From Edinburgh to the European Space Agency – MSc Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management
Summary
Amy graduated with an MSc in Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management in 2019. Since then, she has worked as an early career researcher for the European Space Agency, completed a PhD utilising Earth Observation datasets to understand dynamics of water-borne pathogens, and secured a position as a Research Fellow in Disease Forecasting. Her work highlights the impactful use of Earth Observation data in climate science and public health, including innovations in disease forecasting and climate change research.
My MSc in Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management provided me with the skills and expertise necessary to head straight from Edinburgh to the European Space Agency. As I finished my Masters, I secured a place on their Young Graduate Trainee scheme, specifically a 1-year placement within the ESA Climate Office as an early career researcher in ‘Earth Observation Exploration for Climate Change Science’.
One of my key projects while working within ESA’s Climate Office allowed me to pursue a key research interest of mine (climate change and health), with an opportunity to fully exploit all the data and expertise at my fingertips. I was exploring the capabilities of Earth Observation (EO) time series data of Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) to forecast environmentally-driven cholera outbreaks in coastal India, using machine learning models. This involved using a range of EO-derived variables, including sea surface temperature, sea salinity, chlorophyll a concentration (ocean colour), soil moisture and sea level. The project highlighting the capabilities of these EO variables in allowing us to forecast cholera outbreaks (from space!) to an 89% accuracy.
Alongside this project, I was able to gain insights into how a space agency functions and how the data goes from the satellite signal to a usable product for climate modellers and beyond. Since this 1-year posting, I have continued to engage in activities with ESA, from being a Space4Climate ambassador at COP events, to facilitating a EO4Health user forum bringing together EO and health experts to bring these worlds together.
My next steps after ESA were to pursue a PhD. My research continued along the same theme – using EO datasets to understand dynamics of water-borne pathogens, but this time adding some extra elements including genomic data, to understand how these pathogens adapt to changing climates. As part of this research, I was able to travel around the world to present at conferences, such as the Living Planet Symposium, and publish articles in highly-cited journals.
After completing my PhD, I then secured a position as a Research Fellow in Disease Forecasting at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where I have now switched to vector-borne disease forecasting working with international partners. Specifically, I am working on the D-MOSS dengue forecasting satellite-based model in Southeast Asia – a project originally funded by ESA and the UK Space Agency that uses both EO-derived environmental and socioeconomic data to operationally forecast dengue fever outbreaks.
The uses of Earth Observation in the world of climate change and health are endless and growing, so this is a really exciting place to be.
Looking back, it seems these last few roles were all possible due to the initial skillset I developed in my MSc in Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management, which I have been able to apply continuously to the different roles and circumstances.
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Learn more about our MSc in Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management
Our MSc Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management will help you lead your own future in Earth Observation by exposing you to latest research and industrial innovation, and helping you develop skills to tackle global challenges.
You will do this by combining satellite data, technology and science to find new solutions to the World’s biggest challenges.
MSc Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management
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