How do you personally and professionally relate to water and/or space technologies?

Personally, I grew up surrounded by coastal and wetland environments in the twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, which shaped my appreciation for how vital water systems are to our livelihoods and culture. Professionally, my work focuses on using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and satellite technology to monitor mangrove health, coastal dynamics, and flooding patterns, ensuring these ecosystems are understood, protected, and sustainably managed.

Could you tell us about your current work as an Assistant Professor at University of Trinidad and Tobago?

I teach GIS, remote sensing, and environmental applications while supervising student research and developing national capacity in geospatial analysis. Much of my work involves applying satellite imagery, (UAS), and field data to map mangroves and coastal wetlands, producing real-world outputs that support government agencies and conservation groups.

What first drew you to the intersection of space-based technologies and marine/coastal ecosystems, especially in the Caribbean context?

The Caribbean’s wetlands are ecologically rich but extremely vulnerable. I was motivated by the challenge of monitoring these environments using affordable, accessible technologies. Satellite data offered a way to fill information gaps, support evidence-based decision-making, and contribute to long-term conservation efforts across small island states.

How are space-based technologies changing the way we monitor wetlands, coasts and flooding and what limitations persist?

Satellites now allow us to map Earth system changes more frequently and at smaller spatial scales. This allows us to detect subtle shifts in ecosystems such as mangrove extent, canopy greenness, leaf area, canopy height and moisture stress and monitor flood extents even in remote or inaccessible areas. Cloud cover is still a significant limitation, particularly in tropical environments. Other constraints include the cost of sub-metre satellite imagery for small scale mapping applications and the need for strong ground-truth datasets and local technical capacity.

Considering small island states, coastal zones and regions prone to flooding (like Trinidad & Tobago), what are the unique geographic or institutional challenges for applying GIS/RS in water-/marine-related domains?

Limited budgets, small technical teams, fragmented data, and dependence on external datasets can restrict long-term monitoring. Dense vegetation, cloud cover, and rapidly changing coastal conditions also require tailored methods and frequent updates. Strengthening institutional coordination and training remains essential.

In your view, what needs to happen (at policy, institutional, data-sharing or capacity-building levels) to accelerate the positive impact of GIS/RS on coastal-water and wetland management?

Improved open-data policies, standardized monitoring frameworks, dedicated funding for geospatial programs, and continuous training for environmental agencies are needed. Collaboration among academia, government, and community stakeholders is essential to ensure data drives real management action.

You were appointed to the Steering Committee of the Digital Twins of the Ocean (DITTO) Program under the United Nations Ocean Decade in 2024. What role do you play there? How do you hope space- and marine-monitoring technologies will evolve through that platform?

I am currently Co-Chair of Working Group 5 (WG 5): Capacity Building for the Digital Ocean. The main goal of WG 5 is to cultivate an inclusive, digitally literate global ocean community that can develop, apply, and benefit from Digital Twins of the Ocean. My role also includes representing small island perspectives and advocating for data-inclusive digital ocean models that reflect the needs of tropical coastal regions. 

For early-career professionals interested in combining GIS, remote sensing and water or coastal topics, what advice would you give? What skills or experiences should they focus on?

Focus on building strong technical skills in GIS, coding, remote sensing, and data interpretation. Gain field experience to understand real landscapes and stay engaged with open-source tools and global datasets. Collaboration, curiosity, and interdisciplinary thinking are key to impactful environmental work.

What is your favourite aggregate state of water and why? 

Liquid, since it represents flow, adaptation, and resilience, much like the coastal systems I study and work to protect.