Geospatial Analyst

Pui Yu Ling, Ph.D.

**** ******** ****, ********** ****, MD 20782 Phone: 805-***-****; email: *********@*****.***

PROFILE

Quantitative geospatial researcher who has more than 10 years of experience in using GIS, remote sensing, econometric modelling, geodatabase manipulation and data analysis to assist land management projects.

Involved in multiple research projects and resulted in high impact publications:

1.Completed forest natural resources and land management projects with validation.

2.Led collaborative landscape-level land cover analyses using remote sensing and geospatial data analysis.

3.Analyzed GIS data and developed models using Python, ESRI Model Builder, and ArcGIS tools.

4.Developed SQL queries to manage databases in different modelling analysis.

5.Developed and managed a remote sensing proposal on forest change that was successfully funded.

Excellent research and communication skills recognized by awards from the university.

EDUCATION:

Doctor of Philosophy, Geographical Sciences; Dec. 2016

University of Maryland

Dissertation: “Integrating Forest Ecological Processes, Management, and Carbon Payments to Assess Ecosystem Service Trade-offs”

Advisor: Professor Stephen D. Prince

Accomplishments: 2 published papers, 1 invited for revision, and 1 in preparation; 1 departmental research award; 1 university reward in presentation to non-science audience; 5 conference presentations.

Bachelor of Science, Earth System & Environmental Science, June 2008

Minor: Mathematics;

University of California, Irvine

Thesis: “Biosphere Response to the Increasing Temperature of Northern Regions”

Advisor: Professor James T. Randerson

Accomplishments: 2 research grants awarded, 1 invited conference presentation.

SKILLS:

Computer

R, Stata, ArcGIS, Python, MATLAB, ENVI, Latex, ERDAS imagine, SQL, Google Earth Engine API.

Languages

Proficient in speaking and listening in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin. Proficient in writing traditional Chinese and English.

EXPERIENCE:

Short-term Remote Sensing Consultant, Terra Global Capital Apr. 2018-Present

Improve historical land cover accuracies in Zanzibar, Tanzania using Python and Google Earth Engine.

Review and update the VCS Project Document and Monitoring Report.

Short-term Science Consultant, Winrock International Jun. 2017-Feb 2018

Develop historical land cover maps of Wonegizi, Liberia to support the implementation of the REDD+ project.

Investigate how science can be integrated to international environmental policy that helps the local economy.

In particular, how to upscale local research results and methods for global applications.

Biodiversity Policy Postdoctoral Fellow, Feb. 2017-Apr. 2017

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Provided support for the Coalition for Private Investment in Conservation (CPIC).

Assisted in developing a biodiversity indicator that would help inform investment decisions.

Quantified the impact of remotely sensed detected forest loss on species extinction risk in Madagascar.

Graduate Research Assistant Sep. 2010-Aug. 2016

Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland

Principal Investigator: Dr. Chengquan Huang

Analyzed the relationships between different types of timber production and socio-economic factors at various locations.

Supervised undergraduate and high school interns.

Classified urban impervious surface area from high-resolution remote sensing images (e.g. QuickBird, WorldView) using the image analysis software Hierarchical Image Segmentation (HSEG) in collaboration with the NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

Validated of remote sensing products using a Landsat time series visualization tool and web application called TimeSync.

Analyzed the impact of drought by distinguishing between soil and standing dead plant for different seasons in sub-Saharan African countries using high resolution ASTER images.

Analyzed desertification in Northeastern China using MODIS images.

Undergraduate Research Assistant Nov. 2006-June 2008

Department of Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine

Advisor: Professor James T. Randerson

Analyzed atmospheric carbon dioxide records to study recent changes in biosphere-atmosphere fluxes.

Designed and coded MATLAB programs for time series analysis.

Independent Study Aug 2007-June 2008

School of Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine

Advisor: Professor Jean-Daniel Saphores

Cost and benefit analysis of using Post-Consumer Waste (PCW) recycled paper.

Initiated a campaign for more departments to use PCW recycled paper.

Negotiated with the UCI Purchasing Department for getting a lower price for PCW recycled paper.

PUBLICATIONS:

Ling, P.-Y., Baiocchi, G., Huang, C. (2016). Spatial Estimation of Carbon Influx from Forest Biomass to the Harvested Wood Product Pool Using Remote Sensing. Climatic Change, 134 (1-2): 45-58.

Huang, C., Ling, P.-Y., Zhu, Z. (2015). Quantification of North Carolina's forest disturbance and timber production using time series Landsat observations. International Journal of Digital Earth. pp. 1–23

Ling, P.-Y., Prince, S.D., Baiocchi, G., Dymond, C., Xi, W., Hurtt, G., (under review). Comparing Ecosystem Service Trade-offs between Different Forest Management Scenarios. Ecosphere.

Brown de Colstoun, E. C., C. Huang, P. Wang, J. C. Tilton, B. Tan. J. Phillips, S. Niemczura, P.-Y. Ling, and R. E. Wolfe. (2017). Global Man-made Impervious Surface (GMIS) Dataset from Landsat. Palisades, NY: NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC). https://doi.org/10.7927/H4P55KKF

GRANTS:

FFI Consultancy Contract (team member): US$30,000.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities, University of California, Irvine, fall 2006: $343; summer 2007: $900.

AWARDS:

Excellence in Graduate Research, Department of Geographical Sciences, UMD May, 2016

Honorable Mention. First Annual Graduate School Three-Minute Thesis Competition. Aug., 2014

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

American Geophysical Union

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