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Research Focus

My work centers on translating Earth observation data into actionable science for ecosystem stewardship. I specialize in:

• Integrating remote sensing technologies (full waveform lidar, multispectral, hyperspectral, SAR, and UAS) to map ecosystem structure and function.
• Modeling wildfire-driven ecosystem transformation and postfire carbon recovery across western North America.
• Building open, transferable workflows and training resources that make remote sensing accessible to interdisciplinary teams.

Research Portfolio

Explore current projects and collaborations. Select a tab to learn more about each research effort.

Open Forest Observatory

In the Open Forest Observatory initiative we develop forest inventories using individual tree delineations and structural attributes derived from unpiloted aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery. Our team tests the transferability of individual tree detection models across diverse vegetation conditions and designs training modules that empower scientists to use AI and machine learning for ecological applications.

Ecosystem Transformation & Carbon Consequences

This project models postfire ecosystem transformation trends and vulnerability in the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center region. By coupling remote sensing time series analyses with known transformation locations and management interventions, we evaluate how alternative management strategies influence carbon storage trajectories.

Repeat Fires & Carbon Recovery

Using a century of fire records alongside GEDI, Sentinel-2, and MODIS observations, I quantify how repeat fire events shape carbon potential across western United States forests. The work highlights thresholds in resilience and guides prioritization of restoration investments.

Fire Impacts on Forests

By combining new spaceborne lidar measurements with UAS-based canopy structure, composition, climate, and topographic data, I model postfire carbon recovery trajectories. The resulting datasets support scenario planning for land managers balancing carbon sequestration and biodiversity goals.

Southern Rockies Postfire Carbon Potential

Field inventories and UAS campaigns across burned scars in the Southern Rockies inform structure-from-motion models that map conifer seedling regeneration and growth. The research identifies strategies that accelerate carbon gain and ecosystem resilience following fire.

Twensday-03 Early Warning System

I lead the Twensday-03 collaboratory to design an early warning system that detects ecosystem transformation tipping points—including forest-to-grass, scrub, and shrubland transitions—in western U.S. forests. The effort leverages Earth observation data cubes and interdisciplinary expertise to anticipate change before it accelerates.

Education

• Ph.D. in Geosciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA (2014–2020)
• M.S. in Geology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA (2012–2014)
• B.S. in Geology, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2005–2009)

Professional Experience

• Research Scientist

  Earth Lab, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder • June 2023–present

  Designs workflows that integrate airborne, spaceborne, and field data to reveal how disturbances reshape carbon storage across landscapes.

• Postdoctoral Research Associate

  Earth Lab, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder • April 2020–May 2023

  Advanced postfire recovery models, co-developed open-source analytics, and mentored students in remote sensing and data science.

• Research Assistant

  Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA • 2016–2020

  Developed and maintained full waveform lidar processing tools, led field data collection, and analyzed airborne datasets to characterize vegetation structure, function, and diversity while mentoring graduate and undergraduate researchers.

• Research Assistant

  Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA • 2013–2014

  Oversaw terrestrial laser scanning operations, delivered workshops on TLS data collection, and integrated TLS, field observations, and Landsat data to map forest functional traits.

• Geologist

  Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Sri Lanka • 2011–2012

  Conducted geological and geophysical resource mapping, prepared survey reports, and supported national assessments of mineral deposits.

Skills Snapshot

Remote Sensing Expertise

• Technologies: full waveform lidar, discrete return lidar, hyperspectral, multispectral, SAR, and structure-from-motion photogrammetry.
• Platforms: satellite, piloted airborne, unpiloted airborne systems (UAS), and terrestrial sensors.
• End-to-end project execution from data collection to product development.
• Domain knowledge spanning forest growth, plant functional traits, wildfires, drought, and carbon sequestration.

Geospatial Analytics

• Spatial analytics, algorithm development, geospatial data management, and rigorous QA/QC.
• Remote sensing big data analytics using high-performance computing, AWS, Google Earth Engine, and Google Colab.

Programming

• Python: Jupyter Notebook, PyCharm, Anaconda, and geospatial libraries including arcpy, GDAL, OGR, shapely, and geopandas.
• R: RStudio, R Notebook, and packages such as sf, terra, lidR, and raster.
• MATLAB: signal processing and custom workflows.

Software & Collaboration

• ENVI, Esri ArcGIS, QGIS, GDAL/OGR, Agisoft Metashape, and Terrasolid.
• Version control and collaboration tools including Git, MS Teams, Trello, Slack, and Google Docs.

Field & Outreach

• Operation of terrestrial laser scanners, UAS (trained pilot), spectroradiometers, LAI-2200, AccuPAR LP-80, and RTK GPS systems.
• Experienced in organizing workshops, presenting at conferences, technical writing, and teaching introductory remote sensing and geology.

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