Nominee at Institute of Hydrology SAS, Slovakia
Igor Leščešen is a highly qualified researcher with a PhD in Geosciences, specializing in hydrology and climate-related studies. He has extensive research experience at the Institute of Hydrology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, and previously at the University of Novi Sad. His participation in EU-funded projects, such as EXtremeClimTwin and CoolClimate, highlights his contributions to hydroclimatic risk assessment and climate education. He possesses strong technical skills in GIS, remote sensing, and data science, backed by international training. His multilingual proficiency facilitates global collaborations, and he has received prestigious fellowships from CEEPUS and the Slovak National Scholarship Programme. However, to further strengthen his candidacy for the Best Researcher Award, he could expand his publication record in high-impact journals, secure independent research grants, and take on leadership roles. Overall, his diverse expertise and international contributions make him a strong contender for the award, with room for further professional growth.
Professional Profile
Education
Igor Leščešen holds a PhD in Geosciences from the University of Novi Sad (2012–2019), where his doctoral research focused on the discharge regime of major rivers in the Carpathian Basin, highlighting his expertise in hydrology. He earned his Master’s degree in Geography (2011–2012) with a thesis on the limnological study of Vlasina Lake, achieving a high-grade point average of 9.53. Prior to that, he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Geography (2007–2011) with a GPA of 9.10, demonstrating consistent academic excellence. To further enhance his technical skills, he pursued specialized training in GIS, programming, and remote sensing, including courses from NASA ARSET and AM AI Academy. His educational background, combined with advanced coursework in data science and geospatial analysis, has equipped him with a strong foundation in climate and hydrological research, making him well-prepared for interdisciplinary scientific collaborations and innovative problem-solving in environmental sciences.
Professional Experience
Igor Leščešen has extensive professional experience in hydrology and climate research. Since 2024, he has been a researcher at the Institute of Hydrology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, where he focuses on hydroclimatic studies. Previously, from 2021 to 2024, he worked as a research associate at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, contributing to climate and hydrology research projects. From 2017 to 2021, he was an associate member of the Climatology and Hydrology Research Centre at the same university, where he gained valuable experience in river discharge analysis and environmental monitoring. His expertise extends to international collaborations, having worked on EU-funded projects such as EXtremeClimTwin and CoolClimate. Additionally, he has developed strong skills in GIS, remote sensing, and data science, further enhancing his research capabilities. His professional journey reflects a strong commitment to advancing hydrology, climate science, and environmental sustainability through research and innovation.
Research Interest
Igor Leščešen’s research interests lie at the intersection of hydrology, climatology, and environmental science, with a particular focus on hydroclimatic extremes, river discharge analysis, and climate change impacts. His PhD research examined the discharge regimes of major rivers in the Carpathian Basin, contributing valuable insights into water resource management. He is also deeply engaged in satellite remote sensing and GIS applications for flood monitoring and hydrological modeling. His participation in EU-funded projects, such as EXtremeClimTwin and CoolClimate, reflects his commitment to understanding and mitigating climate risks through data-driven approaches. Additionally, he is interested in advancing geospatial analysis techniques and machine learning applications in hydrology. Through interdisciplinary collaborations, he aims to develop innovative solutions for sustainable water management, climate resilience, and disaster risk assessment. His research is driven by a passion for integrating cutting-edge technologies to address global environmental challenges and improve decision-making in hydrology and climate science.
Award and Honor
Igor Leščešen has received several prestigious awards and honors in recognition of his academic excellence and research contributions. He was a recipient of the Central European Exchange Program for University Students (CEEPUS) scholarship in both 2013 and 2015, which allowed him to conduct research at the University of Ljubljana and Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. In 2014, he was awarded the National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic (NSP), enabling him to further his studies at the Institute of Hydrology, Slovak Academy of Sciences. These fellowships reflect his strong academic background, international research experience, and commitment to scientific advancement. His involvement in multiple EU-funded research projects has further enhanced his reputation as a dedicated and accomplished researcher in hydrology and climate science. These accolades underscore his potential as a leading expert in the field, positioning him as a strong candidate for further recognition and professional advancement.
