Principal Investigator: Dr. Lana L. Narine, Assistant Professor of Geospatial Analytics

My research specializes in remote sensing of vegetation structure, and remote sensing applications in natural resources and forestry. Research interests include the utilization of light detection and ranging (lidar) data from sensors on airborne and spaceborne platforms, to develop methodologies and products for characterizing vegetation biophysical parameter through geospatial analysis, using remote sensing and GIS.

Swati Singh, PhD student (Forestry)

I received my Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Lucknow, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Remote Sensing & GIS (Forestry) from the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, ISRO. My PhD work focuses on vegetation characterization and prediction framework/model through the sequential inclusion of various remote sensing datasets. I firmly believe that my major at Auburn University is the best choice and challenge to prove myself in the field of precision forestry.

Nisham Thapa, PhD student (Forestry)

My research focuses on forest biomass and forest carbon mapping using multi-source remote sensing data. I completed my Master’s degree in Forestry from Auburn University, with a focus on using airborne lidar and aerial imageries for invasive species mapping in the coastal region of Alabama. I aspire to contribute on natural resources management with the help of geospatial science.

Janaki Sandamali Kuda Udage, PhD student (Earth System Science)

I obtained my BSc in Surveying Sciences specialization in Remote Sensing and GIS and then obtained a Master’s in Remote Sensing and GIS. In my work, I combine Remote Sensing, Radar, LiDAR, GNSS, and Drone Mapping. In a geospatial context, I like studying and simulating environmental and forestry-related phenomena. I’m eager to contribute my knowledge, professional skills, research experience, interpersonal skills, and communication abilities to the betterment of the future world.

Sinka Khadijah Abubakar, MS student (co-advised by Dr. Jonathon Valente) (Natural Resources)

I am Sinka Khadijah Abubakar, a graduate student reading Natural Resources. Broadly, my research interest lies in remote sensing applications in the environment and for natural resources management. I have expertise in using GIS and remote sensing technologies for Landscape Mapping, Fragmentation Analysis, Land Use Land Cover Change and Intensity Analysis, and Carbon Stock Assessments. My current research focuses on using remote sensing to characterize vegetation structure in and around different Wildlife Management Areas across the state of Alabama as part of an Inventory and Conservation Planning action. I wish to become a great asset in the near future and contribute to regional and global discussions and engagements in line with Earth Observation for landscape analysis, forest monitoring, and biodiversity conservation. 

Ajay Gautam, MS student (Forestry)

I completed my undergrad in Forestry Science from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. I am integrating spaceborne lidar in conjunction with other satellite imagery to better understand dynamics of  forest disturbance. I aspire to learn how geospatial anaytics  and remote sensing techniques contribute toward resource management at regional and global scales.

War Eagle!

Former Lab Members

Cameron Boland, MS Forestry (Co-advised with Dr. Adam Maggard)
Research summary: Development and investigation of an urban forest inventory at Redstone Arsenal Army Post.

Schyler Brown, MS Forestry
Research summary: Examination of the use of airborne and spaceborne lidar and satellite imagery for estimating aboveground biomass, volume, and basal area in Southeastern US forests.

Eian Margaret Davis, MS Natural Resources (Co-advised with Dr. Christopher Anderson)
Research summary: Application of aerial and satellite imagery in coastal wetland monitoring and vegetation composition assessments in Apalachicola, Florida.

Md. Mozahidul Islam, MS Natural Resources
Research Summary: Development of methods for utilizing NEON datasets for high-resolution biomass mapping, and identification of varying irrigation demanded areas using soil moisture, climatic and remotely observed datasets in the Southeastern US.

Nisham Thapa, MS Forestry
Research summary: Development of methods for mapping the distribution of invasive species (tallow and privet) using field, airborne lidar and aerial imagery, and examination of factors contributing to their spread in Coastal Mississippi-Alabama.

Kasip Tiwari, MS Forestry
Research summary: Development of methods to map forest canopy height and aboveground biomass using spaceborne lidar (ICESat-2) data in the Southeastern US and generation of canopy height and biomass maps across two ecoregions; Southeastern Plains and Middle Atlantic Coastal Plains ecoregions.

Nathan Kurtz, Undergraduate Research Fellow, Spring and Summer, 2023

Victoria Stack, Undergraduate Research Fellow, Summer, 2021