406
June 2019
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING
A N I N T E R V I E W
How important do you think interdisciplinary
collaboration will be for solving some of the
challenges that lie ahead in science?
We are witnessing a time of great scientific achievement and
vastly improved channels for communicating thoughts and
capabilities. The internet of things (IoT) made it possible for
any person, with the click of a mouse, to search a bank of giant
libraries on the other side of the world. Such open and easy
communication channels have made it possible for scientists
and researchers from different disciplines to exchange ideas
and thoughts and therefore cooperate toward greater innova-
tion. A good example on the interdisciplinary collaboration
is the introduction of UAS into our industry. This presented
a challenge to our photogrammetric community and the cur-
rent tools we are using. Because of the cooperation between
computer scientists, machine learning techniques and photo-
grammetrists, a new generation of algorithms and processing
software were developed to solve the challenges we are faced
with in processing UAS-based imagery. It is always beneficial
to investigate any problem from different perspectives to en-
rich the experience and to develop a creative solution.
What is the biggest open question in your field
of photogrammetry that will require the most
attention in the future?
I would not call it a question, but one of the biggest challeng-
es we are against or will be faced with is the need for machine
learning-based methods in data mining and data analytics.
Today’s space-based, ground and aerial sensors are acquiring
massive amounts of data, but we can only utilize a portion of
that data through our manual analyses and interpretation
routines. The intelligence community is already in dire need
of new ways of information extraction. The industry must pay
careful attention to this need by allocating enough resources
and grants for universities and research institutes to develop
smart and automated methods of information extraction.
Tell us about your educational background includ-
ing your doctoral research.
I obtained my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the
University of Basrah, Iraq. I came to the United States to
complete my master’s and doctoral degrees in photogramme-
try and geodetic engineering at the Civil Engineering Depart-
ment of the University of Washington, Seattle.
Do you have a particular teacher or professor who
inspired your love of science? Why?
I’ve had several of them over the years. In my youth, my father
was my mentor and biggest influence when it came to my in-
terest in how things work. He was a self-made inventor and he
got me interested in civil engineering when I helped him with
his construction contracting business. I am also grateful to my
PhD program supervisor, the late Dr. Sandor Veress of the
University of Washington. In more recent years, I have had
great admiration for my friend and colleague, Dr. Riadh Munjy
of CSU-Fresno, whom I consider a role model and a mentor
when it comes to learning. He is a genius in applied mathemat-
ics and geodetic sciences, including photogrammetry
What is the focus of your current research?
My focus is on anything that involves sensors and product
quality and accuracy. After GPS-controlled aerial triangula-
tion, lidar continues to fascinate me. Today, I spend a lot of my
research time on enhancing the quality of UAS-derived prod-
ucts and thermal survey for energy modeling and analysis.
Tell us about something we might see in our daily
lives that directly correlates to your work.
These days, a lot of people, articles, and specifications ref-
erence the new “ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards for
Digital Geospatial Data.” If you see that, it should remind
you of me. I am proud to be part of the team that authored it.
Give us an example of how multi-disciplinary
research directly contributed to your work.
My research on energy modeling and analysis using aerial
thermal cameras combined our mapping methods and tech-
niques with that of mechanical engineering through the joint
research project I pursued with students and faculty of the
University of Dayton. Woolpert developed the “Heat Score
Map” to educate consumers of power companies on the heat
efficiency of their homes.
What has your ASPRS membership meant to you?
ASPRS membership has provided me with a natural envi-
ronment for my professional and technical development.
Through the ASPRS journal, publications, webinars and
technical conferences, I have found opportunities to polish
my skills and knowledge.
Has ASPRS helped further your career? If so, how?
ASPRS offered me the opportunity to publish my monthly
column “Mapping Matters.” Answering the questions, I re-
ceive through the column has pushed me to read, investigate
and learn how to provide solutions or ideas. When you are out
there entertaining readers’ questions, you need to be ready to
provide guidance and advice to the people who seek it. Such
guidance and advice must be communicated precisely, accu-
rately and in a timely manner. There is a lot at stake when
you claim to be an authority on any subject; you must earn
respect and repeatedly prove yourself. The column and that
presence helped my career because it pushed me to excel.
When you’re not working on your research, what
do you do in your free time?
I enjoy running in my free time. It’s a great way to meet new
people, and I enjoy the challenge of trying to improve my times
or increase my distance. I’m fortunate to have several great
places to run near my home. I also enjoy hiking, gardening,
cooking, and artisan bread baking when I have the time.
