Maria Chizhova

Maria Chizhova is an Assistant Professor in Digital Technologies in Heritage Conservation at the University of Bamberg's Centre for Heritage Conservation Studies and Technologies (KDWT). She holds a Dr.-Ing. degree from Technical University of Munich and has a Dipl. Eng. in Surveying from State Academy of Agriculture in Ivanovo.

• Doctorate: 2014-2019, Technical University of Munich (Civil, Geo and Environmental Engineering)
• Diploma: 2006-2011, State Agricultural Academy in Ivanovo

Her research focuses on 3D digitalization, photogrammetry, laser scanning, and AI applications for heritage conservation. Key projects include VRScan3D (virtual laser scanner simulator), GeoRek (geodetic methods in Ukraine), and VirScan3D (3D reconstruction of historical objects). She has developed automated systems for timber structure analysis and orthodoxy church reconstruction.

Recent publications show expertise in 3D simulation, point cloud segmentation, and multi-sensor integration. She has held research fellowships at Technical University of Warsaw, Fondazione Bruno Kessler (Italy), Carleton University (Canada), and Michigan Tech University (USA).

• DAAD-funded VRScan3D project (2019-2021)
• Research on Jewish cemeteries in Franconia
• Developed methodologies for historic timber analysis

Her work combines machine learning, Bayesian networks, and cellular automata for heritage documentation, with applications in digital twins and mixed reality environments.