Driving Innovation in Environmental and Spatial Data Science
The University of Utah’s School of Environment, Society & Sustainability (ESS) is taking bold steps to integrate artificial intelligence into research and education.
Research and classes taught in ESS focus on the complex interactions between humans
and the environment. The School is making major investments to strengthen Environmental
Data Science, including hiring a new assistant professor in this rapidly growing field
and creation of a spatial data science track and Master’s degree.
ESS recently hired Dr. Sonam Sherpa, an Earth scientist specializing in satellite radar remote sensing, image analysis,
and signal processing. Sherpa applies these skills to measuring and modeling extreme
events, hydrology, and geo-hazards in the context of a changing environment. Her recent
work has focused on glacier mass changes in High Mountain Asia and on coastal subsidence.
Dr. Sherpa joins five ESS faculty developing remote sensing applications ranging from
AI modeling of drone imagery to map invasive species, to monitoring snow melt and
water resources using advanced hyperspectral remote sensing. This concentration of
remote sensing expertise makes ESS one of the strongest remote sensing research programs
in the country.
An example of AI mapping of invasive Russian olive along the Bear River. ESS grad student Hailee McOmber mapped 3.2 square km of Russian olive area long an 80 km stretch of the Bear River. The resulting map can be used for river habitat restoration efforts.
With guidance from a total 11 faculty representing spatial data science in the School,
ESS recently developed a Spatial Data Science track for the undergraduate students.
This track complements existing geographic information science and remote sensing
tracks. The School has also developed a newly approved Master’s of Science in Spatial
Data Science. This professional Master’s program provides students will a wide range
of skills, including geospatial applications of machine learning and AI, that are
in high demand by employers.
Environmental and Spatial Data Science continue to be core strengths in ESS, and new
investments underscore a long-term vision to expand leadership in AI-driven research
and education. By embracing these technologies, ESS is ensuring its work remains cutting-edge
while preparing the next generation of scientists to tackle global sustainability
challenges.
Special thanks to Professor Philip Dennison, founding director of ESS, for sharing this information and helping shape the story.
His leadership and vision have been instrumental in building ESS’s strength in environmental
and spatial data science.
For more information: dennison@ess.utah.edu