Afshin Amiri | Remote Sensing | Academic Brilliance Star Award

Mr . Afshin Amiri | Remote Sensing | Academic Brilliance Star Award 

Ph.D. student , Laval University , Canada

Afshin Amiri is an accomplished researcher specializing in remote sensing, GIS, and natural hazards. Born on August 30, 1991, he has developed a solid academic foundation and expertise in various areas, including agriculture, land use/land cover change detection, and water resources. Afshin’s research leverages advanced techniques such as radar interferometry and cloud computing to address pressing environmental challenges. His work has been recognized through publications in prestigious journals and ongoing contributions to the scientific community.

Profile

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award

  1. Diverse Expertise: Afshin Amiri’s research encompasses a wide range of critical topics within remote sensing and GIS, including flood susceptibility mapping, drought forecasting, and land cover change detection. This diversity showcases a deep understanding of the field and the ability to apply knowledge to various environmental challenges.
  2. Published Works: Afshin has authored several high-impact journal papers, demonstrating his ability to conduct rigorous research and contribute valuable insights to the scientific community. His publications in reputable journals like Journal of Hydrology and Science of The Total Environment indicate a strong research portfolio.
  3. Innovative Approaches: The use of advanced machine learning techniques and integration with remote sensing in his work shows a commitment to innovative and cutting-edge research. This is evident in his novel approaches to flood susceptibility mapping and drought zone forecasting.
  4. Ongoing Research: Afshin is actively involved in multiple research projects under review in prominent journals, indicating a continuous contribution to the field. His work on forest fires, soil erosion, and climate-driven water level estimation further underscores his commitment to addressing pressing environmental issues.
  5. Technical Proficiency: Afshin’s extensive skills in scientific software, satellite imagery processing, and cloud computing platforms like Google Earth Engine highlight his technical prowess, essential for modern environmental research.

Areas of Improvement 

  • Educational Background: While Afshin has solid academic credentials, improving his academic scores could have strengthened his profile. Enhancing this aspect, possibly through further education or certifications, could make his candidacy even more robust.
  • Independent Research: Many of Afshin’s published works are collaborative. While collaboration is essential, more independent research or leading-author publications could further demonstrate his leadership and expertise in the field.

Broader Impact: While Afshin’s research is impactful within the scientific community, emphasizing the broader societal or policy implications of his work could enhance his profile. This might include engagement in public outreach or contributions to policy-making in environmental management.

Education 

Afshin Amiri holds a BSc in Rangeland and Watershed Management from Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran, completed in 2013 with a GPA of 15.13/20. He furthered his education with an MSc in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System from the University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, in 2019, where he achieved a GPA of 16.5/20. His master’s thesis focused on identifying and characterizing active tectonics of the Dehshir fault using remote sensing data, earning a score of 18.5/20.

Experience 

Afshin Amiri has extensive experience in remote sensing and GIS, focusing on environmental monitoring and natural hazard assessment. His expertise includes radar interferometry, flood susceptibility mapping, and agricultural land management. Afshin’s research applies innovative tools such as machine learning and cloud computing (Google Earth Engine) to integrate various data sources and provide actionable insights for sustainable development and disaster risk reduction.

Research Interests 

Afshin Amiri’s research interests encompass a wide range of topics within remote sensing and GIS. He is particularly focused on:

  • Remote Sensing 📡
  • Agriculture 🌾
  • Geographic Information System 🗺️
  • Land Use/Land Cover Change Detection 🌍
  • Water Resources 💧
  • Cloud Computing (Google Earth Engine) ☁️
  • Natural Hazards 🌪️
  • Radar Interferometry (band C and L) 📶
  • Forest Monitoring 🌳
  • Flood Susceptibility Mapping 🌊

Awards 

Afshin Amiri’s contributions to the field have been recognized through various nominations and accolades, reflecting his commitment to advancing remote sensing and GIS applications. He continues to push the boundaries of research, with ongoing efforts being recognized by the academic community.

Publications 

Afshin Amiri has published several significant papers in renowned journals, showcasing his contributions to the field:

  • A Novel Machine Learning Tool for Current and Future Flood Susceptibility Mapping by Integrating Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (2024). Journal of Hydrology. Link. Cited by: 0 articles.
  • Advanced Forecasting of Drought Zones in Canada Using Deep Learning and CMIP6 Projections (2024). Climate. Link. Cited by: 0 articles.
  • Forecasting Monthly Fluctuations of Lake Surface Areas Using Remote Sensing Techniques and Novel Machine Learning Methods (2021). Theoretical and Applied Climatology. Link. Cited by: 20 articles.
  • Mapping the Spatial and Temporal Variability of Flood Susceptibility Using Remotely Sensed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and the Forecasted Changes in the Future (2021). Science of The Total Environment. Link. Cited by: 15 articles.
  • Prognostication of Shortwave Radiation Using an Improved No-Tuned Fast Machine Learning (2021). Sustainability. Link. Cited by: 10 articles.

