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Validating UAS-based NDVI Data with Satellite Landsat Imagery for Bald Eagle Habitat Prediction in the Del Rio Springs Ecosystem
No full textVegetation health is commonly assessed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which can be derived from multispectral sensors operating at different spatial resolutions. Validating NDVI products across sensor platforms is essential to determine their reliability for environmental monitoring and habitat assessment. This research compares NDVI derived from moderate-resolution satellite imagery and high-resolution unmanned aircraft system (UAS) imagery collected over the same study area. Landsat imagery, provided through the joint USGS–NASA mission, was used to represent satellite-based vegetation patterns, while high-resolution multispectral data were acquired using a MicaSense sensor mounted on a UAS to capture fine-scale vegetation detail.
NDVI values from both datasets were evaluated for spatial correspondence using the coefficient of determination (R²) to quantify the proportion of satellite-derived NDVI variability explained by UAS-based observations. To further explore spatial vegetation structure at finer scales, a Getis-Ord Gi* hotspot analysis was applied to the MicaSense NDVI data to identify statistically significant vegetation clusters associated with potential bald eagle nesting and foraging habitats. This approach demonstrates the value of high-resolution UAS imagery for detecting localized vegetation patterns not fully resolved by satellite data.
Future work will incorporate atmospherically corrected Level-2 Landsat products and coordinate additional UAS data collections with Landsat overpass times to minimize illumination and viewing inconsistencies. Multi-season UAS imagery will also be acquired to assess temporal vegetation stress and change. These enhancements will improve cross-platform NDVI validation and strengthen the application of multisensor geospatial data for habitat prediction, landscape analysis, and long-term ecological monitoring
Paul Hoyt Nelson, Organizer
No full textPaul Hoyt Nelson currently leads the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission’s cybersecurity efforts as the senior cybersecurity advisor. This is a multifaceted architect and management role that includes leading the research and development of aviation cybersecurity capabilities as well as ensuring that all R&D work results in secure and securable technologies for NASA’s diverse stakeholders. He also serves as NASA’s principal aviation cybersecurity liaison to U.S. government agencies and industry stakeholders. In addition, Paul works as an integration program manager in the Airspace Operations and Safety Program where he addresses the difficulties in cross-cutting integration of security and communications across the airspace ecosystem.
He has previously been a NASA chief information security officer (CISO), director of research and development for the NASA Office of Inspector General Computer Crimes Division (CCD) (federal law enforcement), a CCD investigator and has been lead systems and security architect, as well as personnel manager, for many NASA and industry initiatives. With over 35 years of experience in systems, network and security architecture, as well development and operations, he has consistently designed his roles to include staff mentoring and development and program management. This has provided a strong basis for success in these fast-changing technology areas as well as helping to ensure the continued development of scarce talent.
Paul earned a dual degree from Bowling Green State University in computer science and chemistry. He holds a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification from (ISC)2 and a Seized Computer Evidence Recovery Specialist (SCERS) certification from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). He has publications with IEEE, SANS, and other security industry conference proceedings.https://commons.erau.edu/avcysecworkshop-bios-2025/1001/thumbnail.jp
Dr. Drew Hamilton, Participant
No full textDr. John A. Hamilton, Jr. is the Director of the Texas A&M University Cybersecurity Center and a professor of Computer Science and Engineering. Dr. Hamilton has a joint appointment with Idaho National Laboratory and serves as a guest scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. At Mississippi State University, he was the Founding Director for the Center for Cyber Innovation. Previously, he held an endowed chair as Alumni Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering with joint appointments in Industrial & Systems Engineering and Management at Auburn University, and was the Founding Director of the Auburn Cyber Research Center. Dr. Hamilton is a Fellow of the Society for Modeling & Simulation International (SCS), Past Chair of the Association for Computing Machinery’s (ACM) Special Interest Group on Ada (SIGAda) and Past Chair of ACM’s Special Interest Group on Simulation (SIGSIM). He is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
During his active-duty career in the United States Army, he served in several field artillery command and staff assignments and qualified in nuclear/chemical targeting. Dr. Hamilton served as the Director of the Officer Training Department at the US Army Computer Science School at Fort Gordon. He was a member of the Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Faculty of the United States Military Academy, West Point, where he served as the department research director. He led two DOD program offices with multimillion-dollar budgets.
