Christina Plainaki

PS Planetary and Solar System Sciences

The 2014 Division Outstanding Young Scientist Award is awarded to Christina Plainaki for fundamental studies on galactic and cosmic ray physics.

Christina Plainaki has provided important contributions to the fields of galactic and solar cosmic ray physics, magnetospheric physics, solar physics, astroparticle physics and space weather. Her initial work was on the definition of an empirical model for predicting the value of the Coronal Index of solar activity. Her current research activity is mainly focused on the theoretical and experimental study of ground level enhancements, which are some of the most energetic of solar energetic particle events. The interdisciplinary nature of Plainaki’s contributions and their significance in the context of galactic and cosmic ray physics makes her a worthy recipient of the Division Outstanding Young Scientists Award.

Publication resulting from the award

Plainaki, C., Paschalis, P., Grassi, D., Mavromichalaki, H., and Andriopoulou, M.: Solar energetic particle interactions with the Venusian atmosphere, Ann. Geophys., 34, 595–608, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-34-595-2016, 2016.