Kyle S. Kwaiser is pursuing a master's degree in Environmental Informatics. He plans to graduate in April 2009. Originally from Iowa City, Iowa, Kyle earned an undergraduate degree in environmental sciences from the University of Iowa.

Name: Kyle S. Kwaiser    
Age: 28
Hometown: Iowa City, IA
SNRE degree sought: M.S., Environmental Informatics
Projected semester/year of graduation: April 2009
Undergraduate degree: Environmental Sciences, University of Iowa, 2006

Why did you pick this particular field of study? Why were you drawn to this field?
Through my undergraduate coursework and research, I developed a strong foundation in the fundamentals of ecology but I also realized the need to expand my analytical "toolbox." That is what drew me to environmental informatics. Environmental Informatics offers theory and skills that can be applied to any number of fields: remote sensing and land-cover classification, geographic information systems and landscape modeling, spatial analysis, ecosystem modeling, agent based modeling the list goes on.

What do you like best so far about your program?
I'm generally not one to endorse coursework as I tend to prefer learning in self-guided and applied situations (i.e. research). That said, many of the classes I have taken allowed for a self-guided component through the inclusion of projects. Better yet, most of these classes have allotted in-class time for project development. This is nice in two respects, it decreases the overall workload and allows for an interaction with the instructor as questions arise.

Describe your research interests and experiences at SNRE.
My research experiences stem from work done with Dan Brown and Kathleen Bergen for my master's thesis and as a GSRA. My master's thesis research focuses on developing a computer program in the Python language that uses ArcGIS and Fragstats to create a Monte Carlo simulation of wetland land-cover maps associated with field-collected avian data from the Poyang Lake Region, China. I will then input these randomized land-cover maps into a statistical package (TBD) in order to quantify the spatial uncertainty associated with the sampling methods applied in gathering the avian data.

As part of my GSRAs, I used Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery to develop the land-cover maps that form one of the major datasets for my thesis. I am fortunate in that I have been able to work on this process from beginning to end, thereby gaining experience not only with the classification process but also the preprocessing that must take place as well as the accuracy assessment tasks that must follow.

What will you do after graduation?
Good question. I am currently giving serious thought to continuing on for a Ph.D. but I am also aware that the informatics skills I have gained over the last two years raise the prospects for employment in a variety of fields.

What advice do you have for incoming SNRE students?
Recognize your intellectual and experiential strengths but use your time as a SNRED to eliminate your weaknesses.
 
What is your favorite environmental-oriented web site and why?
Does Elsevier count? Actually, I am a news junkie and talkingpointsmemo.com, dailykos.com and politico.com are my fix.
 
How do you relax when not studying?
I have a family in Ann Arbor so passing time with them is always a priority. The Ann Arbor region also offers great opportunities for cherry, blueberry, raspberry and apple picking. Other activities include gardening and exploring abundance of gravel roads by bicycle.