Research Associate · optical metrology & fiber sensing
Helmut-Schmidt-Universität, Hamburg · Hamburg, Germany
I develop low-noise distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) systems that turn ordinary telecommunication fiber into dense seismic arrays. By combining laser interferometry with advanced array signal processing, I develop high-precision optical sensors capable of detecting and characterizing weak signals and revealing the underlying wavefields.
My research spans gravitational-wave science, seismology, environmental monitoring, and defense, with a focus on pushing the sensitivity of fiber-optic sensing beyond the capabilities of current commercial systems.
I work in the Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering at HSU under Prof. Katharina Isleif, on projects in optical metrology.
Before Hamburg I was on the PhD track in Electrical Engineering at Institut Polytechnique de Paris, with a research internship at iXblue (now Exail) characterising a highly sensitive optical seismometer for a Mars mission.
I hold an M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (Optical Networks and Photonic Systems) from Institut Polytechnique de Paris, an M.Sc. in Communication Engineering from the University of Parma, (optical communications and networks) and a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Kenyatta University.
I will present my work on distributed acoustic sensing for environmental and weather monitoring using existing fiber-optic infrastructure at the 2026 SSA Annual Meeting in Pasadena, California.
Deploying distributed acoustic sensing at LIGO Hanford Observatory for seismic monitoring, chamber vibration studies, and Rayleigh-wave characterisation toward Cosmic Explorer.
I will present my work on distributed acoustic sensing for environmental and Newtonian Noise Mitigation at the 2024 Einstein Telescope Annual Meeting in Opatija, Croatia.
25 papers, 332 citations
2026 · The Astrophysical Journal
2026 · Physical Review Letters
2026 · Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
2026 · Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
Telecom fiber as a wide-area environmental sensor
Monitoring seismic events, tides, thunderstorms and wind using deployed telecom fiber, toward DAS-based early-warning systems.
DAS arrays for noise cancellation in GW detectors
Using DAS arrays to cancel correlated ground motion in LIGO and the Einstein Telescope, with a focus on sensor placement, Wiener filtering, MVDR and machine-learning methods.