The 2007 Photogrammetric Award (Fairchild) is awarded to Dr. George Y. G. Lee, who has an extremely broad knowledge of current geospatial technologies, digital sensor systems, and methods for acquiring all types of geospatial data; experience in systems and techniques development; development of data standards and quality assurance programs; the application of remote sensing and geographic information systems; and development of calibration, validation, and verification procedures for sensor systems.
The Photogrammetric Award (Fairchild) was established in 1943 to stimulate the development of the art of aerial photogrammetry in the United States. This award was originally sponsored by the Loral Fairchild Corporation and is now supported by Lockheed Martin. The award will be presented during the ASPRS 2007 Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida May 7-11. It includes an engraved plaque.
Lee received his BS (Mathematics and Statistics), MS (Photogrammetry and Surveying), and PhD (Photogrammetry) from the University of California, Berkeley in 1972, 1973, and 1994 respectively. He started his career at the USGS in 1972 conducting, among other things, QC on products from the original orthophotoscopes. Over the course of his 32 plus years, Lee managed research groups conducting investigation and development activities in modern geospatial technologies, digital photogrammetry, digital sensor systems, digital orthophoto products and procedures, image processing techniques, database methods, GIS applications, and standards development.
For the last 11 years Lee has managed the USGS orthophoto programs. He is considered the founder of the USGS Digital Ortho Program and managed the program that resulted in the acquisition of nationwide coverage of 1 m orthoimagery for the conterminous United States. He has also been a key participant in the National Digital Ortho Program (NDOP), a multi-agency consortium that plans for the acquisition of nationwide orthoimagery. In the course of this activity he established Federal Architect and Engineering contracts to produce digital orthophoto products and services for the National Mapping Program. He was the USGS technical lead on a cooperative research project with Microsoft’s Research Group Corporation that resulted in the TerraServer technology to serve imagery data over the Internet.
Most recently, Lee has been an instrumental force in the development of remote sensing instrument and product validation and certification standards for the USGS, the nation and potentially the world. Further, his contributions to development of standards of practice for evaluating and certifying remote sensing imagery products will contribute extensively to satisfying the photogrammetric requirements of Government agencies and programs.
Lee is a Certified Photogrammetrist (ASPRS). He also was awarded both the Department of the Interior’s Superior Service and Meritorious Service Awards.
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.
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.