Chandi Witharana

Assistant Professor

Department of Natural Resources & the Environment

Education:

• PhD 2014 Remote, Sensing University of Connecticut
• MS 2009 GIScience, University of Connecticut
• BS 2005 Geology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Professional Experience:

• 2023-present Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Connecticut
• 2020 – 2023 Assistant Professor in Residence, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Connecticut
• 2018 – 2020 Assistant Research Professor, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Connecticut
• 2016 – 2018 Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Connecticut
• 2014 – 2016 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Ecology and Evolution, SUNY Stony Brook
• 2006 – 2013 Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant, Center for Integrative Geosciences, University of Connecticut
• 2005 – 2006 GIS Analyst, United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Courses Taught:

• NRE 5560 High Resolution Remote Sensing: Applications of UAS & LiDAR
• NRE 5525 Remote Sensing of the Environment
• NRE 5215 Introduction to Geospatial Analysis with Remote Sensing
• NRE 2000 Introduction to Geomatics

Research Interests:

My research efforts broadly capture methodological developments and adaptations to unseal faster, deeper, and moreaccurateanalysis of large volumes ofmulti-modalremote sensing dataforenvironmental, industrial,andagricultural applications. Myresearchscope is globaland has a greater emphasis on Arctic Permafrost remote sensing.I harness sub-meter resolution satellite imagery, AI, and high-performance computing resources to map permafrost landforms,monitorthaw disturbances, and assess risk to human-built infrastructure in the Arctic.Thinking beyond its research and industrial merits, I always value the strengths of remote sensing to address the requirements of thenextgenerationsciencestandards via the key elements from physics and engineering. To this end,I am actively seeking creative ways, such as imagery-enabled lesson plans to harness remote sensing in K-12 STEM education.