Geospatial data management for modeling the upstream limits of fish occurrence (UPRLIMET project)
Faculty mentor/Supervisor
Andres Olivos
Email Address
Department Affiliation
Forest Engineering Resources & Management
Project Location
Oregon and Washington (study scope)
Project Description
UPRLIMET is a collaborative research project led by scientists of the USDA Forest Service and the College of Forestry at OSU, with the objective of mapping where fish occur in forested streams of the US PNW (Oregon and Washington). This undergraduate assistantship will focus on ensuring data integrity in GIS workflows (e.g., fish presence and barrier data; LiDAR-derived hydrography), validating and cleaning incoming field data, aligning field observations to stream flowlines, and providing hands-on assistance in field sampling as needed (e.g., electrofishing, environmental DNA, real-time data logging in mobile apps).
Describe the type of work and tasks you anticipate the student will perform
-Organize, clean, and maintain GIS layers: fish presence/absence data from electrofishing and environmental DNA surveys, LiDAR-derived hydrography.
-Conduct QA/QC checks: verify spatial accuracy and alignment between GPS locations of field data and hydrography; check for errors or inconsistencies with the assistance of field crews collecting the data.
-Perform cross-validation of model outputs against independent datasets (e.g., satellite imagery), assisting in troubleshooting discrepancies and refining predictive accuracy.
-Maintain detailed documentation of data processing workflows, prepare concise reports, and support the integration of results into manuscripts, presentations, and stakeholder briefings.
-Conduct QA/QC checks: verify spatial accuracy and alignment between GPS locations of field data and hydrography; check for errors or inconsistencies with the assistance of field crews collecting the data.
-Perform cross-validation of model outputs against independent datasets (e.g., satellite imagery), assisting in troubleshooting discrepancies and refining predictive accuracy.
-Maintain detailed documentation of data processing workflows, prepare concise reports, and support the integration of results into manuscripts, presentations, and stakeholder briefings.
Hourly rate of pay
18
Certification
Yes
What is the expected timeline of this project?
This mentored position will support the final phases of the UPRLIMET project, which is expected to be completed in September 2026. Therefore, the technical assistantship will span from the Fall 2025 term through the Spring 2026 term as follows:
-Term 1 (Fall): Orientation & training; set up GIS environments & workflows; begin data cleaning and organization.
-Term 2 (Winter): Quality assessment and control of fish and hydrography data; dataset summarization and basic analyses.
-Term 3 (Spring): Data integration into geospatial modeling pipelines; QA/QC modeling of modeling outputs; presentation of student work.
-Term 1 (Fall): Orientation & training; set up GIS environments & workflows; begin data cleaning and organization.
-Term 2 (Winter): Quality assessment and control of fish and hydrography data; dataset summarization and basic analyses.
-Term 3 (Spring): Data integration into geospatial modeling pipelines; QA/QC modeling of modeling outputs; presentation of student work.
Are special skills or knowledge required to work on this project?
No
Will training be provided?
Yes
How many hours per week do you anticipate a student to work?
16-20 hours.
How many hours per week do you anticipate engaging in direct mentorship?
1 hour per week of one-to-one meetings, and bi-weekly team meetings.
The mentorship plan is designed to build both technical and professional competencies. The student will receive training in GIS workflows and field survey protocols, supported by weekly supervision and progress tracking. In addition to task-specific mentoring, the plan will incorporate professional development, including discussions on research methods, data stewardship, and the role of predictive ecological models in land management. The student will be encouraged to participate in lab group meetings and learn about different projects and methods. Towards the final stages of the appointment, the student will be encouraged and supported in presenting their work at a student conference opportunity. By combining technical training with career mentoring, the student will be prepared for the next steps in environmental science or natural resources careers.