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Séamus O'Donnell

Summary Key Skills Experience Projects Education Certifications Publications Memberships Details

CV

Summary

I'm a Geo-professional working at the intersection of Earth Observation, Geology, and Environmental Modelling, particularly in river modelling using satellite sensors. My work includes creating workflows to support ecosystem monitoring for sensitive river catchments and wetland restoration projects. In my years of work I have contributed to ESA-supported water and carbon ventures, at conferences, and co-authored a paper whilst continuing my professional development to expand into other relevant industries.

Skills

GIS - Geospatial Analysis, Database Management, QGIS, Post-GIS, ESRI Products, Copernicus WEkEO

Remote Sensing - Spectral & Radar Analysis, Google Earth Engine, ESA SNAP, NV5 ENVI, NASA SeaDAS

Geology - Environmental Modelling, Hydrology, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Geology

Data Science - Analysis & Statistics, Regression Modelling, OpenModel, OpenRefine, SPSS

Programming - SQL, GEE.js, Python, HTML5 & CSS, Git & BASH, (this website!)

Soft Skills - Detail oriented, Adaptable, MSOffice/LibreOffice, Windows, Linux, FOSS, VScode

Professional Experience

GIS & Remote Sensing Specialist - Aquascope | UK (Remote), 2021 - Present

  • Plans, designs, and implements Catchment Modelling workflows using National and Global Datasets, developing catchment basins using DEM data for UK and European rivers.
  • Generates discharge and water quality model parameter sets, performing statistical analysis comparing model results against local river monitoring data to calibrate models.
  • Produces and develops GEE scripts from scratch using remote sensing data to create near real-time meteorological inputs for catchment model simulations.
  • Produces and manages geodatabase structures, maintaining catchment model and spatial file organisation alongside clear documentation.

    • Projects

    ESA - APPS - Autonomous, Proven, Predictive, Scaleable

  • Combining Remote Sensing Meteorology data from ECMWF ERA-5 and NASA GPM IMERG in Google Earth Engine to model (in PERSIST/INCA) River Discharge and Nitrate/Phosphate, and display on an interactive dashboard. Used IFS data in the models for predictive river forecasting for 10 UK Rivers, including the Thames and Wye.
  • Demonstrated predictive abilities of PERSIST/INCA models for the first time, achieving 65-87% goodness-of-fit.

    • ESA Continuation Project - MRV & Carbon Accounting in Complex River Systems

  • Developing from ESA-APPS, integrate additional INCA models to monitor and estimate Carbon biomass accumulation scenarios in Slovenian Wetlands. In collaboration with CarbonClear to aid in ecological management through Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification with a Carbon Asset Verification (CAVe) Report. Project Ongoing

    • WWF Catchment Modelling and Scenario Planning - Modelling in Environmentally Sensitive River Basins

  • Working with the World Wildlife Fund to develop further catchments in the Aquascope Dashboard, assisting with additonal Catchment Management Plans to improve river water quality and mitigate future trends with scenario modelling. Project Ongoing

    • Education

    MSc Geographic Information Science with Distinction | University of Edinburgh, 2020 - 2021

  • Thesis & Technical Document: "Evaluating the Suitability of Sentinel-2 Imagery for Marine Macro-plastic Detection in Coastal Areas". Currently under Review for Publication
  • Modules: Remote Sensing, Earth Observation, Environmental & Spatial Modelling, Technological Infrastructure.

    • BSc (Honours) Geology 2:1 | Cardiff University, 2014 - 2017

  • Thesis & Fieldmapping: "The Geology of St. Davids Coastline, South West Wales"
  • Modules: Geological Fieldwork (Wales, Scotland, England, Spain, Cyprus), Structural Geology & Geotechnical Engineering, Resource Mapping, Hydro- & Glaciology, GIS, Geomorphology.

    • Certifications

  • 9+ Courses on Earth & Environmental Observation using Satellite Data - NASA ARSET, 2022 - Ongoing
  • 3 Courses on the Copernicus Remote Sensing Ecosystem - University of Luxembourg CC 2021, Copernicus ECMWF 2025
  • 2 Courses on GIS Programming and QGIS - ESRI 2020, Udemy 2021
  • CPD Structural Geology for Exploration & Mining - Cardiff University, 2020
  • Additional Certifications, Trainings, and details on LinkedIn

    • Research Publications

    Whitehead, P. G., Edmunds, P., Bussi, G., O’Donnell, S., Futter, M., 2024. "Real-time Water Quality Forecasting in Rivers Using Satellite Data and Dynamic Models: An Online System for Operational Management, Control and Citizen Science". Frontiers in Environmental Science, 12:1331783. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1331783

    Memberships & Associations

  • Association for Geographic Information (AGI) - Network Member, 2020 - Present
  • Royal Geographic Society of London (GSL) - Fellow (FGS), 2014 - 2021

    • Conference Attendences

  • Google Geo For Good, Virtual 2021-2022, Mountain View CA 2023, Dublin 2024
  • ESA ECSECO 1st General Meeting, Vienna 2022

    • Additional Details

    Location - Vienna, Austria / Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK

    Languages - English (Native), German (A1), Welsh (A1)

    Right to Work/Authorisation/Permit - UK and EU/EEA without sponsorship (Irish National)