Swati Singh, an Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife & Environment (CFWE) doctoral student under the mentorship of Lana Narine, CFWE professor of geospatial analytics, has been named a grand prize winner of the 2024 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Michael H. Freilich Data Visualization Competition. This prestigious recognition highlights Singh’s exceptional ability to communicate complex scientific data through innovative visualizations, showcasing her significant contributions to the field.
The AGU Michael H. Freilich Data Visualization Competition is known for its rigorous selection process, with participants from around the globe competing to present the most impactful and creative visualizations of Earth and space data. The AGU serves as a space for earth and space scientists alike to share research and connect with like-minded communities. This unique program offers students the chance to showcase innovative methods for visualizing data and presenting complex issues in earth, space and related scientific fields while enhancing their skills in communicating science to a wide audience.
As one of the grand prize winners, Singh’s work was selected for its technical excellence and ability to effectively convey important scientific insights. Her winning visualization focuses on her research involving the use of drones, field data and machine learning techniques to detect and map the spread of brown spot needle blight, a disease affecting pine forest ecosystems. By combining these technologies, Singh has developed a powerful tool for forest management with the potential to improve both ecological understanding and disease control efforts.
“My research on integrating remote sensing technologies for forest health monitoring has been immensely fulfilling,” Singh said. “I am deeply grateful for the guidance and support of my advisor, Dr. Narine, throughout this journey, which has been instrumental in shaping these accomplishments. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the contributions of the project team members, whose collaborative efforts have been essential to the successful realization of our objectives.”
As part of her award, Singh received a number of professional development opportunities. She was granted $3,000 to attend the 2024 AGU Annual Meeting, the largest gathering of earth and space scientists in the world attracting more than 25,000 attendees from more than 100 countries. Singh was able to present her winning visualization with NASA and AGU on the NASA Hyperwall, a high-profile platform at the AGU meeting. Her presentation showcased her research to an international audience of scientists, policymakers and industry leaders. Singh has also been invited to present her work at a hybrid data visualization event at AGU’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., in early 2025.
This award is a testament to Singh’s dedication to advancing scientific research and her skill in communicating complex data in an accessible and impactful way. Narine expressed her pride in Singh’s achievement, noting that this recognition is not only a reflection of Swati’s technical excellence but also her commitment to using data to address real-world challenges in environmental science.
“Swati’s accomplishment underscores the growing importance of data visualization in scientific research and highlights her potential as a leader in the field,” said Narine. “Her innovative approach to using technology for environmental monitoring and disease management represents an important contribution to both the scientific community and the broader effort to address pressing ecological issues.”
Narine anticipates that as Swati continues her academic and professional journey, her work will continue to inspire others to explore the power of data visualization as a tool for scientific discovery and communication.
For more information about the AGU Michael H. Freilich Data Visualization Competition, visit the AGU website.