Dr. Hamilton has a B.A. in Journalism from Texas Tech University, an M.S. in Systems Management from the University of Southern California, an M.S. in Computer Science from Vanderbilt University and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Texas A&M University. Dr. Hamilton is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval War College.https://commons.erau.edu/avcysecworkshop-bios-2025/1016/thumbnail.jp
David Hopkins, Participant
No full textDavid Hopkins is an innovative leader who guides companies in highly regulated industries taking technology to the “next level” as their businesses expand and grow through merger and acquisition. He is known for transforming vague issues into effective strategies and roadmaps that fully leverage the potential of evolving technology. With a unique ability to make the mundane exciting, he gets others to see the possibilities. David is articulate, persuasive and has a sense of humor that builds credibility and support.
Currently David serves as the Chief Information Officer for Mesa Airlines, a regional contract airline headquartered in Phoenix, AZ. David recently secured funding and resources to standup a major cybersecurity program for Mesa which will surpass TSA and newly announced, SEC cybersecurity requirements. Mesa Airlines operates a large fleet of regional jets and narrow body aircraft on behalf of our partners: United Express and DHL Express throughout the US, as well as Canada, Mexico, Cuba and the Bahamas. Previously David was the Vice President of IT Applications for CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA company, where David championed the firm’s technology and digital transformation.
Prior to that role, David rose through the ranks of American Airlines to division CIO/Managing Director of IT for Technical Operations (Tech Ops). At American Airlines David spearheaded the creation of the Project Management Office, effectively managing the integration of hundreds of Tech Ops systems through merger with US Airways. Earlier as an IT strategy expert, David championed a business-focused technology roadmap and overhauled the division’s governance structure.
David received a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Missouri and participated in the Director Education program of the Raj & Kamla Gupta Governance Institute, Drexel University. He holds two U.S. patents for RFID inventory management technology. Active in professional organizations and in the community, David is also an author, keynote speaker and Licensed Private Pilot.https://commons.erau.edu/avcysecworkshop-bios-2025/1023/thumbnail.jp
Tim Mitchell, Participant
No full textTim Mitchell is currently an Electrical Engineer at Boeing with a focus on Connected Cargo for the 777-8F using the first implementation of AI/MI on a part 25 certified aircraft. He has a total of 34 years of experience in HW Circuit Design and Certification, Avionics System Design, New Aircraft Customer Introduction, Field Service, Accident Investigation and Wireless Network Systems, and as an inventor. Pioneered Blink (BPL) effort at Boeing Field, Renton and Everett Flight Line Inventor/co-inventor on 70 issued US Patents and one Meritorious Invention Award Developed several IP Plans, including GATS #181, Autonomy #493, Off-Board Communications #200402 and supported Cyber #58 and (Plastic Fiber Optic) POFAN Five-time National Academy of Science Panelist/Chair, including: CRP Project Panel 03-75 - Preparing for Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft at Airports Mitigating Disruptive Interference in the Unlicensed Spectrum (W-Fi) at Airports DA0123 Member Panel/Chair on Improving Intelligibility of Airport Terminal Public Address Systems DA0714 Active Professional Engineering License in AK, AZ, FL, NM, OR, WA & WY Active PMP Certificationhttps://commons.erau.edu/avcysecworkshop-bios-2025/1033/thumbnail.jp
1967 5BFTS First Reunion Dinner. October 14.
No full textThe First Reunion Dinner for RAF pilots who had trained at 5BFTS during WW2 was held on October 14, 1967, at the Royal Aero Club, London. This image is annotated “Centre looking left”.https://commons.erau.edu/bfts-1967-dinner-images/1017/thumbnail.jp
1967 5BFTS First Reunion Dinner. October 14.
No full textThe First Reunion Dinner for RAF pilots who had trained at 5BFTS during WW2 was held on October 14, 1967, at the Royal Aero Club, London. This image is annotated “We watched films”.https://commons.erau.edu/bfts-1967-dinner-images/1025/thumbnail.jp
