USGIF Announces 2008 Scholarship Recipients

October 29, 2008

Nashville, Tenn. — The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) today announced the recipients of its 2008 Scholarship Program, bring to more than a quarter of a million dollars in the total amount of scholarships provided in the past four years.

This year, the Foundation awarded $56,000 to 13 recipients. Four Ph.D. candidates, three master’s students, three undergraduates and three graduating high school seniors received scholarships from this year’s program. High school winners received $2,000 scholarships and the others received $5,000 scholarships.

“The Foundation and its membership are pleased to be able to support such a successful group of students with these scholarships,” said USGIF President Keith Masback. “Each year, we continue to be amazed by the future generations practicing the tradecraft. We are honored to help sustain the workforce and look forward to increasing our monetary support in the years to come.”

The 2008 Scholarship Program recipients are:

Mr. James Albano is a student in the imaging science doctorate program at Rochester Institute of Technology. He is actively engaged in the area of remote sensing conducting research in the area of target detection algorithms and modeling. His current research includes modeling target spaces for near real-time spectral target detection.

Ms. Katarina Doctor finished her BS in Geography at George Mason University where she continues her studies in the PhD program of earth systems and geoinformation sciences. She is also pursuing her pilot’s license. Her research applies spatial statistics and advanced geospatial technologies to predict and reduce the negative consequences of natural disasters.

Mr. Christopher Goranson, a master’s of GIS candidate at Penn State, is the director of the GIS Center at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The center supports geographic information analysis, GIS training and access to standardized GIS data. Chris recently completed a National Science Foundation fellowship investigating syndromic surveillance cluster detection methods with Japan’s National Institute of Public Health. Chris previously worked for an environmental engineering firm supporting various government agencies.

Mr. Brian Howell is a senior at Virginia Tech, currently sustaining a 3.5 GPA. Brian is majoring in geography with a concentration in geospatial and environmental science and is also pursuing a minor in geosciences. Brian began his career goals by working last year at the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity in its geographic analysis division as an intern analyst.

Ms. Michelle Kinzel is currently a student of geosciences at Oregon State University. She is completing her master’s thesis work on the uses of geovisualizations in education and will continue on with Ph.D. work in 2008. Michelle has extensive experience working with GIS in the fields of
conservation and education and plans to pursue a career teaching geosciences.

Mr. Zachary Lewis graduated in the top 6 percent of 650 graduates from Duncanville High School just south of Dallas. Zachary attends Texas A&M at Corpus Christi and is pursuing a degree in GIS. During the summer, he began pursuing his career goals by working for JEA/Hydrotech Engineering and Surveying.

Mr. Richard Medina is a Ph.D. candidate in the geography department at the University of Utah. His research focuses on spatial analysis, complex systems in real and social spaces, geographic information science, and terrorism and insurgent activity. He expects to graduate in spring 2009.

Mr. Philip Salvaggio is a freshman at Rochester Institute of Technology pursuing a double major in computer science and imaging science. He has worked for the Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Laboratory in the Center for Imaging Science for over a year. During this time he has developed geospatial applications to distribute ground truth data, ENVI plug-ins to geolocate features within imagery and has redesigned the laboratory’s web site and databases.

Tyler Vanbreemen is finishing high school and will seek a degree in geography. His ideal career is to be a GIS designer and to possibly help with the development of future location-based systems. Tyler took part in multiple advanced classes during high school including AP human geography and honors chemistry. In addition, he was a member of the National Honor Society.

Mr. Eric Wind is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in international politics with a focus on the Middle East from Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. Eric plans to use his knowledge of geospatial intelligence and the world to serve the United States after
graduation.

Mr. Antonio Wolf is pursuing a master’s of engineering–GIS from the University of Colorado at Denver after recently receiving a P.B. certification-GIS from the Pennsylvania State
University. Tony has over 5 years experience in remote sensing and MASINT exploitation, and he has supported numerous missions and projects, including Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Global War on Terror and hurricane Katrina relief. Currently, Tony supports the National Air and Space
Intelligence Center Spectral Exploitation Cell (NSEC) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

Mr. Eric Zitz is pursuing a Master of Science degree in the field of applied intelligence from Mercyhurst College Institute for Intelligence Studies. Eric currently supports the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis as a GEOINT collection strategist.

All scholarship recipients were chosen based on their academic and professional excellence in a field related to the geospatial intelligence tradecraft. Qualified candidates were selected by the Foundation’s Scholarship Subcommittee. Information and applications for the 2009 Awards Program can be downloaded from the Foundation’s web site at www.usgif.org.

USGIF is a not-for-profit educational corporation dedicated to promoting the geospatial intelligence tradecraft and developing a stronger community of interest between government, industry, academia, professional organizations and individuals sharing a mission focus around the development and application of geospatial intelligence to address national security objectives.

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