Photo: Associate Director, Center for Geospatial Research Adjunct Associate Professor, Geography Contact info Email: sbernard@uga.edu Office: Geography-Geology Building, Room 319 Center for Geospatial Research (CGR) Other Affiliations: Center for Virtual History (eHistory), University of Georgia Georgia Coastal Research Council Latin American and Caribbean Studies Institute (LACSI), University of Georgia Phenomics and Plant Robotics Center (P2RC), University of Georgia Research Interests: My primary research involves the analysis of remotely-sensed and other geospatial data applied to environmental studies and includes time series of remotely sensed images, ground-based climate data and derived metrics to assess vegetation responses to natural and anthropogenic-related environmental changes. I am particularly interested in the use of spectral bio-indicators to investigate responses of vegetation to extreme climatic events, including changes in photosynthetic potential and primary productivity associated with reductions in water availability to plants. Since 1989, I have worked on the interface between applications and the development of new software solutions for the geospatial field. My areas of expertise include geography, software development and the design and implementation of large geospatial projects for government, industry and academia. I am an FAA certified remote pilot and have been using unmanned aerial systems for remote sensing since 2013. My works at UGA included the creation of the 3D Immersion and Geovisualization system (3DIG) and the Disruptive Geospatial Technologies Lab (DiGTL), both dedicated to software/hardware solution development and applications of unmanned aerial systems, augmented, mixed and virtual reality, applied to acquisition and exploration of geospatial data. Courses I teach include remote sensing, with emphasis on the use of unmanned aerial systems and sensors, as well as the application of geographic information systems to multiple fields. Education Education: Ph.D. Geography, University of Georgia Certification in Geographic Information Sciences, University of Georgia M.Sc. Remote Sensing, Brazilian National Institute for Space Research B.Sc. Agricultural Engineering, University of Viçosa, Brazil Grant Support Grants: United States Army Corps of Engineers. “Evaluating Physical, Chemical, and Biological Impacts from the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project” – Database, Software and Hardware Infrastructure. PI. U$1,535,560. (2013-2024) United States Department of Agriculture. "AI Innovations for UAS-based biomass estimation and regional extrapolations in the Gulf Atlantic Coastal Plain". Co-PI. U$370,655. (2022-2025) Learning Technologies Grant - UGA. “Experiential Learning in Virtual Reality: A Novel VR Course Incorporating Open Neuroimaging Data and Algorithms for Personalized Instruction” Co-PI. U$24,696 (2024-2025) Interdisciplinary Seed Grant Program – UGA. "Rubber-Modified Asphalt- A Potential Urban Heat Island Mitigation Strategy". Co-PI. U$59,800 (2024-2025) Rapid Interdisciplinary Proposal– UGA. "Leveraging Data Science for Enhanced Forestry Management: An Integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems, GeoAI Insights, and Immersive Augmented/Virtual Reality Visualizations”. PI. U$9,960 (2024-2025) Learning Technologies Grant - UGA. ““Education for the Digital Age: Creating Experiential Learning Opportunities at the Intersection Between Drones, Remote Sensing, Augmented/Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence” PI. U$24,873 (2023-2024) National Endowment for Humanities. “Mapping the People of Early America”. Co-PI. U$278,363 (2018-2023) Enterprise Information Technology Services - UGA: Unmanned aerial vehicles, remote sensors and other data collection equipment in support of teaching, learning and research in the Geosciences. PI. U$170,000+ (2022) Learning Technologies Grant - UGA. “Integrating Multiple Technologies into Immersive, Experiential and Inclusive Solutions for Teaching and Learning in the Geosciences and Other Fields” PI. U$24,973 (2022-2023) Learning Technologies Grant - UGA. “Supporting Safe and Inclusive Virtual and Augmented Reality Educational Experiences at the University of Georgia” Co-PI. U$19,796 (2022-2023) Learning Technologies Grant - UGA. “Integrating State-of-the-Art Technologies to Bridge Physical and Digital 3D+Time Worlds for Immersive and Experiential Teaching and Learning in the Geosciences”. PI. U$24,974 (2021-2022) Learning Technologies Grant - UGA. “Creating Augmented and Virtual Reality Applications and Instructional Content for Mobile Devices to Enhance Face-to-Face and Remote Teaching and Learning at UGA”. PI. U$24,258 (2020-2021) Learning Technologies Grant – UGA. “Training the Next Generation of Geoscientists: Using Innovative Teaching and Learning Strategies Based on Cutting-Edge Technologies to Prepare Students to Monitor a Changing Planet”. PI. U$24,989 (2019-2020) Learning Technologies Grant – UGA. “Using State-of-the-Art Technologies to Explore Modified Perception: Creating Open Educational Resources Based on the Psychology of Virtual and Augmented Reality”. Co-PI. U$22,582 (2019-2020) Learning Technologies Grant – UGA. “Innovative Technologies in Teaching and Learning: Incorporating Recent Developments in Augmented Reality into Active Learning at UGA”. PI. U$24,989 (2018-2019) Office for the Vice President of Research – UGA. "Athens – Layers of Time (Phase II): Serving Datasets and Tools for Time-Series Visualization of Historical and Contemporary Geospatial Data in Athens, Georgia”. PI. U$28,024 (2018-2019) Office of International Education and Office of the Vice President for Research - UGA. "Multiscalar Participatory Conservation: Biocultural Heritage for Landscape Services in Sustainable Development Planning in the Andes". Co-PI U$8,000. (2018) Learning Technologies Grant – UGA. “A 3D Active Teaching Tool for Learning about Atmospheric Sciences (3D-ATTLAS): Incorporating Augmented Reality into a Cutting-Edge Weather and Climate Teaching Solution at UGA”. PI. U$21,014 (2017-2018) National Parks Service. “Photointerpretation Support for Vegetation Mapping at Six National Park Units of the Southeast Coast Network”. Co-PI. U$219,588 (2016-2018) The Carter Center. “Geospatial Contributions to Worldwide Elimination of River Blindness (Onchocerciasis): Using Earth Observations to Locate At-Risk Yanomami Populations and Airstrips in the Amazon Region”. PI. U$ 39,850 (2016-2017) Office for the Vice President of Research - UGA. “Dynamic Time-Series Visualization of the Cultural and Natural Landscape Surrounding Baldwin Hall: 1800s to Present”. Co-PI. U$40,351 (2017) Learning Technologies Grant – UGA. “Bringing 3D Immersion through Virtual/Augmented Reality and Geovisualization Technologies to Geography-Geology Courses”. PI. U$24,949 (2016-2017) NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) (two proposals awarded: 2014-2016). PI. U$146,764 “