         Lake Surface Area Forecasting Using Integrated Satellite-SARIMA-Long-Short-Term Memory Model (2021). Link. Cited by: 5 articles.

Conclusion

Afshin Amiri is a strong candidate for the Research for Academic Brilliance Star Award due to his diverse research portfolio, innovative methodologies, and technical expertise. His contributions to remote sensing and GIS, especially in flood mapping and environmental monitoring, are notable and impactful. While there are areas for potential growth, particularly in independent research and broader impact, his ongoing work and commitment to advancing the field make him a deserving contender for the award.

Na Chen – Remote Sensing – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Na Chen - Remote Sensing - Best Researcher Award

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

Professional Profiles

Early Academic Pursuits:

Na Chen's academic journey is marked by a strong focus on Geoinformation Science and Remote Sensing. She pursued a Ph.D. at Wageningen University, the Netherlands, from September 2019 to November 2023. Her research topic, "Assessing tropical forest disturbance and regrowth using earth observation sources," showcases her commitment to understanding and addressing environmental challenges. Prof. Martin Herold served as her supervisor in the Department of Environmental Sciences.

Prior to her Ph.D., Na Chen earned her Master's degree in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation with a specialization in natural resources management from the University of Twente, the Netherlands, graduating with a GPA of 8.3/10.0 in March 2019. Her thesis focused on the spatial-temporal relationship between elephant movement and surface water availability in the Amboseli ecosystem.

Professional Endeavors:

Na Chen's professional journey includes diverse roles that reflect her expertise in Geoinformation Science and Earth Observation. She is currently a Postdoc at MIT in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, starting in February 2024. Prior to her Ph.D., she gained practical experience as a Geospatial Analyst Intern with the SDG Integration Team at the United Nations Development Programme from August 2021 to January 2022.

Before venturing into the research domain, Na Chen contributed to education as a Geography Teacher, Class Supervisor, and Psychological Counseling Teacher at Ruijin No.2 Middle School in Jiangxi Province, China, from August 2014 to August 2017. She also served as a Geography Teacher and Class Supervisor at Xuwen No.1 Middle School in Guangdong Province, China, from August 2013 to August 2014.

Contributions and Research Focus On Remote Sensing:

Na Chen's research focus revolves around Geoinformation Science, Remote Sensing, and the assessment of tropical forest disturbance and regrowth. Her Ph.D. research, conducted under the supervision of Prof. Martin Herold, addresses critical issues related to environmental conservation and sustainable land use. In her role as a Geospatial Analyst Intern at the UNDP, Na Chen likely contributed to the integration of geospatial data for sustainable development goals. Her work showcases a dedication to leveraging geoinformation for addressing global challenges.

Accolades and Recognition:

While specific accolades and recognition details are not provided, Na Chen's academic achievements, including her high GPAs and rankings, suggest a history of recognition for her dedication and excellence in the field of Geoinformation Science. Her academic journey also included an exchange program at Murray State University in the U.S. in 2012-2013, where she excelled with a GPA of 3.6/4.0. Na Chen completed her Bachelor's degree in Geography at Gannan Normal University, China, from September 2009 to July 2013, ranking 1st among 68 students with a GPA of 3.4/4.0.

Impact and Influence:

Na Chen's impact is evident in her transition from academia to practical applications, as seen in her roles as a Geospatial Analyst Intern and, more recently, as a Postdoc at MIT. Her research focus on tropical forest disturbance and regrowth aligns with addressing pressing environmental concerns, showcasing her potential influence on sustainable land management practices.

Legacy and Future Contributions:

Na Chen's legacy is being shaped through her research, education, and contributions to geospatial analysis. As a Postdoc at MIT, her future contributions are anticipated to further advance the understanding of environmental changes and their implications, leaving a lasting impact on the field of Geoinformation Science. Na Chen's academic pursuits, professional endeavors, research focus, and potential impact collectively portray a dedicated individual making significant strides in the field of Geoinformation Science and Earth Observation. Her journey from teaching to impactful research at MIT showcases a commitment to addressing environmental challenges through cutting-edge technologies and methodologies.