Gino Cofone
Technologist
Dr. Gino Cofone obtained his Degree in Geological Sciences, specializing in Environmental/Territorial Geology, in 2007 from the University of Calabria. Since 2022, he has been serving as a Technologist at the Rende (Cosenza) Branch of the Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection (IRPI) of the National Research Council (CNR).
The core of his research and technological development activity focuses on landslide mapping and the subsequent population of databases through advanced GIS processing, combined with geological-structural and geomorphological field surveys. Particular attention is paid to interdisciplinary topics, such as the analysis and assessment of landslide susceptibility, hazard, and risk, studied at different spatial scales, from wide areas to detailed scales.
Throughout his career, Dr. Cofone has held prominent roles in numerous national and European research projects. He actively participates in the “INVENTA” project, resulting from an agreement with the Southern Apennines District Basin Authority (Autorità di Bacino Distrettuale dell’Appennino Meridionale), where he serves as the Lead for database integration and coordination activities aimed at compiling the landslide inventory and risk management. He is also involved in the NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) “Tech4You” project, working within Spoke 1 on innovative methods and technologies for geo-hydrological risk prevention.
In parallel, within the “PRIN 2022 – SOIL SHADES” project, funded by the European Union, he is responsible for database implementation and management activities, focusing on pedological characteristics as predisposing factors for shallow landslides. He also provides cartographic support and collaborates on the GIS management of the geomorphological database for the “RIGEQUA” project, regarding the survey of the “Catanzaro” geological sheet (CARG Project – Italian Geological Cartography Project). In the past, he also collaborated on the “TIPIZZAN” and “MEFISTO” projects, dealing with the processing of multi-frequency SAR data for instability monitoring.
Dr. Cofone’s scientific commitment is reflected in a consistent production of articles in indexed international journals (Scopus and WOS) and conference proceedings. In 2024, his research activity was recognized with the “Springer Award for Outstanding Paper” during the 6th Euro-Mediterranean Conference for Environmental Integration (EMCEI), for the best scientific paper regarding the calibration of models for landslide susceptibility mapping in Calabria.
To support field surveys, in September 2024 he obtained the “Remote Pilot Certificate of Competency” for categories A1, A2, and A3, qualifying him for the professional use of drones (UAVs) for environmental monitoring. His professional profile is constantly updated through participation in specific training courses, ranging from workplace safety to the use of statistical programming languages, up to the use of geophysical instrumentation and regulatory updates regarding public contracts.