Natalia-Evangelia Blana

Surveyor Engineer & Ph.D. Candidate

at Laboratory of Cartography of the Department of Topography, School of Rural & Surveying Engineering, National Technical University of Athens.

- Member of Technical Chamber of Greece/id-number: 96273 (2003)

- Holder of a license (registration number 24800-A' class degree) of the Greek ministry of environment and energy.

Personal information

- Date of birth: 1976, October 12

- Family status: Married, 1 child

Contact information

-Office Address: 6, Andromachis and K. Palaiologou streets, post code 17563, Palaio Faliro-Athens, Greece

- Home Address: Aiolou street, no 27, post code 17561, Palaio Faliro-Athens, Greece

- Work phone number: 0030-210-***-****/ Home phone number: 0030-210-***-****

- Cell phone: 003***********/ Email: ac4ti8@r.postjobfree.com

Motivation:

The reason of which I am applying for this position except for my strong will for growth in the era of Cartography, GIS Analysis and data analysis and my constant efforts to expand my skills as an expert, it is my belief that I could be suitable for this position as I have 6 recent years (since 2011) of experience in GIS analysis as professional (especially in DEM construction/correction and hydrologic analysis-ArcHydro Tools, HEC-GEOHMS, HEC-GEORAS), in Cartography as researcher (ARCGIS: Geostatistics/Interpolations, Spatial Analysis, Statistics, basic knowledge of R language and python modules Numpy and Sklearn for clustering) and batch processing by using python language in ESRI's (ArcGIS/arcpy module) environment mainly but not only. Skills that I gained mostly as a Ph.D. Candidate in Cartography (since 2011-still in progress) in School of Rural & Surveying Engineering (National Technical University of Athens) and through my involvement in my last job in the project of 'Flood Risk Management Plans- Water districts of Central and Western Macedonia' (an EU supported project-directive 2007/60/EC, period 2014-2017). At this point I mention that I have also 10 years of experience in surveying and in using GPS and total station instruments.

So, I am applying for this position as I am expecting to work in a workplace where culture and projects empower highly motivated employees and as I am considering that my profile could be fit in a multitasking and interdisciplinary environment where I will have the challenge to be familiarized with new knowledge and techniques.

Please see the following cover letter for a very brief introduction of my professional profile, my skills and knowledge on this area of expertise and the following cv for a detailed description.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

Natalia Blana

P.S. References are available upon request

Cover Letter:

At the beginning of this introductory section I describe in a few words my career profile since my graduation from National Technical University of Athens (School of Rural & Surveying Engineering) in 2003. So, the last 14 years I have conducted GIS and Cartographic studies in the frame of hydrological or cadastral projects for the public sector either as an employee in consultant companies (2003-2007) or as an independent contractor consultant in collaboration with a company (2014-2017). At this point, I mention that since 2011 I work on my Ph.D. thesis in Cartography (for a Doctorate degree) and as a teaching assistant in digital cartography course (7th semester) in School of Rural & Surveying Engineering (National Technical University of Athens).

Complementary to the above information, in the current paragraph, I present my current work status and my professional experience which I gained in my recent job in GIS Analysis. At this point, I mention that the last 8 years (since 2009) I run my personal consultant office based in Athens (Greece) in collaboration with two civil engineers. During the period 2014-2017 I conducted the GIS analysis and Cartographic study of the project 'Flood Risk Management Plans- Water districts of Central and Western Macedonia' (an EU supported project-directive 2007/60/EC) as an independent contractor in collaboration with 'YPODOMI Consulting Engineers Ltd' (a Greek company). Consequently, via that project I had the opportunity to expand my skills in GIS analysis through the developing of processes (using arcpy module and python language) aiming to manage (collect, integrate and check quality), perform analysis (geostatistical, hydrological and statistical in order to evaluate floods consequences) and depict a great volume of spatial data from multiple data sources and of different scales. Finally, I produced almost 900 floods maps sc. 1/25000 and other maps (hydrological, topographic, hydrolithology, soil, land use, canopy) sc. 1/300000 according to the specifications and new digital terrain models suitable for hydrological use, in ARCGIS environment.

At last, I mention that as a result of my abiding concern in improving my scientific knowledge I started on November 2011 a doctorate thesis in Cartography and especially on maps quality. Owing to the subject of my Ph.D. thesis I have deeply explored spatial data ISO quality standards and measures and map quality techniques concerning geodatabase integrity, conceptual and topological consistency and features cartographic transformations. I am also familiar with statistical issues, dissimilarity measures and data clustering practices. Furthermore, on account of my position as a Ph.D. Candidate I have developed the ability to work in a detailed manner, to incorporate tasks in my project from disciplines beyond cartography (e.g statistics) and to overcome issues occurred by adopting new techniques.

