Karen An
JPL Postdoc
About
Bio
Karen (she/her) is a postdoctoral scholar at JPL working with Yunling Lou and Cathleen Jones in 334G (Radar Concepts and Formulation). Currently, they are investigating methods to improve post-wildfire and flood recovery analyses with the NASA airborne radar instrument, UAVSAR. Previously during her Ph.D., Karen used interferometric and polarimetric radar products from UAVSAR to study the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and its sinking levees. Karen is interested in integrating radar remote sensing products with GIS visualization techniques to aid disaster response efforts.
Education
- Geography, Ph.D. (2020) University of California, Los Angeles
- Geography, M.A. (2015) University of California, Los Angeles
- Environmental Science, B.S. (2013) University of California, Irvine
Research Interests
- Disaster response/mitigation
- GIS analysis/visualization
- Interferometric/polarimetric radar remote sensing
Experience
Professional Experience
- NASA JPL Postdoctoral Scholar (2021-present)
- NASA JPL Student Intern Program (2014-2020)
- NASA DEVELOP Program (2013)
- Research Assistant, UC Center for Hydrologic Modeling (2012-2013)
- Research Assistant, Center for Unconventional Security Affairs at UCI (2012)
- Research Assistant, UCI Saltzman-Aydin Research Group (2011)
- UCLA Teaching Associate Experience
- Geography 1: Earth’s Physical Environment
- Geography 5: People & Earth’s Ecosystems
- Geography 170: Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Geography 172: Remote Sensing Digital Image Processing and Analysis
Achievements
Awards & Recognitions
- Professional Society and External Organization Awards | UCI | UCI Earth System Science Departmental Honors (2013)
- Professional Society and External Organization Awards | UCI | UCI Undergraduate Research/Departmental Service Award in Earth System Science (2013)
- Professional Society and External Organization Awards | UCI | UCI Dean's Honor List (2013)
Publications
- An, K., Jones, C. E., Bekaert, D. P. S., Bennett, V. (in prep.) Radar interferometry offers new monitoring approach for critical flood control infrastructure.
- An, K., Jones, C. E., Bekaert, D. P. S., et al. (in prep.) Current-day subsidence within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and its relationship to elevation, soil organic matter and land use practices.
- Bekaert, D. P., Jones, C. E., An, K., & Huang, M. H. (2019). Exploiting UAVSAR for a comprehensive analysis of subsidence in the Sacramento Delta. Remote sensing of environment, 220, 124-134.
- Jones, C. E., An, K., Blom, R.G., Kent, J.D., Ivins, E.R., Bekaert, D. (2016), Anthropogenic and geologic influences on subsidence in the vicinity of New Orleans, Louisiana, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, 121, 3867–3887. (also adapted for Environmental Science Journal for Teens, January 2017)