Projects
I have linked some of my favorite geospatial projects on here with explanations of why I think they stand out and what I learned. Please click below to view some of my work.
FM Query Mapping Tool
This project takes data extracted from the FCC Consolidated Database Service (CDBS), which stores data for radio and television services. The raw data for this project was extracted using the FM Query tool. The user inputs an FM radio station or translator's call letters and if the value is found in the file, it extracts the values needed to create a KML website string and pull up the appropriate service area contour. When clicked, a marker showing the station's radio tower location also gives information on the call letters, frequency, station class, operating power, and the license holder for the station.
National Weather Service Mobile Storm Report App
Working with Ashlie Sears at National Weather Service in Upton, NY, I outlined a potential method for implementing and testing a mobile app that will allow users to submit storm report data directly to NWS, who would vet the report and then push it to their existing workflow. This required much research into their system and became a theme over several class projects. I have linked a paper showing the planning and implementation process and a video with a presentation of the web interface using Amazon's EC2 service.
Map Design and Analysis
I chose two of my favorite design projects from a class that tested skills in cartography, layouts, and analysis. The first project was creating a zoning map that would be suitable for multiple mediums. This particular layout would be turned into a poster for large group meetings and could be used for a tri-fold brochure. The second project used raster analysis and several techniques to narrow down candidate areas for suitable habitats for native species. These both taught me how to approach projects from different angles and use workflows to reach the project's objectives.
Urban Sprawl and Urban Heat Island
My research interest within the Master of Geographic Information Systems program was in analyzing the Urban Heat Island and finding correlations to urban buildup. I started to analyze how air temperature in the Houston area responds to buildup using Census data to estimate population density and then seeing how that corresponds to temperature increases. There were issues with this project because National Weather Service weather reporting stations were not located in the urban core of Houston and thus could not fully show the effects. The proximity to the Gulf of Mexico also gave a natural temperature bias near the coast that made measuring the UHI difficult.
So for my Capstone Project research, I chose to look at UHI in two areas that did not have natural temperature biases due to topography or proximity to large water sources. I also wanted areas that showed a good population growth over the last two decades. I settled on Dallas and Minneapolis. Using ASTER satellite data, I was able to look at surface temperatures and correlate this to land cover to determine how the two are connected.
Corn Earworm Project
One of my first scientific research projects came during my undergraduate career. I worked with several researchers spanning the fields of meteorology, geography, and entomology in order to study patterns of corn earworm migration into the northeastern United States. The reason this is important research is that this region accounts for nearly a third of the US sweet corn crop. By being able to trace migratory patterns, it can help farmers reduce pesticide usage through an integrated pest management program.
FM Query Mapping Tool
This project takes data extracted from the FCC Consolidated Database Service (CDBS), which stores data for radio and television services. The raw data for this project was extracted using the FM Query tool. The user inputs an FM radio station or translator's call letters and if the value is found in the file, it extracts the values needed to create a KML website string and pull up the appropriate service area contour. When clicked, a marker showing the station's radio tower location also gives information on the call letters, frequency, station class, operating power, and the license holder for the station.
National Weather Service Mobile Storm Report App
Working with Ashlie Sears at National Weather Service in Upton, NY, I outlined a potential method for implementing and testing a mobile app that will allow users to submit storm report data directly to NWS, who would vet the report and then push it to their existing workflow. This required much research into their system and became a theme over several class projects. I have linked a paper showing the planning and implementation process and a video with a presentation of the web interface using Amazon's EC2 service.
Map Design and Analysis
I chose two of my favorite design projects from a class that tested skills in cartography, layouts, and analysis. The first project was creating a zoning map that would be suitable for multiple mediums. This particular layout would be turned into a poster for large group meetings and could be used for a tri-fold brochure. The second project used raster analysis and several techniques to narrow down candidate areas for suitable habitats for native species. These both taught me how to approach projects from different angles and use workflows to reach the project's objectives.
Urban Sprawl and Urban Heat Island
My research interest within the Master of Geographic Information Systems program was in analyzing the Urban Heat Island and finding correlations to urban buildup. I started to analyze how air temperature in the Houston area responds to buildup using Census data to estimate population density and then seeing how that corresponds to temperature increases. There were issues with this project because National Weather Service weather reporting stations were not located in the urban core of Houston and thus could not fully show the effects. The proximity to the Gulf of Mexico also gave a natural temperature bias near the coast that made measuring the UHI difficult.
So for my Capstone Project research, I chose to look at UHI in two areas that did not have natural temperature biases due to topography or proximity to large water sources. I also wanted areas that showed a good population growth over the last two decades. I settled on Dallas and Minneapolis. Using ASTER satellite data, I was able to look at surface temperatures and correlate this to land cover to determine how the two are connected.
Corn Earworm Project
One of my first scientific research projects came during my undergraduate career. I worked with several researchers spanning the fields of meteorology, geography, and entomology in order to study patterns of corn earworm migration into the northeastern United States. The reason this is important research is that this region accounts for nearly a third of the US sweet corn crop. By being able to trace migratory patterns, it can help farmers reduce pesticide usage through an integrated pest management program.