Education

Ph.D. in Geography (Expected 2026)

(2022 - Present) The Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA.

Advisor: Dr. Guido Cervone

Master of Science in Hydrology

(2013 - 2015) University of Feiburg, Germany

Thesis: Assessing the impact of water balance dynamics on peatland CO2-emissions using thermal infrared satellite imagery.
Description: Method to examine groundwater level changes in peatland areas, based on temperature contrasts between water saturated and non-saturated zones, using thermal infrared satellite imagery.

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Natural Sciences and Minor in Hydrology

(2009 - 2013) University of Feiburg, Germany

Thesis: Water Dynamics in the Zamora - Chinchipe Province of Ecuador.
Description: End-member-mixing-analysis to determine water contributions in a tropical streamwater system and a physiochemical characterization thereof.

Professional Development

  • 2023 FAA Airman Certificate. Remote Pilot for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems. PA, USA.
  • 2022 Official Ecuadorian recognized Drone piloting certificate from Hobby Ecuador Drones. Quito, Ecuador.
  • 2020 Drone piloting certificate from ECUADRONES Drone piloting School. Quito, Ecuador.
  • 2019 Ecological Niche Modeling with Emphasis on Invasive Species. Two week workshop taught by Ikiam University, Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador.
  • 2017 First Aid Training. Red Cross, Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador.
  • 2016 Drone photogrammetry and piloting. Weeklong drone photogrammetry and piloting course taught by faculty from the University of Cuenca. Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador.
  • 2014 CUAHSI Hydrologic Information System (HIS) framework. Virtual webinars.
  • 2008 The Nashville Voices that Matter Web Design Conference. Nashville, Tennessee
  • 2003 Advanced Open Water Diver Certification. PADI, Manta, Ecuador

Research Tools and other Skills

Statistics, Data Analysis and Modelling
  • Advanced: R, Excel, eCognition, SPSS, HBV Light.
  • Intermediate: Python, PHP, JavaScript, PHREEQC.
Geographical Information Systems
  • QGis (with GDAL, SAGA, GRASS and Python libraries) and ArcGis.
Drone Imaging
  • Piloting FAA Airman Certificate. Remote Pilot for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, PA, USA. Piloting Ecuadorian Drone piloting licence: Ecuadrones. Photogrammetry Agisoft Photoscan, Mappilot, Pix4D.
Ecological Niche Modelling
  • Maxent.
Relational Database Management Systems
  • Access, MySQL, PostgreSQL.
Web Development and Graphic Design
  • Advanced: HTML, CSS, Joomla, Wordpress, Miva, VirtueMart. Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash.
  • Intermediate: JAVASCRIPT, PHP, XML.
Word Processors and Reference Managers
  • Advanced: LATEX, Microsoft Office, Mendeley, Citavi.
Spoken and written Languages
  • Native: Spanish.
  • Fluent: English, German.
  • Intermediate: Italian, French.