aerial vievw of people in a boat

Christina

Appleby

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Résumé



Research Assistant
Idaho State University & Boise State University (Remote)
Jan. 2025 - Present
  • Led the development and evaluation of a deep learning model for automating detection of black-tailed jackrabbits in thermal drone imagery
  • Verified manual black-tailed jackrabbit detections by cross-referencing observations across two or more overlapping videos of the same area
  • Extracted and annotated over 1,100 images from thermal drone footage to create multiple datasets for training a YOLOv5 deep learning model
  • Leading the manuscript development process on research findings and survey protocols, incorporating co-author feedback, and ensuring adherence to the target journal's author guidelines


Data Scientist Intern
Rocky Mountain Inventory & Monitoring Network (Remote)
Jun. 2025 - Sep. 2025
  • Assisted wetlands and ungulate ecological monitoring field crews with data collection to understand protocol workflows and database needs
  • Produced maps using ArcGIS Pro and other data visualizations using R to show site visits over time and site locations for streams and wetlands monitoring protocols
  • Created wetlands and ungulate ecological monitoring QAQC queries and visualizations in R, ensuring data quality and integrity for data analysis and publication
  • Developed R scripts to automate camera trap image processing, file organization, and QAQC checks


Data Scientist Intern
North Coast and Cascades Inventory & Monitoring Network (Remote)
Feb. 2024 - Feb. 2025
  • Collaborated with stakeholders to design and build data models and develop ETL (extract, transform, and load) processes to ensure data quality and integrity
  • Developed user-friendly R scripts and packages to simplify the data publication process, including metadata creation
  • Leveraged strong collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with stakeholders to create database models and ArcGIS Pro geoprocessing tools for monitoring protocols
  • Developed ArcGIS Pro geoprocessing tools using Python to automate the extraction of relevant data from feature classes and raster datasets, optimizing datasets for machine learning model input
  • Created and updated Microsoft Access front-end applications for SQL Server databases using Visual Basic for Applications to simplify data loading and data entry
  • Performed QAQC checks of monitoring data in databases, verifying suspect entries with scanned datasheets and performing corrections, if necessary
  • Utilized shared OneNote notebooks, Microsoft Teams, and email to communicate with remote coworkers and coordinate tasks


Career Pathways Intern
State of Idaho (Remote)
May. 2023 - Jun. 2023
  • Assisted the Idaho Hazards Technical Working Group to identify authoritative GIS datasets
  • Worked with stakeholders to develop, improve, and refine draft standards for authoritative GIS datasets
  • Published chosen authoritative GIS datasets to ArcGIS Online, including metadata


Reactor Operator & Instructor
Idaho National Laboratory (Hybrid)
Sep. 2020 - Jan. 2024
  • Developed in-person presentations and web-based training courses to enhance training curriculum
  • Trained operators on complex reactor plant systems, including classroom and hands-on training, resulting in increased operational efficiency and safety
  • Performed steady-state and transient reactor operations and handled special nuclear material as a certified reactor operator and fissile material handler


Coastal Fellow - Student Researcher
University of Rhode Island Environmental Data Center, Kingston, RI
May 2017 - May 2018
  • Evaluated the potential of UAS for mapping the dynamic morphology of a sandy spit subject to frequent storm-induced changes
  • Developed flight plans for UAS imagery acquisition to support mapping projects, incorporating UAS battery life, transect overlap, and flight altitude
  • Processed UAS imagery using PIX4Dmapper and ground control point coordinates to generate georeferenced orthomosaics with a spatial resolution of 3.14 centimeters


Electronics Technician Nuclear (E7)
United States Navy
Aug. 2001 - Aug. 2012
  • Led and managed teams of 17 personnel to achieve reactor plant equipment maintenance and testing milestones, ensuring timely completion of maintenance activities
  • Tracked and monitored staffing of over 400 department personnel and scheduled attendance to advanced schools to maintain production, flexibility, and proficiency during inevitable crew turnovers
  • Provided one-on-one training for nuclear power plant operations and prepared students for hands-on operations with procedure reviews, demonstrations, and knowledge checks (5 years)
  • Performed, scheduled, and supervised reactor instrumentation and controls maintenance following strict procedures and recording data
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
M.N.R. in Integrated Natural Resources

Expected May 2027



Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID
M.S. in Geographic Information Science

December 2024

GPA 3.96/4.0

Select Coursework:

  • Advanced GIS Programming: Utilized Python, Jupyter Notebooks, and Google Colab to perform geospatial data analysis, including machine learning
  • Geostatistical Spatial Data Analysis: Analyzed UAS imagery to identify prairie dog burrow locations using machine learning, as well as exploratory analysis, pattern detection, regression modeling, random forest predictive modeling
  • Advanced Remote Sensing: Analyzed various remotely sensed data, including multispectral imagery, radar, and thermal data
  • Advanced Analysis Methods of UAS Data: Processed LiDAR data for mapping landslides, detecting individual trees, identifying Golden Eagle nesting locations, and canopy height models
  • GPS/GNSS Applications in Research: Collected coordinates using GNSS devices and ESRI Field Maps, and conducted sagebrush surveys



University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
B.S. in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics

May 2018

GPA 3.97/4.0

Select Coursework: Natural Resource Economics, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Econometrics, Programming for Data Science, Statistical Methods in Research I, Calculus I