People

Principal Investigator

Jon uses time series remote sensing to understand how global environmental change is altering transforming terrestrial ecosystems and carbon cycling in climate-sensitive biomes. He is particularly interested in how wildfires, heat, and drought are driving change in the far north, the semi-arid western US, and urban systems.

[google scholar] [cv]

Postdoctoral Researcher

Wanwan is interested in remote sensing applications and geospatial analytics for environment and agriculture with statistical and machine/deep learning approaches to uncover patterns and underlying processes. Wanwan is also interested to predict or simulate future patterns and processes while considering interactions among natural systems and human activities.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Jiaming's research focuses on monitoring forest ecosystem dynamics using remote sensing and geospatial analysis. In particular, she is interested in developing models and methodologies to map ecosystem composition and structure by leveraging large-scale remote sensing datasets, high-performance computing, and machine learning, contributing to conservation and sustainable land management.

Ph.D. Student

Yahampath joined the DYCE lab in the fall of 2023 to extend his research work in ecosystem monitoring and modeling natural cycles. He is interested in utilizing remote sensing imagery and geospatial data science in his research and also enjoys working on topics where water intersects with vegetation in a spatial context.

Ph.D. Student

Hannah’s research interest is to understand how the drying of the Great Salt Lake has changed and will change the timing of the spring algal bloom. She wants to understand whether these changes will have cascading effects on the food web of the lake. Her work will incorporate field, laboratory, modelling, and remote sensing work to understand past environmental changes and build predictive models.

Ph.D. Student

Hope's research explores the patterns that emerge at the intersection of forests, fire, human influence, and climate change in North America. Her work leverages remote sensing and modeling techniques to investigate forest recovery and forecast the impacts of global environmental shifts. Outside of research, Hope might be studying Zen Buddhism, tending to her garden, or with her dog, Bjorn.

Undergraduate Researcher

Emilie is a second year computer science and applied mathematics student at the U. She really enjoys reading, gardening, and learning new languages. She is interested in learning the effects of climate change and how to better preserve the environment

Emilie joined the lab via the University of Utah Science Research Initiative!

Undergraduate Researcher

Tyler is an undergraduate at the University of Utah, majoring in Biology with an Emphasis in Anatomy and Physiology and is a part of the SRI program. He is interested in researching the effects of climate change on forests and how that can be mediated through analyzing satellite imagery of forests over time.

Tyler joined the lab via the University of Utah Science Research Initiative!

Wilkes Scholar

Co-advised by Marysa Lague

Makayla is a senior undergraduate studying biology and atmospheric sciences at the U. Her research interest is in understanding how climate and vegetation patterns can influence each other and what impact those fluctuations can have in a changing climate. Outside of research, Makayla enjoys learning new hobbies, reading, and spending time in nature.

Research Assistant

April, a recent University of Utah graduate, is a biogeographer fascinated by historical and ongoing environmental change. She is interested in using remote sensing to monitor ecosystem dynamics and analyzing biological proxies to contextualize past environmental disturbances. Her previous work has incorporated dendrochronology, palynology, and charcoal analysis. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, climbing, skiing, canyoneering, and reading with her cat, Strawberry.

Former Lab Technician

Now a Ph.D. student at Northwestern University!