Robert Kennedy

Robert Kennedy is a Professor at Oregon State University, specializing in satellite remote sensing and landscape dynamics. His work focuses on analyzing large-scale environmental changes using time-series imagery, with a particular emphasis on disturbance dynamics, carbon cycles, and geospatial modeling. Kennedy leads projects supported by agencies like NASA, the National Park Service, and the US Forest Service, integrating field data with satellite observations to inform ecological and climate policy.

Education:

• PhD, Forest Science, Oregon State University (2004)
• MA, Environmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder (1994)
• BS, Biology, University of Houston (1992)

Research Interests: Kennedy’s research bridges geospatial analysis and environmental science, addressing challenges such as forest carbon dynamics, wildfire impacts, and land-use changes. His methodologies include novel algorithm development for Landsat time-series data and uncertainty quantification in spatial models. He emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in linking biogeochemical models with remote sensing outputs.

Key Collaborations & Projects:

• Development of the LandTrendr algorithm for detecting landscape change
• Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) for forest biomass mapping
• Analysis of post-disturbance vegetation recovery in fire-prone regions

Advising & Labs: Kennedy mentors graduate students in geospatial science and remote sensing, and leads the Environmental Monitoring, Analysis, and Process Recognition Lab. His lab focuses on creating tools to democratize carbon market data and improve climate policy frameworks. Recent work includes studies on snow drought in the Pacific Northwest and post-conflict land-use changes in Colombia’s Amazon region.