dynamics, landslide forecasting, and groundwater-surface water interactions. She employs in-situ measurements, AI-driven modeling, and geophysical techniques to study hydrological processes in sensitive environments like peatlands and alpine slopes.

Publications: Her recent articles emphasize landslide dynamics, karst hydrology, and climate impacts on freshwater systems. Trends include machine learning applications for hazard prediction, coupled hydrogeophysical monitoring, and CO₂ emissions from geological hotspots.

Students: She advises Olivier Béjean-Maillard on AI-driven landslide precursor detection.

Projects:

• Slope instability precursors using multi-parameter chronicles and AI
• Hydrogeological characterization of Barrois limestones with ANDRA
• Contaminant transfer in the Rémoray Lake Natural Reserve
• Drainage water infiltration feasibility in the Dombes region

Laboratories: She coordinates with GEODE and PEA²t research teams at Chrono-environnement.