Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day: Lassonde professor advances forest research with new grants
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To celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering is highlighting the research efforts and achievements of its women faculty members. The School ranks 6th in Canada and 3rd in Ontario for the proportion of women-led publications in mathematics and computer science. Women bring determination, passion and empathy to the field of engineering, while diversifying academic and professional environments and inspiring future generations.
Baoxin Hu, professor in the Earth & Space Science & Engineering department, is an accomplished researcher at Lassonde who recently secured significant funding from the Canadian Space Agency and Forestry Futures Trust Ontario.
Receiving three grants in total, Professor Hu will use this financial support to advance forest management research through remotely sensed data analysis and the development of various AI technologies.
Learn more about the funded projects below.
Accurate forest carbon quantification from SEO to drive nature-based climate solutions
Through funding from the Canadian Space Agency, Professor Hu is leading a multidisciplinary team to address and create solutions for carbon stock in forest ecosystems. This project is motivated by the urgent demand for accurate information regarding carbon sequestered forest ecosystems, as well as the need for highly qualified personnel (HQP) with particular skills and knowledge to help tackle climate change. Together, the research team will exploit Satellite Earth Observation (SEO) data to develop artificial intelligence (AI) methods that can accurately quantify carbon flux and stocks in Canadian forests.
This project will help improve carbon assessment in Canadian forests and inform combative solutions, contributing to Canada’s efforts toward climate solutions and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: 13, climate action and 15, life on land.
Lichen mapping facilitated by Single Photon LiDAR (SPL)
With funding from Forestry Futures Trust Ontario, Professor Hu is leading a project aimed at improving sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation, by developing AI methods to survey a crucial organism in Canadian forests, called lichens. These organisms play many roles in forest ecosystem dynamics, like serving as a dietary source for various animals and supporting water and nutrient cycling.
Monitoring the quantity of lichens in forest environments is challenging, but essential for maintaining ecosystem health and diversity. Using single photon LiDAR (SPL) data, Professor Hu and her team will map and characterize lichens in the Ontario Boreal Forest and use this information to develop AI methods that can effectively predict lichen distribution in other forest ecosystems.
Methods developed through this project pose great advantages to forest managers and decision makers who would have the capacity to easily evaluate the presence of lichens and perform necessary action to improve forest maintenance.
Use of RPAS and AI technologies to classify managed forest stands by silviculture intensity
This project, funded by Forestry Futures Trust Ontario, will explore drone-based AI technologies, referred to as remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), and their ability to analyze conditions of forest ecosystems. Specifically, these RPAS will collect data concerning the effects of silviculture, which is the practice of controlling the growth and composition of forests through various methods.
By collecting this data, different forest ecosystems can be classified based on the intensity of silviculture. This classification system would enable forest managers to gain a comprehensive understanding of forest environments, including the effects that silviculture may have on activities such as wood harvesting.
Lassonde’s Commitment to Supporting Women in Engineering
Professor Hu’s achievements are a testament to the impactful work being done by women at Lassonde. She is one of many women demonstrating excellence in engineering through her passion, expertise and solutions-driven research.
Lassonde is committed to supporting women in engineering through various programs and educational opportunities. Learn more about the ways Lassonde provides support, resources and opportunities for women in science and engineering.