BOULDER, Colo. – Jan. 30, 2012 – ASD Inc., a global leader in high-performance analytical instrumentation and materials analysis solutions, announced today the Alexander Goetz Instrument Support Program award recipients for 2012. This year’s seven winning research projects range from hyperspectral analysis to non-invasive identification of artistic materials.  

The award is named for ASD Inc. co-founder and Chief Scientist Dr. Alexander Goetz, who is recognized as a pioneer in the fields of remote sensing and imaging spectrometry. He is often referred to as “the father of hyperspectral imaging” and has played a critical role in developing portable instrumentation for field spectroscopy research applications.

The seven winners of the 2012 awards, all Ph.D. and master’s candidates in their respective fields, were selected for their creative research projects that apply reflectance spectroscopy to advance understanding in their fields of study. “ASD pioneered high-performance analytical instrumentation solutions used in the field and labs around the world more than 20 years ago, and one of the ways we continue to drive this innovation is through supporting student researchers,” said Dr. Goetz.

Research topics and winners of the 2012 Goetz Award include:

Barbara Rasaiah, Ph.D. Candidate

• Institution: Geospatial Sciences, RMIT University
• Proposal Title:  “The Role of Hyperspectral Metadata in Hyperspectral Data Exchange”

Chandi Witharana, Ph.D. Candidate

• Institution: Center for Integrative Geosciences, University of Connecticut
• Proposal Title: “Bridging the Knowledge Gaps on Applications of Advanced Earth Observation for Ecosystem Conservation Efforts Among Developing Nations”

Kurt Prospere, Ph.D. Candidate

• Institution: Environmental Biology, University of the West Indies
• Proposal Title: “Establishment of Spectral Libraries for the Identification of Wetland Vegetation in the Black River Lower Morass, Jamaica”

Anuradha Pallipurath, Ph.D. Candidate

• Institution: Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge
• Proposal Title:  “Non-invasive Identification of Artists’ Materials on Illuminated Manuscripts by Fiber Optics Reflectance Spectroscopy”

Angela Erb, MSc student, USA and Kiran Gurm, MSc student, CA

• Institution: Specialized Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences, University of Zurich
• Proposal Title: “Changing Vegetation Composition in the Arctic: Towards Quantifying Climate Feedbacks Through Shortwave Energy Fluxes and Methane Emissions”

Elizabeth Burakowski, Ph.D. Candidate

• Institution: Earth and Environmental Science, University of New Hampshire
• Proposal Title: “Spectral Surface Albedo of Forested and Cleared Land”

David Browning, Masters of Science Candidate

• Institution: Department of Geological Sciences, University of Idaho
• Proposal Title: “Hyperspectral Remote Sensing In Mineral Exploration Applications: Using Ammonium-Illite as a Pathfinder for Gold”

These student researchers will have access to the most advanced spectroscopy tools available. The Goetz Program will provide them with temporary use of field instrumentation including the newly introduced FieldSpec® 4 spectroradiometer, TerraSpec® 4 Hi-Res mineral analyzer and the well-known FieldSpec 3 and HandHeld 2 instruments. Additionally, recipients are eligible to receive up to $500 (USD) toward publication charges for recipients whose completed paper is published by an approved journal, and/or reimbursement of travel costs to recipients with an accepted abstract for an oral or poster presentation at a relevant scientific conference.

The Goetz Instrument Support Program is co-sponsored by ASD Inc. and the Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS), a member organization of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). This is the sixth year of the program.