Paula Smit Email & Phone Number

Greater Denver Area - Remote

Served on ASPRS Board of Directors.

Denver, Co (Company Dissolved Dec 2003)

Developed and tested object-oriented solutions for image-based feature extraction and change detection using eCognition, ERDAS Imagine, and ArcGIS; Provided feasibility assessments in support of new business opportunities; Assisted in developing processes, including production flows and quality assurance measures.

Sioux Falls, Sd

Science liaison to NASA EOS user community. Performed NASA EOS imagery and product assessments. Coordinated and prioritized LP DAAC issues for the NASA missions Landsat, Terra, and Aqua. Active member of the Landsat Technical Working Group (LTWG), serving as LP DAAC representative present at all local and International LTWG meetings. Managed the data exchange interface between the LP DAAC and the USGS Landsat 7 Ground System, including the Landsat International Ground Stations. Performed LP DAAC software and hardware testing and checkout (I&T and OPS). Managed several LP DAAC re-engineering projects. Provided Web page development and maintenance for LP DAAC Intranet and USGS and NASA Internet sites. Received formal Raytheon Project Management training, Nov-Dec 2002; Awarded USGS Process and Quality Improvement Award, 2001; Awarded L-3 Space Science Achievement Award, 2001.

St. Petersburg, Fl

Principle scientist in charge of remote sensing research for the Florida Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). Managed the remote sensing team for the Coastal and Marine Resource Assessment (CAMRA) section, responsible for staffing, evaluations, tasking, schedule, and for the development of research objectives and future growth plans. Responsible for integrating remote sensing and GIS applications into FWRI research programs. Developed and facilitated access to ocean remote sensing products critical to FWRI’s research, including harmful algal bloom (HAB) research, fisheries, right whale migrations, and water quality monitoring. Led a multi-disciplinary team to develop ecosystem characterizations for the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA). Partnered with other agencies (USF/USGS) to form a Joint Remote Sensing/GIS facility at FWRI. Developed remote sensing/GIS techniques and data visualizations for Coastal Zone Management (Smit, PE&RS 2001, Cover and Highlight article). Responsible for imagery acquisitions and overseeing GIS mapping contracts for the State of Florida. Trained CAMRA and other FWRI scientists in GIS and remote sensing theory and applications. Awarded FWRI Award for the Enhancement of Scientific Programs, 2000; Awarded USFWS Office of Federal Aid Grant for monitoring Everglades’s restoration lands, 1999-2000. Received Facilitator training from the Center for Conflict Resolution in Tallahassee, 1999.

Newton, Ga

Developed complex models integrating remotely sensed data with GIS and field data to determine habitat suitability, animal distribution and migration patterns, and other statistical analyses; Developed remote sensing techniques for applications in landscape ecology and forestry management, including automated detection of flood damage, wetland change, and measures of habitat diversity; Collected and/or supervised the collection of GPS data delineating road networks, firebreaks, field sites, and other features of interest, and managed the integration of the GPS data into the Center's GIS; Supervised the creation of historical land use / land cover data from stereo aerial photography; Developed GIS base-layers for the 30,000+ acre center, including ground cover, canopy cover, soils, elevation model, ortho-imagery, hydrology, wildlife management zones, and fire management zones; Created data entry interfaces and databases for accurately recording and storing field data; ERDAS Award for Best Scientific Paper in Remote Sensing in 1998 (Michener and Houhoulis (maiden name), Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, 1997).

Assisted CRMS staff in teaching ArcInfo short courses, led remote sensing and GIS laboratory classes for UGA students, and performed remote sensing and GIS tasks for funded CRMS research projects, including photo-interpretation, GIS analysis, image processing, softcopy photogrammetry, and analytical photogrammetry.

Instructed the laboratory component of the Climatology course for UGA students.

Trained State of Florida's Marine Mammal team, transitioning my undergraduate thesis work into their operations; Produced spatial analysis models and cartographic products used to define and regulate manatee protection zones throughout the State of Florida. Promoted to Biologist position, responsible for developing geospatial data sets for the State of Florida's Marine Resources GIS (MRGIS); Produced spatial analysis models and cartographic products to assist with State of FL natural resource management, including regulating the shrimping industry in the GOM.

Ferry Reach, Bermuda

Performed experiments to isolate Ciguatera toxin through a series of Bioassays, using high powered liquid chromatography to fractionate several organic compounds. Performed fieldwork. Assisted on other experiments involving coral reef studies, including assessing the effects of petroleum on coral health.

Studied distributions of manatee and dolphin in Tampa Bay, FL using High-wing Cessna flights at 500 ft. Recorded animal locations and behavior on NOAA Nautical Charts for input in to ArcInfo in support of senior thesis and the State of Florida.

Assisted professorial staff on funded projects, conducting experiments on marine sediment transport in the Mediterranean Sea. Research included working with radioactive compounds such as Cesium.

Participated in a 2-year program that prepared undergraduate students for a career in academia, and involved leading a series of seminars and presentations. Included funding for undergraduate thesis research.

Horn Point, Md

Performed chemical analyses on phytoplankton, analyzing photosynthesis and productivity. Participated in an extended research cruise in the Sargasso Sea aboard the RV Cape Hatteras (out of Duke University), helping with plankton casts, CTD casts, box cores, and other deep sea sampling activities. Performed ELISA immunoassays and used radioisotopes to study dark reactions.

Assisted professorial staff with lessons, labs, and provided tutoring to Eckerd College students.

Educated youth in fire ecology, soil science, water chemistry, species identification, orienteering, and animal tracking.

Attended senior year of high school at the Kathe Kollwizt Schule, hosted by the Greiner family in Isenhagen (Hannover), Germany.

M.A, Geography (Geospatial Sciences)

Activities and Societies: Phi Kappa Phi, Athens Area Volleyball LeagueMaster's Thesis on Softcopy Photogrammetry

B.Sc, Marine Biology

Activities and Societies: Ford Foundation Scholar, Sigma Xi, Art MinorUndergraduate Thesis on Managing Manatee protection areas using GIS

Major, Natural Sciences

Activities and Societies: Outing Club (hiking, rivercraft, spelunking)