Fernanda Lopez Ornelas

Fernanda Lopez Ornelas

Adjunct Professor & Geospatial Analysis Lab Manager

Instructor
Part-Time Faculty
Harney Science Center G24

Biography

Fernanda Lopez Ornelas is a Mexican biologist and environmental manager who has always been passionate about nature and environmental phenomena. She earned her biology degree in Mexico and completed her Master of Science in Environmental Management at USF, where she developed a strong interest in geospatial technologies and GIS. She is proud to be part of the first group to obtain the GIS Certificate recently developed by USF’s Geospatial Analysis Lab (GsAL). Lopez Ornelas has a particular interest in remote sensing techniques and LiDAR technologies. She has experience working in environmental education and conservation in Mexico and is currently the manager of the Geospatial Analysis Lab at USF.

Expertise

  • GIS
  • LiDAR Technologies
  • Ecology
  • Spanish

Research Areas

  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Geospatial Science
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Education

Education

  • University of San Francisco, MSc in Environmental Management, 2016
  • Universidad Simon Bolivar (Mexico), BS in Biology, 2010

Prior Experience

  • Lab Manager, Geospatial Analysis Lab, University of San Francisco
  • Research Scientist, Spatial Information Group LLC, Pleasanton, CA
  • Data Management Leader, IDCN, Paris
  • Science and Health contents creator, BrainPop Mexico, Mexico City

Selected Publications

  • Innovations in Measuring and Managing Forest Carbon Stocks in California, California's Fourth Climate Change Assessment

  • The Mexican Water Forest: benefits of using remote sensing techniques to assess changes in land use and land cover