Heidi Kreibich

Dr. Heidi Kreibich serves as Head of the working group "Flood risk and climate adaptation" at the Section Hydrology, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany, where she advances hydrological sciences through interdisciplinary research on human-water systems and flood risk management.

Her academic foundation includes:

• Master (German Diplom) in Environmental Engineering from Technical University Berlin
• PhD from Philipps-University of Marburg

Kreibich pioneered flood damage assessment methodologies, developing probabilistic multi-variable damage modeling for impact-based forecasting, establishing the cost assessment cycle for integrated risk management, and promoting paired event analysis. Her research bridges hydrological science with practical societal solutions for flood resilience and climate adaptation.

Her distinguished contributions were recognized with:

• 2024 Volker Medal (International Hydrology Prize) awarded by IAHS/UNESCO/WMO during the November 2024 Florianópolis meeting

As leader of the "Flood risk and climate adaptation" working group, she directs cutting-edge research addressing societal flood challenges while maintaining significant volunteer engagement with the International Association of Hydrological Sciences, demonstrating exceptional commitment to global hydrology advancement.