Francesco Bregoli

Francesco Bregoli is a researcher affiliated with IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, where he coordinates the River Morphodynamics Course and collaborates on projects involving river engineering, geomorphology, and water quality. His work combines field studies, computational modeling, and remote sensing techniques. Previously, he held postdoctoral positions at ICRA Girona and Radboud University, and obtained a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Barcelona, Spain). He has also worked in consultancy and research roles across Italy, Spain, Colombia, the Netherlands, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Bhutan.

• Education: MSc in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florence; PhD from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.

His research focuses on natural hazards (floods, landslides, debris flows, tsunamis) and human-induced challenges like pharmaceutical pollution exacerbated by population growth and climate change. He has contributed to five major EU Horizon 2020 projects, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to river systems and environmental sustainability. His work in Tanzania’s Mara Wetland highlights historical morphological changes and contemporary sediment management issues. Key tools include Delft3D software, GIS-based models like GLOBAL-FATE, and large-eddy simulations for studying river dynamics.

His publications from 2020–2025 reflect a sustained focus on river morphodynamics, sediment transport in vegetated channels, pharmaceutical pollution mitigation strategies, and climate adaptation in river ecosystems. Notable studies include modeling energy transfer from landslides to water bodies and analyzing ibuprofen exposure in European rivers using cost-effective methods.

• Scientific Awards: COFUND Marie-Curie Individual Fellowship.

In advising and grants, he has coordinated international research teams and leveraged EU funding to address global water challenges. His work bridges academic research with practical applications in environmental policy and engineering, particularly in developing regions. Collaborations span institutions like UNESCO-IHE, Radboud University, and ICRA Girona, though no specific lab affiliations are explicitly mentioned.

Research contributions include developing the TXT-tool for debris flow hazard assessment and advancing understanding of wetland dynamics through satellite image analysis. Current efforts prioritize river response to climate shifts and sustainable water management solutions.