Sylvia Noralez
Department of Geosciences
Hometown:

Research Areas:

Office: 2075 Beard Eaves Coliseum

Email: syn0002@auburn.edu


Research and Teaching Interests

Meet Sylvia, a geospatial specialist, she's revolutionizing coastal ecosystem monitoring by combining drone mapping technology with a passionate commitment to making science accessible to all.

Her journey from mapping Mediterranean seagrass to spearheading Belize's national spatial data initiatives has taught her a crucial lesson: the most powerful environmental solutions emerge when cutting-edge technology meets community knowledge. At the heart of Sylvia's research is a simple but transformative idea – that open data and accessible science can empower communities to become active participants in protecting their marine environments.

Through her work with drone technology and machine learning for mapping coastal resources, she's not just collecting data – she's creating bridges. By developing user-friendly workflows and ensuring data accessibility, she's helping coastal communities understand and engage with the science that affects their lives. Her approach transforms complex environmental data into practical tools that support decision-making at all levels, from local fishers to policy makers.

At Auburn University, she's pioneering methods that make coastal ecosystem monitoring both more accurate and more inclusive. Her vision extends beyond pure research – it's about creating a future where high quality environmental data is accessible, flows freely between scientists, communities, and decision-makers, driving progress through shared understanding and collaborative action.






Last updated: 02/11/2025