Therefore, due to my experience as a professional in GIS Analysis and Cartography, I believe that I will be able to be occupied on diversity issues in a multidisciplinary workplace and to perform multitasking. Additionally, I point out that owing to my engagement in research I have developed the ability to adopt new techniques rapidly and to encompass new knowledge easily so I could be trained quickly in order to be qualified properly so as to accomplish new tasks.

Career Overview & Key Skills

Summary

6 recent years experience in Cartography (especially on spatial data quality issues and transformations-features topology and conceptual consistency, georeferencing, data capture and editing and data integration from multiple sources/scales, projections),

6 recent years experience in GIS analysis (statistical analysis, geostatistical analysis, spatial analysis, hydrological analysis)

6 recent years experience in batch processing (python scripting/ Arcpy module, Sklearn module (especially clustering for data analysis), Numpy and Scipy module

10 years experience in land and buildings surveying/staking

Skills

Surveying equipments: Leica/Topcon Total Station, Leica /Topcon GNSS.

Intermediate level in python scripting (plus modules: Arcpy, Numpy, Sklearn-clustering, Scipy)

Highly skilled in using ARCGIS (Arcpy python module, ArcMap, Spatial Analysis, Geostatistical Analysis, Statistical analysis, Hydrology, Data Management)

Experienced in using HEC-GEORAS, HEC-GEOHMS, ARC-HYDRO tools

Basic Knowledge of R

Advanced level in drawing with AUTOCAD (2D modelling/none experience in 3D modelling)

Microsoft Office software package.

Mother tongue: Greek/Other languages: English

Education

Ph.D. Candidate, Laboratory of Cartography, Department of Topography, School of Rural & Surveying Engineering, National Technical University of Athens.

Research topic: ‘Development of a Quality Management System in Map Composition Process’.

The ongoing research is focused on the development of a map quality evaluation methodology. The proposed methodology aims at the typification of the controls required for the assessment of map/chart quality and includes the design and implementation of a model that will provide quality indicators in every stage of the map composition process. Map quality assessment will result implicitly through the evaluation of cartographic data quality in each and every stage of map composition process (model and cartographic generalization, symbolization and labeling). The configuration of the structural elements of the quality model that include the quality criteria, conformance levels and quality measures are one of the essential elements of the research. As result of the quality model implementation is expected the quantitative assessment of the map quality.

Quality controls are conducted in a GIS environment (ArcGIS/ESRI software) using tools that are developed in python scripting language.

Publications

i) 'Development of a Map Quality Assessment Model', N. Blana, L.Tsoulos, 12th National Conference of Cartography, Kozani, Greece, October 2012.

ii) 'Map Quality Assessment – Groundwork and Implementation Approach', L. Tsoulos, N. Blana, 26th International Cartographic Conference Dresden, Germany, August 2013.

iii) 'Development of a Map Quality Assessment Model-Generalization process', N. Blana, L.Tsoulos, 14th National Conference of Cartography, Patra, Greece, October 2014.

iv) 'Quality Assessment in the framework of Map Generalizaton', L. Tsoulos, N. Blana. In Proceedings of the International Workshop on Spatial Data and Map Quality, Valletta, Malta, January 2015.

v) 'Development of a Methodology for Map Quality Assessment', L. Tsoulos, N. Blana. In Proceedings of the 27th International Cartographic Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 2015.

Graduate from National Technical University of Athens, School of Rural and Surveying Engineering (June 2003)

Diploma thesis theme: ‘Composition of a thematic/tourist map of Syros Island’.

Scope of the study was the composition of two maps of Syros island (sc. 1/25000) and Ano Syros city and Ermoupoli, capital city of Syros island (sc. 1/3500). Maps included topographic and tourist information. In the study, two essential issues of the map composition process were elaborated, the way map elements are organized in a functional graphic design according to the principles imposed of the science of Cartography and relief shading techniques.

Map composition was implemented in a GIS environment (ARC INFO/ ARCGIS E.S.R.I.).

Training courses:

- ARC/GIS E.S.R.I. training course ran by Marathon Data Systems (2004)

Professional experience

June 2009 - today: self-employed

I run a consultancy office based in Athens-Greece in a partnership with 2 civil engineers, since 2009. I work in contract basis in collaboration with companies and individuals by performing GIS and Cartographic studies and Surveying Engineering work.

A. Surveying engineering studies and work:

(for public sector)

Project: "Land surveying and mapping of Agrabella square", Municipality of Kalavryta/ public sector (December 2012)".

Tasks:

a. Land surveying (projection EPSG:2100, GGRS87 / Greek Grid ).

b. Mapping/design in AutoCAD 2013 software environment.

(for private sector)

I work on a contract basis with individuals or companies by performing land and buildings surveying (interior/exterior) for cadastral purposes and staking in construction sites. My work in construction sites (new buildings) includes staking in order to delineate excavation, setting out the building plan and levelling. I work on a part-time basis (when it needed) in the initial phase of the building construction. Additionally, I work on building reconstruction and enhancement process by performing the initial interior and exterior building surveying and later the staking.