Research Skill
Igor Leščešen possesses a diverse set of research skills, specializing in hydrology, climatology, and geospatial analysis. He is proficient in hydroclimatic modeling, river discharge analysis, and flood risk assessment, with a strong foundation in GIS and remote sensing technologies. His expertise includes ArcGIS, Web GIS, and Python for data science, which he has applied in various climate and environmental studies. He has also completed specialized training, such as NASA’s ARSET course on satellite remote sensing for flood monitoring, further strengthening his analytical capabilities. Additionally, he has experience working with large datasets, statistical modeling, and machine learning applications in hydrology. His involvement in EU-funded research projects has enhanced his ability to collaborate on interdisciplinary studies, integrating climate data with decision-making frameworks. With a strong technical background and a commitment to innovative research, he continues to develop new methodologies for understanding climate change impacts and sustainable water management.
Conclusion
Igor Leščešen is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his diverse research experience in hydrology, involvement in international projects, and technical expertise. However, enhancing his publication record, securing independent research funding, and taking on leadership roles could further solidify his candidacy. If he strengthens these areas, he would be a top contender for this award.
Publications Top Noted
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Title: Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) Networks for Accurate River Flow Forecasting: A Case Study on the Morava River Basin (Serbia)
Authors: Igor Leščešen, Mitra Tanhapour, Pavla Pekárová, Pavol Miklánek, Zbyněk Bajtek
Year: 2025
Citation: Water, DOI: 10.3390/w17060907
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Title: Streamflow Variability and Predictive Modeling in the Carpathian Basin: Assessing the Performance of Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Igor Leščešen, Pavla Pekárová, Pavol Miklánek, Zbyněk Bajtek
Year: 2025
Citation: Preprint, DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu25-8061
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Title: Hydrological Dynamics and Climate Variability in the Sava River Basin: Streamflow Reconstructions Using Tree-Ring-Based Paleo Proxies
Authors: Abel Andrés Ramírez Molina, Igor Leščešen, Glenn Tootle, Jiaqi Gong, Milan Josić
Year: 2025
Citation: Water, DOI: 10.3390/w17030417
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Title: What do they know? Is climate change education necessary in primary schools in Serbia
Authors: Igor Leščešen, Biljana Basarin, Miroslav Vujičić
Year: 2024
Citation: Geographica Pannonica, DOI: 10.5937/gp28-48045
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Title: Hydrological drought assessment of the Sava River basin in South-Eastern Europe
Authors: Igor Leščešen, Slobodan Gnjato, Ida Galinović, Biljana Basarin
Year: 2024
Citation: Journal of Water and Climate Change, DOI: 10.2166/wcc.2024.157
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Title: What is happening with frequency and occurrence of the maximum river discharges in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Authors: Slobodan Gnjato, Igor Leščešen, Biljana Basarin, Tatjana Popov
Year: 2024
Citation: Acta Geographica Slovenica, DOI: 10.3986/AGS.13461
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Title: Unveiling Torrential Flood Dynamics: A Comprehensive Study of Spatio-Temporal Patterns in the Šumadija Region, Serbia
Authors: Ana M. Petrović, Igor Leščešen, Ivan Radevski
Year: 2024
Citation: Water, DOI: 10.3390/w16070991
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Title: Are extreme floods on the Danube River becoming more frequent? A case study of Bratislava station
Authors: Igor Leščešen, Biljana Basarin, Dragoslav Pavić, Manfred Mudelsee, Pavla Pekarova, Minučer Mesaroš
Year: 2024
Citation: Journal of Water and Climate Change, DOI: 10.2166/wcc.2024.587
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Title: Changes in Annual and Seasonal Extreme Precipitation over Southeastern Europe
Authors: Igor Leščešen, Biljana Basarin, Zorica Podrascanin, Minučer Mesaroš
Year: 2023
Citation: Environmental Sciences Proceedings, DOI: 10.3390/environsciproc2023026048
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Title: Effects of changing atmospheric circulation patterns on waterlogging potential in Southeast Europe
Authors: Minučer Mesaroš, Dragoslav Pavić, Igor Leščešen
Year: 2023
Citation: Preprint, DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu23-14880
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Title: Is the flood occurrence rate decreasing in Southeast Europe?
Authors: Igor Leščešen, Biljana Basarin, Manfred Mudelsee, Robert L. Wilby
Year: 2023
Citation: Preprint, DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu23-6031
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Title: Assessing the impact of climate on annual and seasonal discharges at the Sremska Mitrovica station on the Sava River, Serbia
Authors: Igor Leščešen, Sraj M., Pantelic M., Dolinaj D.
Year: 2022
Citation: Water Supply, DOI: 10.2166/ws.2021.277
