In this interview, you will learn more about the innovative work for which Dr Iestyn Woolway was awarded the prestigious Earth Observation (EO) Excellence Award. They were recognised for their pioneering use of Earth observation satellite data to analyse the effects of climate change on global freshwater resources.
Dr Woolway discusses their motivations for participating in the EO Excellence Award, the impact of receiving it, and how the resources provided by the award have enhanced their research. Their research journey highlights the importance of EO satellite data in understanding and addressing the challenges facing freshwater ecosystems due to climate change and emphasises the need for continued innovation and collaboration in this important area of research.
Maryam Pourshamsi (MP) spoke to Iestyn Woolway (IW) about their experience with the EO Excellence Award just a few months after they won the Individual Award 2024.
MP: Can you provide an overview of the innovative project that earned you the EO Excellence Award?
IW: The EO Excellence Award was awarded to me due to a portfolio of research projects that collectively demonstrate innovative use of satellite Earth Observation (EO) data to study climate change impacts on global freshwater resources. By integrating state-of-the-art techniques such as artificial intelligence with field-based observations and model simulations, my work addresses critical questions about climate change impacts. Notable contributions within this portfolio include introducing the concept of lake heatwaves and calculating key climate change metrics in lakes, which have significantly advanced the field of limnology and expanded the use of satellite EO data in this field.
MP: What motivated you to participate in the EO Excellence Award as a Nominee?
IW: I was motivated to participate in the EO Excellence Award as a nominee because of my passion for advancing the understanding of climate change impacts through innovative research. The recognition and platform provided by the award present an excellent opportunity to highlight the importance of using satellite EO data in environmental science. Additionally, being nominated allowed me to bring greater visibility to the challenges faced by freshwater ecosystems and the need for robust scientific methods to address these issues.
MP: Can you describe your journey through the EO Excellence Award process and how it impacted you both personally and professionally?
IW: My journey through the EO Excellence Award process has been both inspiring and transformative. From the nomination to the final stages, the process provided me with numerous opportunities to reflect on and communicate the significance of my work. Personally, it has been gratifying to see my works recognized by esteemed peers, which has strengthened my resolve to continue contributing to the field. Professionally, the award has opened doors for new collaborations and has enhanced my visibility in the scientific community, leading to greater impact for my research.
MP: How have the resources and recognition from the EO Excellence Award contributed to the advancement of your research and professional goals?
IW: The resources and recognition from the ESA EO Excellence Award have helped me grow my research group at Bangor University in Wales. With the funding I received through the EO Excellence Award, I was able to bring on a PhD student, which means we can now dive deeper into studying satellite EO data for lakes and expand our research even further. The award has also given our work more visibility and validation, leading to new partnerships and collaborations, which are driving further advancements in the use of EO data in environmental science.
If you know someone who also deserves to win the EO Excellence Award, nominate now eoxcellence.com!
About the Author
Maryam Pourshamsi is an Earth Observation Scientist at European Space Agency. She manages the EO Excellence Award 2024. The award recognises and honours an individual early career scientist and team that have made an outstanding contribution to the innovative use of Earth Observations, with a focus on the use of European EO datasets in the field of science and applications.
