Duncan Anderson Email & Phone Number

Urbana, Illinois, United States

Analyzed post-wildfire vegetation diversity response in Alaskan tundra using novel remote sensing methods.Created plant community map of tundra vegetation from plant cover data to guide post-wildfire analysis.Master’s thesis on post-fire diversity accepted in a leading journal (Environmental Research: Ecology).Curated multiple field and imagery data sources for an accuracy assessment of a peatland map across Alaska.Performed time-series analysis of landslide occurrence in Southeast Alaska using Google Earth Engine, relating landslide frequency to intense rainfall activity.Planned and conducted drone photogrammetry campaign of landslides and rivers in British Columbia, CA.

Champaign, Illinois, United States

I led introductory GIS lab sections using interactive activities focused on spatial analysis, open data, data visualization, and cartography. Across all three semester taught, I was ranked excellent in instructor evaluations by students.

Transitioned research GIS data to ArcGIS Online while standardizing metadata to improve internal data documentation, scientific collaboration, and public data access.Provided ad-hoc mapping and analysis support, including remote sensing, web mapping, and live dashboard development in Arc GIS Online.Developed field data collection tools for internal and volunteer use with ArcGIS Online and Survey 123.Mapped habitat and shoreline change for a coastal resilience project involving aerial imagery interpretation, historical map georeferencing and digitization, and ground truthing site visits.Trained agency staff in ERSI field data collection apps and workflows developed throughout the position.

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

Our project aims to understand how various kind of agriculture have changed in the Uxeau commune of France, over time. Our forestry component spans from 1834 to current day.Within the project, I assisted with a broad analysis of forest use change over time from 1820 to current day, with a focal area on using remotely sensed data for detailed land use change from the 1980's to current day in Burgundy, France. I worked with an interdisciplinary team that has worked on this project for decades with the goal of producing an in-depth book on rural change in this region. My work was performed in both QGIS and ArcMap.As an assistant to the forest analysis, I worked on developing spatially-derived statistics from digitized land cover represented in cadastral maps dating back to 1759. These maps limited us to vector data in older time periods, but allowed us to roughly track forest cover over almost three centuries. I also performed quality assessments on these digitizations to ensure they are accurate to their source map and are appropriate to use, making adjustments as needed.I also initiated a land use change analysis from 2002 to 2013, where I used remotely sensed data to perform land use and land cover classifications, then combining them to produce a change map. This allowed us to see the net change of land use types. Combining this with a project in my remote sensing class stretched my experiential learning and guided me in how to use different satellite data sources.

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

I performed sample processing, equipment preparation, data organization, and lab safety maintenance. Helped scout a 7,400-acre land treatment site in Jacksonville, NC with graduate staff to identify groundwater wells and deploy data loggers, coordinating with site employees. Using historical records, I created a database of 19 years of irrigation and well data from records to guide team hydrological analysis. I received a $480 Spring 2018 grant from the Office of Undergraduate Research with Dr. Nichols’ guidance to conduct my own plant uptake study of hazardous chemicals, which I am currently conducting.

Upton, Ny

I worked on a project to examine how remote sensing through spectral and thermal data can be used on crops to understand their traits as well as make inference on their health when under stress. As part of this, we manipulated zucchini with a source-sink treatment where we constantly removed their fruits and with a drought treatment, to examine responses to different stresses. My mini-project was analyzing the thermal data to understand the reaction of our drought treatment. This allowed me to grow my skills with R statistical software and thermal measurement principles. Working at Brookhaven has been a great experience to meet other undergraduates and researchers from different parts of the country and even from abroad!

Washington, Nc

My primary responsibility was to coordinate the Sound Rivers' affiliate Swim Guide program, where volunteers from Greenville, NC to Belhaven, NC collected water samples at popular recreational sites and reported our results with the Lower Neuse set of results Fridays with videos. I worked with the Lower Neuse intern, Katie McQuillan, to refine the sampling process, train volunteers, and develop a summary of the program with the data collected by the end of my internship. In addition to Swim Guide, I wrote grant applications for additional funding in future years, conducted a Muddy Water Watch aimed at assisting regulatory agencies identifying noncompliance with sediment and erosion control practices at construction sites, and scouted data sources for a state of the river report card.

Master'S Of Geography And Gis

Master's student studying the link between atmospheric rivers and landslide severity. I also instruct Introduction to GIS labs.

Master'S Of Geography And Gis

Master's student studying the link between atmospheric rivers and landslide severity. I also instruct Introduction to GIS labs.

Bachelor'S Degree, Environmental Technology And Management

Activities and Societies: Alumni and Advisory Board Member of the College of Natural Resources Engaging Leaders Program Pursuing a minor.