Enjoying a weekend in Toulouse, France during my research visit to CESBIO Laboratory in 2019.
Credit: Hana Abdelmoula.

I was initially drawn to remote sensing because of its unique ability to observe and analyze our planet from above, providing insights that would be impossible to obtain from the ground alone.

My journey began concretely during summer internships at the Digital Research Center of Sfax, Tunisia. These experiences introduced me to the fundamentals of remote sensing and radiative transfer (RT) modeling, revealing how these technologies could transform our understanding of natural environments with unprecedented accuracy and detail. The pivotal moment came in 2015, when I saw researchers analyzing LiDAR data over forests. I was fascinated by its ability to capture 3D structure. This led to my graduation project on estimating Leaf Area Index (LAI) from airborne LiDAR. This early exposure naturally led me to pursue a PhD focused on estimating foliage properties from Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) LiDAR using direct and inverse radiative transfer modeling.

A further transformative experience came during my research internship at the Centre d'Etudes Spatiales de la Biosphère Laboratory in Toulouse, France, where collaboration with the Discrete Anisotropic Radiative Transfer (DART) team and international experts expanded my perspective on how remote sensing technologies could be applied globally.

Visiting the NASA visitor center on the same day that I arrived at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), exploring my office for the first time.
Credit: Lahouari Bounoua.

My path to NASA Goddard began through my collaboration with the DART team during my PhD research. This partnership exposed me to radiative transfer modeling applications in Earth observation and connected me with researchers working on similar approaches at NASA. My expertise in LiDAR processing and radiative transfer modeling aligned perfectly with a position focused on integrating stereo photogrammetry with laser altimetry data to support NASA's Surface Topography and Vegetation research. Joining NASA Goddard has allowed me to apply my skills to meaningful research while contributing to important Earth science initiatives in an environment that values scientific excellence.

Presenting our work on LiDAR and stereo fusion for improved digital surface model at the 2024 American Geophysical Union (AGU) conference in Washington DC.
Credit: Maggie Wooten.

My typical workday revolves around a blend of computational research, collaboration, and continuous learning. I usually begin by checking emails and responding to urgent communications. A significant portion of my day involves computational work, processing and analyzing remote sensing datasets, developing and testing algorithms for sensor fusion, and running radiative transfer simulations. This includes writing and debugging code in Python, processing LiDAR point clouds and satellite imagery, and visualizing results to identify patterns and validate methodologies.

Collaboration is central to my work. I regularly participate in team meetings with colleagues from the DART modeling group and other NASA collaborators to discuss research progress, troubleshoot technical issues, plan future work, and exchange ideas.

Throughout the day, I maintain a balance between focused individual work and collaborative activities, adapting to the specific needs of our current research phase.

Grateful for my husband's constant support and pride in my journey; this was our first snow in Maryland.
Credit: Wassef Chaaben.

Three skills have proven most valuable in my research: First, programming and data analysis abilities are essential for processing the complex satellite datasets I work with daily. Second, adaptability has been crucial in this rapidly evolving field, allowing me to integrate new technologies as they emerge. Third, effective scientific communication is critical to effective collaboration. I built the foundation for these skills during my formal education, but they've been continuously refined through hands-on research experiences, collaboration with diverse teams, and my commitment to staying current with emerging methodologies in remote sensing science.