PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING
June 2019
405
A N I N T E R V I E W
DR. QASSIM ABDULLAH
Dr. QassimAbdullah,
Ph.D., CP, PLS, is an
accomplished scien-
tist with more than
40 years of combined
industrial, research
and development,
and academic expe-
rience in analytical
pho t og ramme t r y ,
digital remote sensing, and civil and surveying
engineering. His current responsibilities include
designing and managing strategic programs
to develop and implement new remote sensing
technologies focused onmeeting the evolving needs
of geospatial users.
Currently, Abdullah is the Chief Scientist for
Woolpert Geospatial Services and a member of
Woolpert Labs team. In addition, he serves as an
adjunct professor at the University of Maryland,
Baltimore County, and at Penn State University,
teaching graduate courses on unmanned aircraft
systems (UAS), photogrammetry and remote
sensing.
His latest accomplishments include evaluating
and introducing Geiger and single photon lidar
to the geospatial industry and leading Woolpert
research activities in the field of UAS, its sensor
calibration, and its workflow development.
He was elected as an ASPRS Fellow in 2017 and
he is the recipient of several prestigious ASPRS
awards, such as the Lifetime Achievement Award,
the Photogrammetric (Fairchild) Award, the
Outstanding Service Award for publishing the
monthly column
“MappingMatters”
formore than
10 years, the Presidential Citation Award in rec-
ognition to his contributions in co-authoring the
new “Positional Accuracy Standards for Digital
Geospatial Data,” and the ASPRS Outstanding
Workshop Instructor award.
He is an ASPRS-certified photogrammetrist and
a licensed professional surveyor and mapper with
the states of Florida, Oregon, Virginia, and South
Carolina. He is also a certified thermographer by
the FLIR Infrared Training Center and a Certified
GEOINT Professional in Remote Sensing and
Imagery Analysis (CGP-R) by the United States
Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF).
What has been your most fulfilling accomplishment as a
scientist / engineer? Why?
My most fulfilling accomplishment so far has been authoring the new “AS-
PRS Positional Accuracy Standards for Digital Geospatial Data.” The last
standards were published in the early 1980s, so this was truly a lifetime
opportunity. I was glad that I was ready and well qualified for the task. It
provided a constructive and impactful conduit for the theoretical and prac-
tical knowledge I have learned over 40 years of professional experience.
What significant changes have you seen in your field during
your career?
The digital revolution has been the most significant change that I’ve ex-
perienced, and I have embraced it. It has introduced an exciting era that
has transformed our business. It transitioned us from an industry relying
solely on film cameras and analogue stereo plotters to the new era of digital
cameras, lidar, GPS, IMU, UAS, IFSAR, multispectral and hyperspectral
sensors, machine learning, image processing software, big data, cloud host-
ing and processing, etc. Truly, there are no limits to our new capabilities
when it comes to sensor design and data processing.
What would you consider to be the most important advice you
could offer a younger, upcoming scientist/engineer?
My sincere advice for young professionals is to embrace changes in technol-
ogy and be prepared for difficult challenges through hard work, the pursuit
of knowledge and a strong work ethic. Knowledge is not a status you reach
and conquer; it is an evolving process that does not age or retire. Practice
your profession with integrity and selflessness and be there for others when
they need you.
What do you think are the most pressing scientific needs that
should be met in the coming years? What would you like to
see scientific research accomplish?
Data analytics and data mining are going to be our biggest challenges. As
big data gets even bigger with the advancement of smart sensors, smart
transportation, smart cities, smart infrastructure and smart everything,
the need for analytical tools and algorithms grows even stronger. Mining
big data is the way to improve citizens’ lives and the environment we live in.
Have you seen many changes in ethical conduct within your
field during your career?
The change and ease of use of geospatial sensors and processing software
have drawn a new generation of mapping professionals, some of whom do not
fully understand the profession or the ethical commitments that come with it.
For example, the community of UAS-operators-turned-mappers. Due to UAS
affordability and the ease of use of the processing software, some individuals
started practicing mapping activities. Often, they try to sell products with
false accuracy statements derived from their ignorance and detour from the
reality of mapping practices. I advise them to invest in themselves and gain
the necessary knowledge they need to qualify them for the title of mapping
professionals.
