What inspired you to become a researcher?
My interest in research began with an early love for nature, particularly the ocean and its wildlife. Drawn to conservation, I am fascinated by how technology can help study and protect marine mammals.
Can you tell us about the research you're currently working on?
This research focuses on using accessible 3D scanning technologies, like LiDAR-equipped mobile devices and UAV photogrammetry, to document and analyze stranded marine mammals. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to determine the distance between the instrument and a target surface or object. Distance is determined through a measure of the time it takes for the pulses to travel to the surface and be reflected to the sensor. The resulting output, typically a 3D point cloud, provides a detailed representation of surfaces and objects. In contrast, photogrammetry is a technique used to create 3D models from 2D photographs by capturing a series of overlapping photographs from different angles and processing with specialized software. By integrating these tools into necropsy procedures, I aim to improve morphometric data collection, enhance postmortem documentation, and create interactive visualizations for research, education, and conservation. This work is particularly valuable for remote large whale strandings, where traditional methods may be limited.
You used an iPhone12 for your work. Could –in theory– anyone equipped with a phone with a LiDAR sensor and the app make a 3D scan? What, if any, training is necessary?