B. Cartography-GIS studies:

September 2014 - October 2017: Collaboration with 'YPODOMI Consulting Engineers Ltd' in the hydraulic part of the study 'Flood Risk Management Plans- Water districts of Central and Western Macedonia' (an EU supported project of the Greek public sector that concerns the floods directive 2007/60/EC).

Job scope:

- Maps composition: floods hazard maps and floods risk maps (sc. 1/10000-sea floods, sc. 1/25000-river floods), land cover, land use, hydrological, geomorphological, geological, soil and hydrolithological maps (sc. 1/300000).

Tasks:

- Data capture from multiple sources (maps digitization, open sources-kml files and shapefiles, autocad drawings- land surveying data).

- Data georeferencing between different projections (European, World projections and Greek grid projection).

- Data integration.

- Model Generalization (elimination-aggregation).

- Quality control (topology-conceptual consistency-format consistency).

- DEM construction using land surveying and data from other sources (maps digitization, providers).

- DEM quality control across land surveying elevations-New DEM production (interpolation).

- Surface data preparation for hydraulic use (ArcHydro tools and GeoHMS/GeoRAS tools in ARG/GIS 10.3 environment were used for hydrologic information extraction-terrain preprocessing, stream definition and watersheds delineation).

- Soil and land cover data analysis was performed in order to determine the Curve Number of the basins.

- Geostatistical analysis was performed on Intensity-Duration-Frequency curves parameters in conjunction to surface elevations in order to apply Intensity-Duration-Frequency curves on the study area.

- Statistical analysis was performed in order to evaluate the vulnerability of the areas against the floods (affected population, affected agricultural areas, buildings, roads and other infrastructures etc.). Analysis was based on floods maximum depth and velocity.

- Maps composition (.mxd format) was implementing in ARC/MAP ("data driven pages" utility was used in order to create map series). New symbols were composed.

- Batch processing was implementing in spatial data analysis and maps production.

(python scripting language and arcpy module were used) for the implementation of the analysis and data preparation tasks.

C. Environmental studies for private sector :

Studies:

"Environmental impact study for the recycling sorting center "V. NIKOLAOU & CO", Municipality of Avlida (July 2013 ).

B. "Environmental impact study for the recycling sorting center "SOLID WASTE RECYCLING SA", Municipality of Aspropyrgos (September 2011).

Tasks:

- Investigate and assess the impacts on the natural environment during the sorting center construction and operation, according to the specifications provided by the legislation.

D. Teaching (2011-2017)

As an assistant in digital cartography course (7th semester) in School of Rural & Surveying Engineering (National Technical University of Athens).

September 2007- May 2009: EDRASIS C. PSALLIDAS S.A.

Construction site of the Cultural and Conference centre in Heraklion city (Land area: 5 670 m2/ 5 buildings: 23 175 m2 /4 subfloors-garages and 4 upper floors) in Crete island, Greece

Job position:

Construction surveyor and site engineer

Duties:

- Setting out buildings plans (civil engineering plans)/staking metal (shelter, pedestrian bridge, stairways) and concrete features and levelling.

- Supervising concrete construction team: providing guidelines through detailed construction plans (drawings/cross-sections, profiles, populating elevations) for special features construction, checking molds geometry, molds horizontal and vertical positional accuracy, elevation accuracy.

Construction site of the "Achtarika" building in Heraklion city (Crete Island, GREECE)

- Surveying of the building's interior was performed in the frame of the building's enhancement and reconstruction.

January 2004 – September 2007: YPODOMI Consulting Engineers Ltd

A. Participate in GIS projects for public sector:

Cadastral maps composition of the property of The Group Of The Hellenic Railways (scale 1/500, 1/1000)

Database development (in ARC/GIS 9.3 environment)

Old maps georeferencing by using map features common characteristics and maps georeferencing between different projections.

Data integration from multiple sources (CAD, digitization), digitization and editing.

B. Participate in surveying engineering projects for public sector:

Cadastral maps composition (prefectures Fokida, Fthiotida, Attica)

Drawings composition

C. Participate in hydraulic projects for public sector:

Athens- Thessalonica highway (section Scarfia- Thermopyles, 17 km): drainage and flood protection project

Drawings composition (culverts, ditches)

Railway network (railway connection: SOVEL factory- Central Greece railway network, length 36 km.)

Drawings composition (culverts, ditches)

September 2003 - December 2003: EXANTAS, CONSULTING ENGINEERS I. CHATZINIKOLAOU & ASSOCIATES E.E.

Project-Cadastral maps composition (city of Argos, prefecture Argolida).

Drawings composition

Access database population and quality checks

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