Donna Fitzgerald’s passion for advancing environmental science is taking her from the leafy Adelaide Hills to sunny California, securing a competitive 10-week internship at one of the world’s most prestigious space agencies.
Following a competitive application process exclusive to SmartSat’s PhD cohort, Donna was selected for a much-coveted position to intern at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
Attending through the JPL Visiting Student Research Program, Donna will be working with satellite imagery provided by NASA’s EMIT satellite to develop methodologies for assessing vegetation health and potentially detect stress factors contributing to landscape changes.
Working under the mentorship of David Schimel, Senior Research Scientist and Technical Group Supervisor for Carbon and Ecosystems, Donna will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to expand her knowledge and gain valuable new skills applicable to her research back in Australia.
Donna Fitzgerald is passionate about environmental science, in particular about leveraging satellite technologies to improve environmental management and conservation. (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Demmrich)
One of the inaugural recipients of the Dr Peter Woodgate Scholarship for Earth Observation (jointly funded by SmartSat and the Andy Thomas Space Foundation), Donna is passionate about using space technology to improve environmental management and conservation.
On top of her studies, Donna works part time at SmartSat as a student support officer, supervising students completing their Master’s capstone projects through the Scarlet Lab. Her PhD, which she is completing through the University of South Australia, looks at methods for using remote sensing technology to quantify dieback of eucalyptus forests.
Donna said the opportunity to intern at JPL will significantly enhance her research skills in developing methods to analyse and understand Australian vegetation using hyperspectral satellite imagery.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be selected for the NASA JPL internship. It is an amazing opportunity to further develop my skills as an environmental scientist who uses Earth Observation imagery to identify changes in vegetation across the landscape,” Donna said.
“Under the guidance of my allocated mentor, David Schimel – who, like me, has an ecology background but now specialises in satellite data interpretation – I will refine my ability to integrate ecological knowledge with remote sensing technology.
“This interdisciplinary approach is crucial for improving our understanding of Earth’s ecosystems and their responses to environmental changes.”
NASA JPL lead the world in robotic space exploration and science, sending spacecraft all through the solar system, deploying rovers such as Perseverance and Curiosity to Mars, managing a slew of Earth Science missions; and providing cameras to the James Webb Space Telescope project.
Beyond the technical and research benefits, the internship will provide Donna with the unique opportunity to build professional connections within NASA and the broader scientific community.
“Engaging with JPL researchers and other interns will allow me to establish relationships that could lead to collaborative research projects, co-authored publications, and future career opportunities,” Donna said.
“These connections will not only support my current doctoral studies but also play a vital role in my long-term goal of contributing to the Australian space industry through Earth observation applications.”
“Overall, this internship will equip me with the expertise, experience, and professional network necessary to advance my research and career, ultimately benefiting both the scientific community and environmental management efforts in Australia.”
Donna Fitzgerald presenting on her PhD research at the SmartSat CRC Annual Conference last year
SmartSat CRC Chief Executive Officer, Professor Andy Koronios, said he was proud to be able to foster the development of the next generation of Australian space leaders.
“I am thrilled that though our ongoing collaborative relationship with NASA JPL, SmartSat is in the position to continue to provide our students with opportunities to advance their research and gain valuable hands-on experience in the space sector, to learn from some of the greatest aerospace engineers and scientists in the world and forge international collaborations that will last their careers,” Professor Koronios said.
Donna’s trip to NASA JPL will also be supported by the University of South Australia through the Maurice de Rohan International Scholarship, supporting students to gain an international perspective and improve their thesis through research, data collection or work with institutional or industry partners in the United Kingdom or US.
Donna Fitzgerald holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from the University of South Australia with First-Class Honours. During her Honours research, Donna assessed the dieback of the red stringybark using remote sensing techniques in a small, remote population in Spring Gully Conservation Park. Find out more about her SmartSat sponsored research here.
Cover photo courtesy of Stephanie Demmrich.