Seminar Title:
A Bird’s Eye View: Supporting Disaster Response with NASA’s Open Satellite Data
Abstract:
A rich array of data and information is consistently more available immediately after a disaster that could be utilized for supporting the situational awareness, decision support, and otherwise lifesaving and life sustaining measures of response efforts globally. But the question remains is even with a deluge of data "for good" or other cutting-edge science and technology, how can we best bridge the gaps between information overload and both consistent and reliable knowledge from which emergency management can fully utilize? NASA's Disasters Response Coordination System is working within the NASA science enterprise and across the interagency to try to knit those very issues together. Recent disaster responses have shown both immense opportunities for leveraging new technology and data sources while also highlighting critical gaps where the organic connections between the research community, data providers, and the end users practical needs don't always align.
Bio:
Mr. Joshua Barnes serves as the Program Manager, Disaster Response Coordination System (DRCS) for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Hampton, VA. In his role, he is responsible for leading and coordinating NASA-wide efforts to support disaster-impacted communities with the best available science and products to help improve decision making after disasters. Prior to his role at NASA, he led the response and recovery missions across countless disasters nationwide with leading economic recovery actions and pioneering public health and health care system response and recovery. In these leadership roles, he led advanced teams of subject matter experts who provided target relief to disaster survivors, community leaders, and state officials. Prior to these roles, Joshua served on the White House National Security Council Staff as the Director for Preparedness Policy. He led, planned, and coordinated the development and implementation of preparedness policies and associated billion-dollar grant programs. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Geographic Sciences from James Madison University and a Master of Public Health from A.T. Still University.