Breanne aims to explore how remote sensing methodologies can describe the presence and intensity of coastal flooding events. First, she will assess how coastal flooding can be identified, measured, and categorized using satellite imagery. She will devise EMR band ratios and spectral curves for known flooded areas and categorize flooding intensity using satellite images gathered from USGS Earth Explorer. Once generated, Breanne will evaluate different classification techniques to best categorize flooded areas and apply the best technique to weekly or monthly images to compare temporal differences in land area of flood intensity categories. She will create a seasonal curve of flooding vulnerability across Central Java province. This vulnerability index as a function of time will allow for estimating when communities are most susceptible to flooding events. Both “ground truth” imaging and ethnographic reporting will be used to verify this vulnerability metric on flooding severity when researching in Indonesia.
Experience
Breanne is a PhD student in Nutrition Epidemiology and Data Science at the Friedman School of Nutrition and Data Science. She expects to complete her studies in 2023. Breanne earned her B.A. and MPH prior to coming to Tufts. Before Tufts, she worked with the Food Aid Quality Review project and Nutrition Innovation Lab at the Friedman School. Prior to that, she was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the first Peace Corps health sector program in Ethiopia. Breanne has also worked in Emergency Medicine research at Boston Medical Center.
Current Studies and Future Goals
When asked what she found most meaningful about her field of study, Breanne responded with the following: “I love the interdisciplinary nature of the Friedman School. As a "NEDS" student, I'm able to learn and apply a diverse set of tools towards challenging problems related to climate change, food security, and nutrition. For me, understanding the complexity of these problems and identifying pathways forward is perhaps the most meaningful.”
When asked what interested her in becoming a TIE Fellow, Breanne responded with the following: “It's an opportunity to tackle a real-world environmental problem while putting my newly developed skills in Remote Sensing to practice with support from faculty at the Friedman School and at UEP. I hope this research will lay the groundwork for my doctoral dissertation, focusing on environment and nutrition. I strongly support TIE's mission and am excited to contribute and be a part of the TIE community.”
After Tufts, Breanne hopes to work in a government agency or research institute focusing on issues related to environment and nutrition, and sustainable adaptation strategies.
Fun Facts!
Breanne loves the outdoors and is always up for adventuring. When not doing school work, some of her favorite activities include hiking in the White Mountains or backcountry skiing the AMC huts in Maine.
Favorite song/artist: Prince: 1999
Favorite place you've visited: Victoria Falls, Zambia
Favorite thing you've seen: King Balthazar's tomb
Favorite course taken at Tufts: They’re all great!
