Keynote Presentation Abstracts

Jeff Weber, Associate Scientist, Unidata Program Center, Boulder, Colorado

Data, data everywhere, but not a bit to display

Environmental data come in a wide variety of formats. How can one make use of these heterogeneous datasets to deliver a meaningful, big-picture view of the world? As we seek to address ever more complicated environmental issues, we need to be able to integrate data from a range of domains; this will allow us to explore connections and predict impacts. As most scientific domains come with their own sets of data practices and jargon, is it possible to break down the barriers to develop more integrated solutions to today's complex problems? The Unidata Program Center is working to remove the hurdles to data access and display by using middleware and various server technologies. This talk will cover a range of these technologies as well as their application to examples of using real-time weather data for learning.

About the speaker: Jeff is an Associate Scientist at the Unidata Program Center at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. Jeff's graduate studies focused on Arctic Climatology and Remote Sensing. Jeff began his career at Unidata as a Software Engineer, but has been able to return more to his scientific roots over the past couple of years. Jeff is currently working on data management and visualization issues for the International Polar Year (IPY), and is also is creating a framework to facilitate case study generation, collaboration, and sharing through web-based technologies.

Anupma Prakash, Associate Professor, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks

From satellites to end users: Real world applications of remote sensing in a rapidly changing climate

The field of remote sensing stretches beyond the limits of human perception, expanding not only our data and information pool, but something even more important: our understanding.

I will first provide a brief overview of the directions in which this rapidly developing technology is heading, then present a series of case studies that use remote sensing data for real-world applications from around the world. These will include the dynamic Arctic environment, natural hazards, human impacts, environmental analysis, and decision support systems.

About the speaker: Dr. Anupma Prakash is an Associate Professor in remote sensing geophysics at the Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). Her research work deals with digital image processing of spaceborne and airborne remote sensing data to study land surface composition and changes, especially landscape changes in the Arctic associated with climate warming. She validates her image processing results with detailed field work. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems at UAF and is also heavily involved with geoscience education and outreach at all levels. More information on her research and teaching is available at https://anupma-prakash.github.io