Postdoctoral Research Associate, Environmental Science

Research Intrests

My research uses integrated geospatial technologies (GIS, remote sensing, GPS, spatial analysis and landscape ecology approaches) for multi-scale mapping, monitoring and modeling of environmental spatial heterogeneity, particularly in riparian, savanna, and forest ecosystems. These efforts include quantification of change in landscape pattern, investigating the linkages between pattern and processes, and understanding the pattern-process dynamic within different environmental management regimes. My research also addresses access, availability, and accuracy of geospatial datasets and environmental datasets, and scale in natural resource and environmental research. I am also interested in the development of collaborative schemes for monitoring and management of natural resources using the web and other means. I am committed to the dissemination of results from these endeavors to clientele groups throughout the world through innovative use of the Internet, as well as with presentations and workshops.

Education

2000–2004	University of California Berkeley	Berkeley, CA
Ph.D., Environmental Science, Policy and Management Dissertation: “Partitioning of heterogeneity in an object-oriented riparian boundary classification system for a South African savanna.”

1997-2000	University of California Berkeley	Berkeley, CA
M.S., Environmental Science, Policy and Management Thesis: “Impact of Land Use Change on Vegetation Patterns in the Sierra Nevada.”

2000–2004	University of California Berkeley	Berkeley, CA
B.A., Molecular and Cell Biology with emphasis in Neurobiology

 

Selected Experience

1998-Present	Spatial Informatics Group, LLC	San Leandro, CA
Principal and Managing Partner: Successfully carried out contracts solving ecological problems using geo-spatial technologies. Clients include: Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), AC Transit, Balance Hydrologics Inc., Terrel Watt Planers and Environment Now, Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI), and the Massachusetts Aububon Society. Managed company affairs including day to day operations, reviewing and enforcing contracts, and establishing budgets.

1997-2003	University of California Berkeley	Berkeley, CA
Graduate Student Researcher: Designed, organized, and executed major collaborative ecological research projects utilizing geographic information systems, remote sensing, and field campaigns. Mentored and supervised student researchers working on related components of individual research projects. Provided theoretical and technical expertise on numerous publications and interdisciplinary meetings.

1993-1997	University of California Berkeley	Berkeley, CA
Senior Research Assistant: Managed, and successfully completed biogeochemistry experiments which required the use of highly technical equipment including autoanalyzers, gas chromatographs, and mass spectrometers. Supervised undergraduate researchers working on related project components as well as trained and assisted graduate student research. Organized and managed field campaigns in Hawaii, California and South Africa. Supervised the collection, organization, and analysis of all field samples and resulting data sets on concurrent projects. Provided technical expertise on numerous publications and interdisciplinary meetings.

1990-1993	NASA Ames Research Center	Mt. View, CA
Research Assistant: Conducted biogeochemistry and remote sensing experiments including nutrient budgeting and multi-spectral analysis. Implemented field campaigns in Hawaii and throughout California with field crews. Accountable for the collection, organization, and analysis of all field samples and resulting data sets.

 

Courses Offered

Accelerated Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Environmental Science
This course serves as an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It is designed to provide students with basic concepts, principles and applications of GIS and their use in the decision making process, pertaining to natural resource management. Students will perform the practical exercises in ESRI's ArcGIS.

Publications

Khazai, B., D. S. Saah, et al. (1998). Predicting seismic slope stability in the San Francisco Bay area using GIS modeling. Berkeley, UC Berkeley: 10.

SAAH, D. S. (2001). Impact of Land Use Change on Vegetation Patterns in the Sierra Nevada. Environmental Science, Policy, and Management. Berkeley, University of California, Berkeley: 134.

SAAH, D. S. (2004). Partitioning of heterogeneity in an object-oriented riparian boundary classification system for a South African savanna. Environmental Science, Policy, & Management. Berkeley, CA, University of California, Berkeley.

SAAH, D. S. and T. L. BENNING (2003). Partitioning of heterogeneity in an object-oriented riparian boundary classification system for a South African savanna. The Ecological Society of America, Savannah, GA.

SAAH, D. S., T. L. BENNING, et al. (2000). Documenting the impacts of changing land use and land holding trends on vegetation patterns in the California Sierra Nevada using a geographic information system (GIS). The Ecological Society of America, Snowbird, UT.

Wacker, M., D. S. Saah, et al. (2002). Forty Years of Land Use and Land Ownership Change in Central Sierra Nevada Oak Woodlands, USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-184.

Other Information

Languages: English and Conversational Arabic
Citizen of the United States of America
Life Member of the National Eagle Scout Association
Bellarmine College Preparatory Alumni

Spatial Informatics Group, LLC