Dr. Julian Galvez is a robotics engineer with a PhD in robotics from QUT. He specializes in using drones, AI, and 3D mapping to help researchers and organizations explore remote areas and solve complex problems. His work includes finding signs of ancient life and studying vegetation in places like Western Australia and Antarctica. At QUT,…
Narmilan Amarasingam is an Associate Research Fellow at the University of Wollongong, working with the Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF) project. With his Ph.D. research in precision agriculture and vegetation mapping, which was recently submitted for examination at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Narmilan specialises in UAV-based remote sensing and artificial intelligence for environmental monitoring….
Ariella Arzey is a PhD student working in the University of Wollongong’s Palaeo Environment Research Laboratory to understand past climates and environments. Ariella looks at the interconnected processes of the global ocean and climate with a focus on the Great Barrier Reef over the Holocene. She is interested in the marine environment, marine organism health…
Cassie Newman is a PhD candidate based at the University of Wollongong. After completing a Bachelor degree, majoring in geospatial science and marine biology, she went on to complete a Masters degree in geospatial science where she used different tools to capture temporal changes in coastlines. Since then, Cassie has been working for the Otago…
Dr Mia Wege’s research uses novel developing technologies and quantitative methods to understand species distributions and relationships with their environment. Her research focuses on the distribution, habitat use, and foraging ecology of marine predators, specifically at-sea behaviour and its influence on population dynamics. Mia is contributing her expertise on Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii)—the only specially…
Dr Daniela Liggett is an Antarctic social scientist with research interests broadly relating to human engagement with the Antarctic and Antarctic environmental governance. Her current research focuses on Antarctic science-policy interactions, polar tourism and Antarctic environmental management and conservation. Her contributions to SAEF will draw on her strong linkages to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic…
Jonathan works on identifying environmental policy and planning solutions to global, regional, and national biodiversity conservation and sustainability challenges. He tackles these problems using spatial mathematical models and decision analysis and draws on his expertise in ecology, mathematics, and economics to integrate across disciplines. Jonathan is particularly interested in research that directly informs policy to…
Dr Alejandro Fontan graduated from the University of Zaragoza in 2017 with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering. Since July 2017, he has completed a six-month internship as a computer vision software engineer at the Austrian company Wikitude GmbH, which provides AR technology for smartphones, tablets and digital eyewear. Alejandro started a PhD…
Luz Pascal is a PhD student at QUT. She studies decision-making under uncertainty to support the management of ecological systems. Luz’s research combines artificial intelligence, mathematics, and operations research. She is currently working on a project to develop a method for making optimal biosecurity decisions for Antarctica. “I want to contribute to preserving Antarctica’s uniqueness.”…
Arthur Platel is a PhD student from the US focused on developing remote sensing methods to identify and map vegetation in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic Islands. His research combines high-resolution drone imagery with satellite data using machine learning to improve the accuracy and scale of vegetation monitoring. Arthur aims to deepen our understanding and aid…
After graduating from UQ with first-class honours and a double-degree in electrical engineering and physics, I worked for a year at Helimods, where we customised helicopters and small aircraft for special missions. During this period, I most enjoyed automating tasks, and as I am passionate about preserving the environment, I was looking for a PhD…
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which SAEF operates across Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to the land and water, and their deep and enduring understanding of how to care for Country. We are committed to learning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and building a brighter future together.
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