Zenith Fellow Mentee, Class of 2024
The University of British Columbia, Honours in Earth and Environmental Sciences
Mentor: Lisa Marie Vaccaro

Megan has always had a passion for discovery and unraveling the mysteries of the universe. This inherent curiosity led her to study geographic information science, where she realized the interconnectedness of earth and space science, particularly in the applications of remote sensing and earth observation.

Megan is a graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Earth and Environmental Sciences program. The interdisciplinary nature of the program allowed her to explore a diverse range of topics, including geology, hydrology, physics, biology, and computer and data science. As a member of the UBC Earth Observation and Spatial Ecology Lab, she conducted research aimed at automating grassland classification and mapping. This involved the integration of satellite imagery and field survey data into machine learning models. The project was completed in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia as a first step towards improving the efficiency of national ecosystem inventory mapping procedures. Megan is enthusiastic about the transformative potential of machine learning and artificial intelligence in advancing earth observation and space exploration.

Beyond her academic and scientific pursuits, Megan embraces creativity through visual art and music. As a believer in making the most of opportunities, she has recently taken up figure skating and joined an inclusive modeling agency. Alongside her creative endeavors, she finds enjoyment in playing video games, learning languages, caring for pets, and exploring new places.

Honoured to have been selected as a Zenith Fellow, Megan looks forward to building meaningful connections and a fulfilling career.