Susan Meerdink

Susan Meerdink is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Iowa, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on the integration of machine learning, remote sensing, and terrestrial ecology to address environmental monitoring challenges.

• Specializes in computational methods for high-resolution imagery processing
• Develops algorithms to characterize vegetation function via optical/thermal properties
• Active in interdisciplinary research spanning remote sensing and ecosystem analysis

Her recent publications emphasize applications of hyperspectral and thermal imagery, with a focus on drought stress monitoring, invasive species detection, and harmful algal bloom tracking across diverse ecosystems. Meerdink contributes to the LOQATE Lab and holds a PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara.