Meet Our Landscape Dynamics 2021–22 Undergrad Researchers
For three years, the Landscape Dynamics research group at the Center for Geospatial Analytics has recruited talented NC State undergraduate research assistants to help drive cutting-edge research in the fields of biological invasions and urban systems. The biological invasions research team focuses on forecasting the spread of pests and pathogens at multiple spatial scales, while the urban systems team explores the multi-scale drivers and implications of urban development and land use change.
Undergrad assistants make important contributions to ongoing research while gaining valuable skills in managing big geospatial data, machine learning and programming.
Welcome to our newest undergrad researchers!
Elizabeth Beyer is a senior double majoring in Biological Engineering (with a concentration in Ecological Engineering) and Spanish. Her research interests include modeling and biological engineering. As an undergrad research assistant, she will work on inputs for the Center’s signature Pest or Pathogen Spread (PoPS) forecasting platform as well as host mapping efforts using machine learning and crowdsourced and open imagery.
Drew Bresingham is a sophomore majoring in Environmental Technology and Management. His experience and interests include invasive species management and GIS. As an undergrad research assistant with the Center, he will contribute to host mapping efforts using machine learning to help forecast the spread of pests and pathogens.
Katie Simi is a senior double majoring in Physics and Marine Science, with a minor in Mathematics. Her experience and research interests include remote sensing and GIS. As an undergrad research assistant with the Center, she will contribute to scaling host mapping for pest and pathogen forecasting, using high-resolution satellite imagery and machine learning algorithms.
Asher Zhang is a senior, interested in combining his major in Sociology and Psychology with Geospatial Analytics to analyze the effects of climate distress on urban environments and investigate possible avenues for adaptation.
NC State undergrads: Interested in applying for a research assistantship with the Center for Geospatial Analytics next year? Calls for applicants will be posted in June 2022!
