About me
Within the broad field of Geography, I am applying methodological techniques to study physical geography. Specifically, as a pyrogeographer, I use remote sensing and image processing techniques to address wildfire and landscape ecology research objectives. My goal is to fill research knowledge gaps that benefit emergency responders and inform policymakers and community members.
Education
Ph.D., Geography, San Diego State University / University of California, Santa Barbara Joint Doctoral Program (2023)
- Dissertation Title: "Satellite-derived estimates of herbaceous fractional cover and its influence on fire regime in San Diego County, California, USA shrublands"
- Thesis Title: "Using Multi-Angle WorldView-2 Imagery to Determine Ocean Depth Near Oahu, Hawaii"
- Minor: Geological Sciences
- Participant: Summer 2005 Wildlands Studies Threatened Wildlife Project in Yellowstone National Park
Professional employment
- Affiliate Faculty, Arizona State University, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Tempe, AZ (2025 - present)
- Adjunct Faculty, Mesa Community College, Cultural Science, Philosophy, and Religious Studies Department, Mesa, AZ (2024 - present)
- Remote Sensing Scientist, Solis Applied Science, Falls Church, VA (2021 - 2024)
- Temporary Instructor of Geosciences, Department of Economics and Geosciences (DFEG), U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO (Spring 2024 Semester)
- Instructor of Record: World Cultural Geography
- California State University Doctoral Employee, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA (2019 - 2023)
- Instructor of Record: (1) Remote Sensing of Environment Laboratory, (2) Geographic Information Science and Spatial Reasoning
- Research Assistant (2023)
- Spatial Decision Support for Fire Management in Indigenous Cultural and Stewardship Practices Project Team (2023)
- Graduate Assistant (2022 - 2023)
- Doctoral Teaching Associate (2021 - 2022)
- Research Fellow (2020 - 2021)
- Connecting Wildlands & Communities Project Team (2019 - 2021)
- Doctoral Research Associate (2019 - 2020)
- Remote Sensing Scientist & Account Manager, Intterra, Inc., Castle Rock, CO (2016 – 2019)
- Temporary Instructor of Geosciences, Department of Economics and Geosciences (DFEG), U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO (2015 – 2016)
- Instructor of Record: (1) Remote Sensing and Imagery Analysis, (2) Advanced Remote Sensing
- Business Systems Analyst, Senior Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton, contracted to work with the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mid-South, Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS)-074 Project Management Support Branch (PMSB), U.S. Navy, Millington, TN (2014 – 2015)
- Documentation Specialist, Senior Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton, contracted to work with the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mid-South, Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS)-074 Project Management Support Branch (PMSB), U.S. Navy, Millington, TN (2014)
- Hyperspectral Imagery (HSI) Program Manager/Tactician, Distributed Ground Station-One (DGS-1), 497th Operations Support Squadron (OSS), Weapons and Tactics Flight (OSK), U.S. Air Force, Langley Air Force Base, VA (2012 – 2013)
- Remote Sensing Center Research Associate, Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Physics Department, Monterey, CA (2008 – 2012)
- DEVELOP Program Summer Intern, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA (2008)
- Laboratory Assistant (Part-Time) in Dr. Jeff Dozier’s Laboratory, Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Santa Barbara, CA (2008)
- Laboratory Assistant (Part-Time) in Dr. James Kennett’s Laboratory, Geological Sciences Department, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Santa Barbara, CA (2005 – 2006)
Updated 11 April 2025
