Surveying student Kyran Cook has the winning recipe

A Bachelor of Surveying (Honours) student from the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) has been named the national undergraduate student winner at the Geospatial Excellence Awards for 2023/2024.

Kyran Cook’s winning research project focused on the accurate and timely measurement of erosion, where he developed an innovative method for identifying erosion using satellite remote sensing and Synthetic Aperture Radar images.

The research was also published in the high-ranking journal Remote Sensing, a significant accomplishment for an undergraduate student.

The Geospatial Excellence Awards, which were announced at the Geospatial Council of Australia Locate24 conference in Sydney, celebrate the achievements of top geospatial organisations and individuals, showcasing the industry's finest projects and most significant professional performances.

Mr Cook’s project supervisor Dr Armin Agha Karimi said the award was a testament to Mr Cook’s hard work and outstanding research.

“Erosion is a powerful force that impacts ecosystems, reduces agricultural production and affects water quality,” Dr Karimi said.

“A better understanding of erosion dynamics can inform land management practices, water conservation efforts, and ecosystem protection.

“Kyran’s study demonstrated the feasibility of developing an erosion analysis system for arid regions, providing near real-time data.

“The project also used field data, including aerial imagery and soil sampling, to check the effectiveness of the data.

“Kyran’s talent, dedication and innovation throughout this project shows he will be a leader in the geospatial industry.”

Mr Cook’s research paper is available to read. Learn more about UniSQ’s School of Surveying and Built Environment.