About Peter Vermeulen

With more than 30 years of experience in scientific innovation in developing and applying numerical groundwater flow models, Peter has acquired broad knowledge. His enthusiasm and drive to innovate have motivated him, among other things, to develop the software program iMOD5, of which Peter is the founder and developer. iMOD5 enables us to process groundwater flow models efficiently and transparently, with a range of science-based software developments, including advanced 2D and 3D visualizations, geostatistical interpolation methods and built-in parameter optimization algorithms. His natural interest lies mainly in calibration, data assimilation and uncertainty analysis of numerical (geo)modeling. Peter's PhD research focused on parameter scaling and optimization using reduced méta models, which are also more widely applicable. He is ambitious and striving to expand his knowledge in artificial intelligence and explore new opportunities for model optimization within different areas of interest. His passion lies in creating, gathering knowledge to improve, and increasing understanding of complex processes.

In his current position, Peter executes various (inter)national projects carried out as a team or individually. His role here varies from project leader, tutor, mentor and/or project member. Many of the projects are carried out simultaneously and mainly alternate between the following topics:

• developing numerical geo- and groundwater models and optimizing them for regional and local purposes. This includes regional groundwater models such as MIPWA, IBRAHYM, etc. but also studies such as:
  o the fresh-salt modeling of Terschelling in relation to climate adaptation;
  o the modeling around the extension of the A27 near Utrecht;
  o the calibration of the Landelijk-Hydrologisch-Model (LHM) for which his innovative approach will soon be published in Water Resource Research;
• international modeling studies among others in Vietnam (freshwater supply), Switzerland (water management), Germany (regional modeling), Singapore (reclaimed islands), Canada (effects closure of gas recoveries and improvement of 3D visualizations), Morocco (reclamation of a phosphate mine), etc.;
• Maintaining and developing the graphical software to support and visualize highly demanding numerical models (iMOD). In this he maintains close contacts with users in a) inland with Drinking Water Companies, Water Boards, Consultancies, Provinces, TNO-GDN and b) abroad a.o. with the Geological Services in Alberta (AGS), Hesse (HLNUG) and Schleswig-Holstein (LFU). Peter Vermeulen provides them with support and with iMOD modifications and/or improvements if needed;
• developing advanced tools to achieve efficient modeling, introduce uncertainty and perform calibrations. In 2020 Peter did an exchange with the Institute of Geo- and Nuclear Science (GNS) in New Zealand on parameter optima-lization with the Iterative-Ensemble-Smoothing (IES) methodology.

Peter is always open to evaluate and disclose new insights and developments. Please see his key publications below: