About me

I am a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), United States. I am working as a Teaching Assistant at the Department of Geography and Environmental Systems.

My dissertation is focused on the Remote Sensing of Tropical Forest Structure and Degradation. I am specialized in Geoinformation Science and Remote Sensing for Natural Resources Management. I am leveraging advanced tools such as spaceborne and airborne LiDAR, Synthetic Aperture RADAR, and satellite-based imaging for the detection and monitoring of forest degradation. I am proficient in python and R programming for remote sensing and geospatial analysis.

What i'm interested in?

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    Remote Sensing

    Application of active remote sensing technologies such as LiDAR, Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR), and advanced remote sensing data analysis techniques such as machine learning and deep learning.

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    Forest Structure

    How forest vertical and horizontal structure varies across spatial gradients and biomes. How forest structure differs between different conditions, such as disturbed and intact.

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    Forest Degradation

    Where is the forest degraded? What causes forest degradation? How frequently or for how long is the forest being degraded?

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    Forest Fragmentation

    How is a forest fragmented? Is there a relationship between degradation and fragmentation?

Resume

Education

  1. University of Maryland, Baltimore County, United States

    Ph.D. in Geography and Environmental Systems 2021 — Present

    Research Interest: Remote sensing of forest degradation and disturbance using advanced image analysis techniques by integrating data from multi-temporal multi-resolution observations (LiDAR, Synthetic Aperture RADAR, and Optical Observations).

  2. University of Twente, Faculty ITC, The Netherlands

    M.Sc. in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation 2019 — 2021

    Specialization: Natural Resources Management
    Research Theme: Forest Agriculture and Environmental in the Spatial Sciences. (FORAGES)
    Scholarships: ITC Excellence Scholarship, The Holland Scholarship
    Thesis: A Comparison between UAV-RGB and ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 Images for the Assessment of Aboveground Biomass in a Temperate Forest.

  3. Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh

    M.Sc. in Forestry and Environmental Science 2016 — 2018

    Thesis: Assessing Spatio-temporal changes in forest structural attributes at Lawachara National Park, Bangladesh.

  4. Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh

    B.Sc. in Forestry and Environmental Science 2011 — 2015

    Thesis: Detecting tree richness hotspots using species area relationship to compare with land-covers and forest composition of Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, Habiganj, Bangladesh.

Experience

  1. Graduate (Ph.D.) Research Fellow

    Nov 2024 — Feb 2025 NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    At the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Radar Science and Engineering Group. Working on a SERVIR project: “Land Cover Mapping with SAR and Optical Observations”

  2. Teaching Assistant

    Aug 2021 — Present University of Maryland, Baltimore County

    Department of Geography and Environmental Systems

    Courses taught:
    GES 405 - Applied Landscape Ecology (Spring 26)
    GES 286 - Exploring the Environment: A Geo-Spatial Perspective (Spring 26, Fall 25, Summer 25, Spring 25, Fall 24, Summer 24, Fall 22)
    GES 386 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (Summer 23)
    GES 400/774 - Statistics for Geographers (Spring 23)
    SCI 100 - Water; An Interdisciplinary Study (Spring 23)
    GES 381 - Remote Sensing (Fall 22)
    GES 220 - Lab and Field Techniques for Environmental Science (Fall 21)

  3. Research Assistant

    Jul 2023 — Jan 2024 University of Maryland, Baltimore County

    Department of Emergency and Disaster Health Systems
    Conducted spatial analysis and created maps and 3-D models for disaster and environmental health-related studies.
    Contributed to research proposals and created hazard monitoring scripts using Python and Google Earth Engine.
    Compiled, cleaned, and analyzed data; created visual representations suitable for publications.

  4. Research Assistant

    Dec 2021 — Aug 2022 University of Maryland, Baltimore County

    1. With NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Research topic: Mapping Tropical Forest Degradation in the Peruvian Amazon Using Synthetic Aperture Radar and Optical Observations.
    2. With NASA LCLUC Project: Making the Hidden Visible: Accelerated Land-Use Change and Degradation Caused by Narco-Trafficking In and Around Central America’s Protected Areas. (https://lcluc.umd.edu/projects/making-hidden-visible-accelerated-land-use-change-and-degradation-caused-narco-trafficking).

  5. Research Assistant

    Jan 2018 - Dec 2018 University of Lisbon, Faculty of Sciences

    Graduate School: Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes - cE3c
    Worked on analyzing satellite images for land-cover change detection, conduct fieldwork, draft and submit reports of works to the relevant researcher of the doctoral program of Climate Change and Sustainable Development Policies.

