Barbara Bollard

Professor Barbara Bollard is a distinguished academic at the University of Wollongong with over 20 years of experience in computational conservation and remote sensing. She is recognized as a leader in the field, particularly for her innovative use of drone technology for ecosystem mapping and monitoring, with special emphasis on Antarctic environments.

Her research interests span multiple domains within environmental science and technology:

• Computational conservation methodologies
• Remote sensing applications for ecosystem monitoring
• Drone technology for environmental data collection
• Machine learning applications in ecological research
• Antarctic and polar ecosystem studies
• Conservation of fragile ecosystems

Professor Bollard's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on applying cutting-edge drone technology and artificial intelligence to monitor and conserve vulnerable ecosystems, particularly in Antarctica. Her work bridges the gap between technological innovation and practical conservation applications, with numerous publications on drone-based monitoring of moss communities, lichen distribution, and other fragile Antarctic vegetation. Her research has significant implications for understanding climate change impacts on polar environments.

Among her notable achievements is the leadership of the major ARC-funded project "Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future" which runs from 2021-2030, demonstrating her standing as a key researcher in Antarctic environmental science.

Professor Bollard is actively involved in mentoring the next generation of researchers, currently supervising PhD students working on:

• Remote sensing and conservation of Antarctic moss communities
• Using remote sensing and hydrological mapping to determine water availability for nonvascular plants in Antarctica