ICDS Events

Featured Researcher: Andrew Shaughnessy

What’s the elevator pitch for your research?

Understanding processes that impact water quality and quantity is pivotal in maintaining the safety and security of our water resources in the future. My research focuses on using machine learning to link the changes in the hydrologic cycle to anthropogenic perturbations. I integrate data science and geoscience perspectives by utilizing a novel combination of sample-based and data-driven techniques across various spatial and temporal scales to investigate environmental issues.By developing a deeper understanding of earth surface processes, we can protect future human and environmental health, especially facing impending climate change challenges.

How did you get into this research field?

I first found myself becoming interested in data science during my undergrad when I was tasked with correcting sensor data for calibration drift. I quickly learned that applying excel formulas by hand was time consuming and often lead to issues with reproducibility. I taught myself how to code in R and subsequently published an R package to help other scientists drift correct their own data. Learning how to code was the first step in my journey towards becoming an environmental data scientist.

What is your academic background?

I received my bachelor’s in Chemistry and Environmental Science at Saint Louis University. Since then, I have been working on my PhD in Geosciences here at Penn State.

What are the big problems you hope your research solves — and/or the big opportunities you hope your research seizes?

To me, water quality and quantity issues are some of the most important. Everyone needs clean water and there are big concerns about the security of our water resources in the future, especially in the face of climate change. I hope that my research can help us predict where and why we might expect water quality degradation in the future in order to develop targeted remediation strategies.

What types of interdisciplinary collaborations would you like to build in the future?

The hydrosphere is the key link between atmospheric, terrestrial, biological, and marine processes. I would like to collaborate with all these different sub-fields of Earth Science to build a more wholistic understanding of earth surface processes. Additionally, water quality issues are important with respect to human and environmental health. I would like to collaborate with researchers involved with environmental ethics and stewardship.

What’s your advice for would-be scientists?

One piece of advice that I have for would-be-scientists is to always continue to build your scientific toolbox. Answering difficult questions often involves creative solutions that draw on many analytical, statistical, and data-driven techniques.

Favorite hobbies/pastimes that have nothing to do with your professional work?

One of my favorite hobbies is reading books. I work on the computer most of the day and I find it incredibly relaxing to finish the day with a good book. I am a big fan of mystery novels and I’m always looking for good recommendations.

What is something that people are surprised to discover about you?

I have always been a huge fan of classic cars. When I was 15 I bought a bright yellow 1948 Chrysler New Yorker from a barn in Lecompton, Kansas. I worked on that car all the time throughout high school and when I left for college, I donated it to the Kansas City Automotive Museum. If you are ever in Kansas City, you can still see my car sitting out front.

Three favorite podcasts

1. • Crime Junkies
   • Blood Brothers Crime Writing
   • Anything from Wondery (Dr. Death, Bad Batch, The Shrink Next Door)

Share

Related Posts

• Featured Researcher: Nick Tusay
• Multi-institutional team to use AI to evaluate social, behavioral science claims
• NSF invests in cyberinfrastructure institute to harness cosmic data
• Center for Immersive Experiences set to debut, serving researchers and students
• Distant Suns, Distant Worlds
• CyberScience Seminar: Researcher to discuss how AI can help people avoid adverse drug interactions
• AI could offer warnings about serious side effects of drug-drug interactions
• Taking RTKI drugs during radiotherapy may not aid survival, worsens side effects
• Cost-effective cloud research computing options now available for researchers
• Costs of natural disasters are increasing at the high end
• Model helps choose wind farm locations, predicts output
• Virus may jump species through ‘rock-and-roll’ motion with receptors
• Researchers seek to revolutionize catalyst design with machine learning
• Resilient Resumes team places third in Nittany AI Challenge
• ‘AI in Action’: Machine learning may help scientists explore deep sleep
• Clickbait Secrets Exposed! Humans and AI team up to improve clickbait detection
• Focusing computational power for more accurate, efficient weather forecasts
• How many Earth-like planets are around sun-like stars?
• Professor receives NSF grant to model cell disorder in heart
• SMH! Brains trained on e-devices may struggle to understand scientific info
• Whole genome sequencing may help officials get a handle on disease outbreaks
• New tool could reduce security analysts’ workloads by automating data triage
• Careful analysis of volcano’s plumbing system may give tips on pending eruptions
• Reducing farm greenhouse gas emissions may plant the seed for a cooler planet
• Using artificial intelligence to detect discrimination
• Four ways scholars say we can cut the chances of nasty satellite data surprises
• Game theory shows why stigmatization may not make sense in modern society
• Older adults can serve communities as engines of everyday innovation
• Pig-Pen effect: Mixing skin oil and ozone can produce a personal pollution cloud
• Researchers find genes that could help create more resilient chickens
• Despite dire predictions, levels of social support remain steady in the U.S.
• For many, friends and family, not doctors, serve as a gateway to opioid misuse
• New algorithm may help people store more pictures, share videos faster
• Head named for Ken and Mary Alice Lindquist Department of Nuclear Engineering
• Scientific evidence boosts action for activists, decreases action for scientists
• People explore options, then selectively represent good options to make difficult decisions
• Map reveals that lynching extended far beyond the deep South
• Gravitational forces in protoplanetary disks push super-Earths close to stars
• Supercomputer cluster donation helps turn high school class into climate science research lab
• Believing machines can out-do people may fuel acceptance of self-driving cars
• People more likely to trust machines than humans with their private info
• IBM donates system to Penn State to advance AI research
• ICS Seed Grants to power projects that use AI, machine learning for common good
• Penn State Berks team advances to MVP Phase of Nittany AI Challenge
• Creepy computers or people partners? Working to make AI that enhances humanity
• Sky is clearing for using AI to probe weather variability
• ‘AI will see you now’: Panel to discuss the AI revolution in health and medicine
• Privacy law scholars must address potential for nasty satellite data surprises
• Researchers take aim at hackers trying to attack high-value AI models
• Girls, economically disadvantaged less likely to get parental urging to study computers
• Seed grants awarded to projects using Twitter data
• Researchers find features that shape mechanical force during protein synthesis
• A peek at living room decor suggests how decorations vary around the world
• Interactive websites may cause antismoking messages to backfire
• Changing how government assesses risk may ease fallout from extreme financial events
• Symposium at U.S. Capitol seeks solutions to election security
• ICS co-sponsors Health, Environment Seed Grant Program
• Differences in genes’ geographic origin influence mitochondrial function
• Using social media to solve social problems- study funded by ICS seed grant