Dr. christine Amory-Mazaudier, LPP Sorbonne Universités, France
Christine Amory-Mazaudier is a distinguished French geophysicist and space physicist affiliated with Sorbonne University, École Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, and the Laboratoire de Physique des Plasmas (CNRS). With a career spanning over four decades, she has pioneered research in ionospheric electrodynamics, Earth-Sun interactions, and space weather, particularly in collaboration with African nations. Passionate about science for development, she has led numerous international research projects, built GPS networks across Africa, and founded the GIRGEA initiative. She has authored over 160 peer-reviewed articles and supervised 56 PhD theses. Christine has also played an instrumental role in United Nations space weather initiatives and is a member of multiple international scientific committees. A strong advocate for capacity building in the Global South, she bridges science and policy to promote global scientific equity and excellence.
Publication Profile
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Education
Christine Amory-Mazaudier holds an exceptional academic portfolio from prestigious French institutions. She earned her Diploma in Theoretical Physics (1972) from Paris VII, and in the same year obtained a Diploma in Programming (M2) from Paris VI. In 1973, she completed a DEA in External Geophysics at Paris VI, followed by a PhD in Geophysics (1974) and later a Doctorate of State in Physical Sciences (1983) from Paris VI. Complementing her scientific expertise, she also acquired a DESS in General Management (1979) and a Certificate of Aptitude to the Management of Companies from Paris I, showcasing her interdisciplinary skills in both science and administration. Her educational foundation laid the groundwork for a career devoted to atmospheric, ionospheric, and geophysical sciences, and her commitment to lifelong learning is evident in her continued roles in scientific education, doctoral school leadership, and historical research on science and geophysics.
Experience
Christine Amory-Mazaudier began her career in education (1971–1975) before transitioning to research at the French Commission for Atomic Energy (1976–1978). She served as a researcher at CNRS (1978–2014) and currently acts as Senior Scientist at LPP, Sorbonne University (since 2014). Her international roles include visiting professorships in Nigeria, associate researcher at ICTP (Trieste), and staff associate with ICTP/UNESCO (2014–2020). She is a recognized expert for the UN ICG-GNSS/Space Weather group since 2013. A key figure in space science collaborations with Africa, she led GPS infrastructure development, scientific capacity-building initiatives, and doctoral schools across the Global South. Christine coordinated the GIRGEA laboratory, organized data repositories, and served on steering committees of the IHY and ISWI projects. Her work spans science, policy, and education—impacting both hemispheres through transcontinental knowledge exchange and international project management.
Awards and Honors
Christine Amory-Mazaudier’s illustrious contributions have earned her numerous international accolades. She was listed in Who’s Who in the World (1996) and received two Certificates of Merit (2007) from AGU/IUGG and IHY-Africa for her pivotal work in space sciences in Africa. In 2014, she was named a Fellow of the Nigerian Geophysical Society and later a Fellow of the African Geophysical Society (2015). She received the Marcel Nicolet Medal (2015) for her impact on space weather science. Additional honors include the Campaign Medal from the Vietnam Academy of Science (2017) and the Excellence Prize for Research Development in Space Sciences (2020, Nigeria). In 2022, she received the Certificate of Appreciation (Nepal Physical Society) and the prestigious Vikram Sarabhai COSPAR/ISRO Medal (2022, Athens). Her honors reflect her global influence and commitment to the advancement of geophysics, science diplomacy, and cross-continental collaboration.
Research Focus
Christine Amory-Mazaudier’s research spans ionospheric thermodynamics, atmospheric boundary dynamics, Earth’s magnetic field, and Sun-Earth relations, with a core focus on space weather. Her early work involved studying acoustic waves from nuclear activity and later evolved into ionospheric electrodynamics and magnetospheric physics. Since 1990, she has led investigations into the geomagnetic field, its historical evolution, and its interaction with solar activities. Deeply committed to science for development, Christine established the GIRGEA network, enabling international collaborations and data sharing across Europe and Africa. She plays a pivotal role in UN-backed global space weather initiatives, organizing doctoral schools, promoting scientific literacy, and managing a GPS network in Africa for geophysical studies. Her interdisciplinary approach blends physics, atmospheric science, and scientific history, offering both practical applications and theoretical advancements in understanding geospace environments and their implications for modern technological systems.
Publication Top Notes
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📄 Thermodynamics of the Ionosphere (1973–1975)
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📄 Detection of Acoustic Waves from Underground Nuclear Tests (1976–1977)
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📄 Electrodynamics of the Ionosphere (1978–1990)
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📄 Dynamics of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer (1984–1993)
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📄 Earth’s Magnetic Field and Historical Geophysics (Since 1990)
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📄 Sun-Earth Relations and Space Weather Research (Since 1993)
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📘 Science for Development – Editions L’Harmattan, 2012
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📘 Space Meteorology in Africa in the Footsteps of Jean-Pierre Legrand in Burkina Faso – Editions L’Harmattan, 2022