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Featured Presentations

Dr. Sarah Hoffmann (Merck Animal Health): Smart Salmon Database: A collaborative platform for salmon habitat data sharing and insights

• The Smart Salmon Database is a scalable remote-sensing, imagery-based (e.g., drones, satellite, LiDAR, etc.) monitoring tool where salmon habitat data can be uploaded, downloaded, analyzed, and shared. Advances in the accessibility and application of remote sensing techniques to environmental monitoring have greatly broadened the geographical scope and inference of habitat programs, directly benefitting the recovery of endangered species. With the launch of the Smart Salmon Database, we aim to (1) provide a solution for reliable, long-term imagery data storage and access; (2) prevent duplicative efforts by democratizing access to imagery across space and time; and, (3) foster collaboration and innovation in the remote sensing and conservation communities. By making these data accessible and reliable, we are one step further in the recovery of these culturally, economically, and ecologically important salmon species.
• Sarah graduated with a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Clemson University and a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from Florida Atlantic University. In her graduate degrees, she focused on exploring the interplay between fish biology (biomechanics, physiology), habitat use, and phylogenetic context. She also worked to develop novel methods for quantifying free-swimming kinematics of large fishes to better quantify volitional habitat interaction. After receiving her degrees, she worked as a fisheries scientist for the applied biological services division of Biomark before it was acquired by Merck Animal Health. She currently leads scientific marketing efforts to support Merck Animal Health’s biopharmaceutical and technology portfolio for aquaculture, conservation, and fisheries.

Chris Crosby (OpenTopography): OpenTopography: Enabling Access to High Resolution Topography

• Topographic data such as lidar and structure from motion photogrammetry have transformed geoscience research and education. OpenTopography is an initiative supported by the National Science Foundation that strives to streamline hosting, discovery, and processing of topographic data, with web-based tools for data visualization, custom product generation, and advanced analysis such as hydrologic routing and topographic differencing. Presently, lidar covering >85% of the Lower 48 US states, as well as lower resolution global topographic data are available through OpenTopography. This presentation will provide an overview of OpenTopography, available data and resources, and examples of OpenTopography data in action.
• Chris Crosby manages day-to-day operations of the OpenTopography Facility. Trained as a geologist, he has worked on paleoseismology, earthquake geology, and active tectonics research in the western US, Caribbean, and Central Asia. He is interested in utilization of cyberinfrastructure to manage and improve access to earth science data and processing tools. Chris is an expert in the management, distribution, processing, and application of high-resolution topography acquired via lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) technology and has guided the development of OpenTopography since its inception. In addition to his work on OpenTopography, Chris also manages Geodetic Imaging (Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), photogrammetry, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)) at EarthScope Consortium in Boulder, CO.