HES-GEO visits provide opportunities for students to make substantial progress in research. Read Mahsa’s story from the Z_GIS department at the University of Salzburg.
Mahsa Shahbandeh is a PhD student at the Institute of Geography and Spatial Management of Jagiellonian University and a member of the Land use and biodiversity team of HES-GEO. Mahsa focuses on land-use change and agricultural land abandonment in her doctoral project. The current challenge is the approach to how to process historical remote sensing data. Quickly!
If you want to know more about Masha’s research interests, read her entry on agricultural land abandonment
Time-consuming methods
The main aim of visiting the Z_GIS department was to learn and develop new skills. In particular, finding different approaches to processing historical remote sensing data. A step that is currently taking just too much time.
See the interview with Erika Blaschke from the Z_GIS department. For HES-GEO, Erika led the course on team leadership.
“Shortly after explaining the problem, I jumped into studying machine learning-based software that could help me process the data I’m using in my project faster. I learned how to use eCognition software to process CORONA images and do a suitable segmentation and classification. Many thanks belong to professor Dirk Tiede, with whom I could consult my progress,” comments Mahsa.
But it’s not only about the research
“Besides the research, I had time to do some sightseeing in the evenings as it was my first time in Salzburg. Mozart’s birthplace (Mozarts Geburtshaus), The Castle, Salzach riverside, oldtown and a beautiful garden (Mirabellgarten) all now after the trip checked off from my travel list.”
“On the whole, this internship was an important experience. I’ve improved my remote sensing and GIS skills to work more efficiently in my PhD research project and have experienced new, not only academic, culture,” adds Mahsa to the end.
HES-GEO 