  6. Instructor

    Jun 2017 - Jan 2018 Forestry Science and Technology Institute, Sylhet, Bangladesh

    Professional diploma course of Bangladesh Forest Department, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, only for forest bit officers or ranger. Taught Forest Silviculture, GIS for Forestry, and Forest Inventory courses.

My Skills

  • GIS and Remote Sensing Skills

    → Satellite/Digital Image Analysis
    → Spatial Statistical Analysis
    → Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR)
    → LiDAR Remote Sensing
    → Machine/Deep Learning
    → Geodatabase Management
    → Geoportal Management

  • RS/GIS Software Skills

    → ESRI ArcGIS (Pro, Online)
    → QGIS
    → ERDAS IMAGINE
    → ENVI
    → eCognition
    → Pix4D
    → Agisoft Metashape

  • Programming Language

    → Python
    → R (Including R Studio)
    → Google Earth Engine (Javascript/Python)
    → Visual Basic

Awards/Scholarships

  1. Dean's Summer Fellowship

    May 2025

    Awarded by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Department of Geography and Environmental Systems.

  2. Dean's Summer Fellowship

    May 2024

    Awarded by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Department of Geography and Environmental Systems.

  3. GES Summer Fellowship

    May 2023

    Awarded by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Department of Geography and Environmental Systems.

  4. ITC Excellence Scholarship

    Aug 2019

    Issued by University of Twente. Associated with Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) of the University of Twente. For MSc in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation program.

  5. The Holland Scholarship

    Aug 2019

    Issued by University of Twente. Associated with Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) of the University of Twente. For MSc in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation program.

Training/Workshops

  1. Neural Networks and Deep Learning

    Feb 2021

    Deeplearning.AI, Coursera Online
    Verify at https://coursera.org/verify/A9WUERYUBAS9

  2. Tailor-made Training on the Use of UAV Images for the Application of Remote Sensing on Natural Resources

    Jul 2017 - Apr 2018

    Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) of the University of Twente., Enschede, The Netherlands

  3. Documentary Film making and Nature Documentation

    Mar 2014

    Green Explore Society, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh

  4. Training on SPSS and MATLAB

    Apr 2013

    Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Leadership Activities

  • President

    Green Explore Society
    Mar 2014 - Apr 2015
    Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh

  • Co-Founder and Vice-President

    Golapganj Student Association
    Dec 2012 - Dec 2015
    Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Publications

1. Ahmed, Hasan and Matthew E Fagan. "Assessing Forest Structure and Biophysical Control on Degradation Across the Amazon Using Spaceborne LiDAR." In ForestSAT 2026, Gainesville, FL, USA. May 2026.

2. Ahmed, Hasan, Matthew E Fagan, and Naiara Pinto. "Comparing the performance of satellite-based forest degradation products in the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon." In AGU Meeting 2024, Global Environmental Change, Washington DC, USA. 2024.

3. Saha, Sajal, Mohammad Belal Uddin, and Ahmed, Hasan. "Detection of Forest Cover Change and Spatial Prediction of Growing Stock in Satchari National Park, Bangladesh." In Young Researchers Meeting on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Forest Systems, 2023, Palencia, Spain. Feb 2023.

4. Ahmed, Hasan, Naiara Pinto, and Matthew E Fagan. "Evaluating the Sensitivity of Spectral and Synthetic Aperture Radar-based Forest Degradation Products in the Peruvian Amazon Forest." In AGU Fall Meeting 2022, Biogeosciences, Chicago, IL, USA. 2022. DOI: 10.1002/essoar.10512892.31.

5. Ahmed, Hasan. "A comparison between UAV-RGB and ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 images for the assessment of aboveground biomass in a temperate forest." Master's thesis, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands. 2021.

6. Rahman, Mohammad Rejaur, Emran Hossain Sajib, Ishtiak Malique Chowdhury, Anik Banik, Rahul Bhattacharya, and Hasan Ahmed. "Present scenario of COVID-19 in Bangladesh and government preparedness for facing challenges." J Adv Biotechnol Exp Ther 4, no. 2 (2021): 187-199.

7. Roy, Bishwajit, Hasan Ahmed, and Gil Pessanha Penha-Lopes. "Morphological change detection caused by seasonal monsoon and cyclones in the coast over time: a case study on Bangladesh delta." In EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, p. 1469. 2019.

8. Ahmed, Hasan. "Assessing spatio-temporal changes in forest structural attributes at Lawachara National Park, Bangladesh." Master's thesis, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh. 2018.

9. Ahmed, Hasan. "Detecting tree richness hotspots using Species Area Relationships to compare with land-covers and forest composition of Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, Habiganj, Bangladesh." Bachelor's thesis, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh. 2016.

Teachings

Courses taught

Contact

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