Sophia Leiker

About Sophia Leiker

Currently working as a and Point Conception Institute. I am carrying out geospatial analysis, mapping, and web application development in support of the creation of a \"Digital Twin\" for the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve.‍ Graduate of UCSB\'s Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, where I focused on. My goal? To bridge the gap between scientists and those enacting important on-the-ground change across the globe. My Masters thesis was in partnership with the White Buffalo Land Trust working on integrating remote sensing data to monitor ecosystem function on holistically managed lands (regenerative ag). Previous Geospatial Environmental Research & Project Analyst at Regen Network Development supporting. Supported Microsoft purchase of Eco-Credits in one of the largest-ever soil carbon credit issuances in Australia. Nature based solutions need to be backed by verifiable science, my role was to facilitate method & project development to ensure that each claim is backed with appropriate data and analysis leveraging blockchain technology.‍ Member of two working groups within the USDA\'s OpenTEAM consortium, which includes, to provide farmers with the best possible knowledge to employ predictive analytics for decision support and soil health. Prior to this, I worked as a GIS researcher and project manager for NASA DEVELOP, a program under NASA’s Applied Sciences Division. I have participated in projects covering wildfire disaster analysis, invasive species modeling, ecological forecasting, and forest/water management, working with both public and private stakeholders.

Experience

1. Spatial Data Science Associate

   The Nature Conservancy

   Dec 2023 — Present

   Supporting mapping and modeling efforts at the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve. My work is focused on developing geospatial tools to support data driven decision making around fire management, landscape monitoring, and onsite management.• Geospatial support for operations at the Preserve: developing data driven support tools to enhance efficiency of stewardship operations and processes• System Interconnection network: supporting development of the Digital Twin and innovation projects that align with existing workflows• System Maintenance: Continuous support to Dangermond Preserve Geospatial Hub site infrastructure to facilitate continuing research and flow of geospatial partner data

Education

• University of California, Berkeley

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Environmental Science - Physical Science Concentration

  2014 — 2018

• Bren School of Environmental Science & Management - University of California, Santa Barbara

  Master of Environmental Science and Management

• Accent International - Madrid Campus (UCEAP)

  Environmental Science, Political Ecology, Spanish, Political Science, Art History

  2016 — 2016

Skills

• Autocad
• Revit 3d Architecture Software
• Organization Skills
• Packaging Design
• Sketchup (3d Modeling Software)
• Event Planning
• Public Outreach
• Quality Assurance
• R-Studio (Programming Language)
• Microsoft Office
• Social Media Marketing
• Manufacturing
• Arcgis (Geographic Information Systems)
• Product Development
• Project Management