The Robert N. Colwell Memorial Fellowship for 2007 has been awarded to Michael Falkowski. He is a doctoral candidate in the College of Natural Resources, with specializations in remote sensing and forestry at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho
This Award is presented by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) through the ASPRS Foundation from funds donated by students, associates, colleagues and/or friends of Robert N. Colwell. The Award consists of a check in the amount of $4,000, a certificate, and a one-year student or associate membership in ASPRS.
The purpose of the Award is to encourage and commend college/university graduate students or post-doctoral researchers who display exceptional interest, desire, ability, and aptitude in the field of remote sensing or other related geospatial information technologies, and who have a special interest in developing practical uses of these technologies. The Award is made to a graduate student (master’s or PhD level) currently enrolled or intending to enroll in a college or university in the United States or Canada, or a recently graduated post-doctoral researcher, who is pursuing a program of study aimed at starting a professional career where expertise is required in remote sensing or other related geospatial information technologies.
Falkowski received his undergraduate degree in Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Following graduation, he spent several years as a GIS technician/specialist for governmental agencies in Wisconsin. Falkowski’s master’s research focused on the use of ASTER satellite imagery and gradient modeling for mapping and characterizing wildland fire fuels; he received his degree in December 2004.
His PhD research uses data from lidar and high-resolution hyperspectral/multispectral airborne sensors to improve the accuracy of remote estimates of individual tree parameters (such as height, crown diameter and stem diameter), to facilitate the extrapolation of fine-scale forest measurements to broader scales, and to provide a means of accurately quantifying non-timber biomass (such as shrubs and woody debris) in forest ecosystems. This research also involves the use of novel data processing techniques (such as data fusion and 2-dimensional wavelet analysis) and innovative statistical prediction and imputation strategies (e.g. mixed-effects models and classification and regression trees). The ultimate goal of this research is to provide land managers with practical methods of monitoring and predicting future carbon stocks; necessary information for understanding the global carbon cycle.
Falkowski has an exceptional record of scholarship, possesses an impressive list of published and pending papers and presentations, received a number of academic honors and awards, and is a member of several professional and scientific societies, including ASPRS.
The presentation of the Award will take place at the ASPRS 2007 Annual Conference being held in Tampa, Florida in May.
Founded in 1979, The ASPRS Foundation, Inc. is an independent 501 (c) 3 organization established to provide grants, scholarships, loans and other forms of aid to individuals or organizations pursuing knowledge of imaging and geospatial information science and technology, and their applications across the scientific, governmental, and commercial sectors. The Foundation is the primary funding source for all non-sponsored awards and scholarships recognized by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.
Founded in 1934, ASPRS is an international professional organization of 6,000 geospatial data professionals. ASPRS is devoted to advancing knowledge and improving understanding of the mapping sciences to promote responsible application of photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographic information systems and supporting technologies.