Sarah N. PowerI'm a PhD candidate advised by Dr. Jeb Barrett in the Biological Sciences Department at Virginia Tech. I am also part of the Remote Sensing Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program (RS IGEP). My research is at the intersection of remote sensing and ecosystem ecology. I use a combination of remote sensing techniques, modeling, laboratory analyses, and field surveying and sampling to better understand the distribution and dynamics of photosynthetic microbial communities in the soils and streams of Taylor Valley, Antarctica. In the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, cyanobacteria within microbial mats and biocrusts are the dominant primary producers. Life in Antarctica is right at our boots, and satellites are capturing its signatures. Outside of being a scientist, I'm also a long distance backpacker, cyclist, out-of-breath trail runner, moss admirer, and a dog mom to an adorable 15 year old corgi. In my spare time, you can find me on the local trails or exploring in my '07 Subaru Outback. |
Education
2019 - Present Ph.D. in Biological Sciences Remote Sensing Interdisciplinary Graduate Program Certificate in Geospatial Information Tech (2021) Certificate in Remote Sensing (2022) Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 2019 M.S. in Biological Sciences Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 2016 B.S. in Biological Engineering (Land & Water Resources) University of Florida Gainesville, Florida 2012 A.A. in Engineering Santa Fe College Gainesville, Florida |