XYLEM Presents at the American Geophysical Union Fall 2024 Meeting

The just-ended American Geophysical Union (AGU2024) Conference, held in Washington, D.C., from December 9-13, provided an incredible platform for Earth and space scientists to exchange knowledge, present research, and engage in dynamic discussions. A few members of Xylem Lab had the privilege of participating in a range of activities at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. From exhibitions and poster presentations to networking opportunities, thought-provoking discussions, and games that were sonatas to the mind. 

Members of the Xylem Lab after a poster presentation session. Image from the left: Faculty Specialist Ivan Zvonkov, Research Assistant Christopher Wakhanala, Research Assistant Iman Smith, Research Assistant Anjali Paliyam, and Faculty Specialist Diana Botchway Frimpong.

Some may wonder if these conferences aren't typically about the thickness of fossilized mammoth thigh bones that were discovered in my grandmother's attic—I mean, the arctic, buried many odd years beneath the pre-anthropogenic ice sheet, or certain Neanderthals, and why Australopithecus afarensis (also known as LUCY) prefers to dance in Addis? You know, the same boring events that occur every year? You wouldn’t be alone in that assumption. 

However, AGU is far from a monotonous academic exercise; it is a global convergence of scientists tackling real-world challenges through interdisciplinary research in atmospheric and ocean sciences, hydrology, Earth sciences, and even space exploration. Members of the Xylem Lab, led by Dr. Catherine Nakalembe of the University of Maryland's Department of Geographical Sciences, were partakers of this year’s event. Xylem Lab focuses on addressing global challenges by inventing ways to harness satellite data and machine learning to improve agriculture and food security.  This essentially bridges the gap between yottabytes of archived scientific data and the usage of such data for everyday socio-economic and cultural practices.

Five years ago, it would have been written off as a jest if I was told I would be discussing satellite data applications with such enthusiasm. Thanks to Xylem Lab, I can now see my cocoa farm from space—isn't that fascinating?

Groundbreaking Presentation: ‘Whose Priorities Matter?’

Out of the several lab research projects, a few were presented at the AGU2024 Conference. Key among them was the paper titled “Whose Priorities Matter?” authored by Dr. Catherine Nakalembe. For all the jargon-laden scientific sessions, presentations, and exhibitions, this poster was the highlight of my week since it addressed both the scientific approach and socio-economic concerns.

This paper sparked intense conversations about the evolving landscape of satellite Earth observation (EO) in Africa. While EO technology is transforming sectors such as agriculture and disaster management, the reality is that many African nations lack control over how data is collected, processed, and used. The paper underscored key challenges, including foreign-led satellite projects that limit local expertise and decision-making.

By highlighting the need for greater autonomy, increased training for local experts, and expanded access to EO technology, we brought to the forefront a critical discussion—one that resonated deeply with many of the conference attendees. It’s a stark contrast: while the U.S. has satellite insights into every coffee-growing region worldwide, many African nations producing these cash crops lack access to their own satellite data. AGU2024 became an avenue to challenge these disparities and advocate for greater local ownership of scientific advancements.

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Other Highlights from Xylem Lab Presenters

Xylem Lab was well represented at AGU2024, with several members sharing their research:

Adebowale Daniel Adebayor, a doctoral student, presented his research, “Reconciling Remote Sensing and Survey-based Cropland Area Estimates in Africa.” His study addresses the challenges of producing precise cropland area estimates.

Adebowale highlighted real-world applications while discussing the study's significance:

“Through our previous capacity development efforts, training initiatives, and stakeholder discussions with country agencies and ministries, we identified two pressing priorities: monitoring crop conditions with an accurate cropland mask and producing precise cropland area estimates. These insights are crucial for informing policy and decision-making regarding agricultural monitoring and food security assessment. This study addresses these priorities by providing a framework tailored to these
needs.”

Faculty Specialist Diana Botchway Frimpong presented findings from two research papers from our lab, namely, "Rapid Assessment of 2024 Kenya Flood Impacts on Croplands Using SAR Remote Sensing“ and “A scalable regional yield sampling framework for East and Southern Africa.". She shared

her enthusiasm for the conference:

“I had the pleasure of meeting and interacting with both researchers and scientists alike. The highlight of my time was having the opportunity to present two research posters from our research group. However, was it a little overwhelming? Yes, and would I ever want to be at future AGU's? Absolutely!! The experience was invaluable and I learned so much from the diverse range of presentations and discussions at the conference.”

AGU was intriguing and appealing to Abena Boatemaa Asare-Ansah, a doctoral student at Xylem Lab, who had the opportunity to interact with hundreds of students and experts:

“I was thrilled to see over 26,000+ attendees sharing their discoveries and solutions to pressing societal challenges. At the conference, I had the opportunity to present on behalf of a colleague on the topic "Heterogeneity of landscape deformations in a landslide-prone region in Eastern Uganda" and I greatly valued the feedback from the presentation. One of the highlights for me was a discussion session titled "Ethically Engaging Communities in Research: What Matters?" where great minds shared invaluable insights from their fieldwork experiences. Overall, it was heartwarming to connect with new people and reconnect with old friends, and I eagerly look forward to many more years of AGU.”

A Vibrant and Thought-Provoking Experience

Beyond the research presentations, AGU2024 was an immersive experience filled with engaging discussions over coffee, exhibits from leading organizations like ESRI, IBM, and the Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society, and networking opportunities with universities and scientific communities. The atmosphere was both exhilarating and welcoming, offering a space for scholars and professionals from all backgrounds to connect and share ideas.

AGU2024 remained a lingering thought at the back of my mind while I walked home that day and stayed so for the whole week - a reminder that EO data is accessible, collaborative, and impactful for diverse communities around the world. It was the smile in the corner of my lips as I reminisced about what a productive day I had, the bubbly feeling I have after satisfying that coffee craving, and the rush of adrenaline as my eagerness to share my experience with my colleagues grew. In short, AGU2024 was more than just a conference, and I look forward to AGU2025.

Blog post by Ms. Monica Adjei

Published on Tues, 03/04/2025 - 01:06