About Nina Hellebrekers
Nina Hellebrekers works as a soil mechanics expert at Deltares, supporting the geotechnical laboratory across the full spectrum. She advises project leaders on testing possibilities, develops custom test procedures, and guides technicians in carrying out complex experiments.
She has a masters degree in geology and geophysics, specializing in rock mechanics and microscale deformation processes. Her academic work focused on the processes that influence whether or not earthquakes occur. Her master’s research on deep earthquakes in the East African Rift Zone was published in the scientific journal Tectonophysics.
Her academic background is a valuable asset to the geotechnical laboratory. With her knowledge of microscale processes and mineralogy, she is able to deeply understand soil behavior and translate that knowledge into practical applications. She now applies this expertise to major societal challenges such as climate change and the energy transition, where insight into soil processes is essential.
In addition to her broad support within the lab, she specializes in the unsaturated zone and the effects of drought and extreme rainfall on soil behavior. Her strong foundation in mineralogy also proves useful in this area.
Projects Nina worked on: