|
 |
|
TEACHING AND RESEARCH INTERESTS:
• Geological and Environmental Remote Sensing
• Analytical Geochemistry
• Planetary Science
• Landslide Monitoring
• Regional Tectonics
DEGREES:
Ph.D. (2002) Dept. of Geological Sciences, University of Florida
M.S. (1994) Dept. of Geology, Northern Arizona University
B.S. (1987) Dept. of Geology, James Madison University
PROFILE:
I am currently working on remote sensing projects in North Carolina,
Florida, and Idaho. In North Carolina, I have recently begun a study
of red wolf habitat in Dare, Hyde, and Tyrell Counties. I currently
have a Master’s student working on this project (Zach Petersen),
and we are monitoring several wolves with GPS collars to understand
their land-use preferences and home range sizes to help the Fish
and Wildlife Service improve the chances of survival of this endangered
species. In south Florida, I am using lidar and high-resolution
multispectral imagery to map mangrove biomass and to assess the
value of this habitat for hurricane storm surge mitigation. In Idaho,
I am using hyperspectral imagery (AVIRIS) and synthetic aperture
radar (AIRSAR) to map vegetation and to understand weathering of
basalts in Craters of the Moon National Monument. I am also studying
land use change and habitat fragmentation in eastern Idaho near
the border with Yellowstone National Park to evaluate threats to
large animal migration in the area.
I am also interested in using geochemistry as a tool for understanding
magmatic processes at hotspots (Cobb hotspot in the eastern Pacific),
ridge-hotspot intersections (Cobb hotspot and Juan de Fuca Ridge)
and ridge-trench interactions (Woodlark Ridge near the Solomon Islands
in the SW Pacific).
I teach both Fundamentals and Advanced Remote Sensing classes, which
provide a strong background for students who are interested in applying
remote sensing to the study of environmental, geological, meteorological,
and marine processes using state-of-the-art image processing tools.
I also teach introductory Geology classes (Geology 1200), National
Parks Science, and Planetary Science classes. I also teach a class
in high-altitude balloon launching, in which students design and
build a “near-space” capsule to launch on a weather
balloon that ascends up to 100,000 feet, takes pictures and weather
data, and descends back to Earth on a parachute.
|
|
