Professor, Department: Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering, Northumbria University, NewCastle, UK
Website: Solar GSM
Graduated with first class with distinction degree in Applied Math from Kiev National University, Kiev, Ukraine (1975); did PhD in Astrophysics ‘Radiative transfer of solar prominences’ at Main Astronomical Observatory, Kiev, Ukraine, viva in 1984. Worked as Researcher/Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer at KNU (1975-1994). In 1992 moved to Glasgow University, UK as Senior Research Fellow to investigate energetic particles in solar flares. Discovered sunquakes induced by flaring processes, published a paper in Nature, 1998 with wide media coverage. In 2000 moved to Bradford University as Lecturer, then Reader (2002) and Professor of Applied Mathematics (2005). Joined Northumbria University in September 2013 as Professor of Mathematics. Taught the key Maths and Physics modules. Published more then 200 papers, from which 3 papers in Nature group journals (during work at NU), one of the papers was predicting the modern Grand Solar Minimum (2020-2053). Published a monograph on particle kinetics, was an Editor a book on automated recognition and classification of digital images and the RHESSI book on high energy particles. Also published 18 chapters in other books. Received funding from European Commission, EPSRC, STFC, the Royal society, the RAS and US Airforce. At NU was the MPEE department Lead in international affairs (2014-2016) and in Equality and Diversity (2018-2020).
AWARDS
SOHO/MDO team award for discovery of sunquake (1999), RHESSI award for outstanding research (2005), NSF US award for advanced studies of solar flares (2002)
Dr. Valentina Zharkova is a member of London Mathematical Society (LMS), European Mathematical Society (EMS), European Physics Society (EPS), Fellow of Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), International Astronomical Union (IAU) and COSPAR (Committee on Space Research).
She is the author of: “Electron and Proton Kinetics and Dynamics in Flaring Atmospheres” available on Amazon dot com at: https://www.amazon.com/Electron-Kinetics-Dynamics-Flaring-Atmospheres/dp/3527408479
Dr. Zharkova’s complete biographical information and list of important papers, etc., may be found at: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/our-staff/z/valentina-zharkova/