Brian Napoletano's Research Profile

Brian Napoletano

Research Assistant
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Purdue University

Email: bnapolet@purdue.edu
Web: http://www.acontrario.org/research/

Research Themes

• Variations in natural systems
• Ecology of the soundscape
• Social-ecological interactions
• Environmental and social justice

Biography

Brian Napoletano is presently a PhD Candidate at Purdue University in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. He is working with Dr. Bryan Pijanowski in the HEMA Laboratory on the study of large-scale patterns in biodiversity and the collection, analysis and interpretation of acoustic signals in different ecosystems. In addition to these novel research topics, Brian has received formal training in remote sensing and GIS techniques, as well as ecological modeling and complex data analysis.

Prior to studying at Purdue University, Brian worked with Dr. Stuart Gage at Michigan State University as both an Undergraduate and Master’s level research assistant on the development of a conceptual and methodological framework with which to interpret acoustic signals in the environment. Brian began these studies with a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunication, and proceeded to integrate this knowledge of the Mass Media and Information Technology Systems into the development of biological monitoring systems (centered on acoustics) and the use of digital media to disseminate scientific data to the community as the central focus of his Master’s research in the Department of Zoology.

In addition to research experience, Brian has sought experience in undergraduate and graduate education. He served as an instructor and coordinator for the Introduction to Earth Systems Science course at Michigan State University in the Fall Semester of 2004, and he has worked with Dr. John Dunning Jr. of Purdue University as a Teaching Assistant for a Global Environmental Issues course on multiple occasions. Both courses target students with both science and non-science majors and challenge them to attempt to examine the Earth from a global interdisciplinary perspective. Brian has also worked as a teaching assistant on in graduate and undergraduate courses on GIS and remote sensing.

As he plans the next stage of his career, Brian hopes to bring his formal research and teaching experience to communities suffering from the effects of environmental and social crises. He is particularly interested in working as an educator in impoverished or threatened communities around the world.

Educational Background

Current Degree Sought

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Institution: Purdue University
• College: Agriculture
• Department: Forestry and Natural Resources
• Specialization: Remote Sensing and GIS, Biodiversity

Highest Completed Degree

• Master in Science
• Institution: Michigan State University
• College: Natural Science
• Department: Zoology
• Specialization: Remote Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
• Date of Completion: August 2004

Previous Degree

• Bachelor of Arts
• Institution: Michigan State University
• College: Communication Arts and Sciences
• Department: Telecommunication
• Specialization: Information Technology Services, Residential Initiative to Increase Student Awareness of the Environment
• Date of Completion: August 2001

Computing Profile

• Operating System: Ubuntu Linux, Mac OS, Microsoft Windows
• GIS: GRASS, ESRI ArcGIS, Clark Labs IDRISI, ERDAS IMAGINE
• Programming Languages: Python, XHTML & PHP, very little C and C++
• Data Management and Analysis: MySQL, R
• Document Preparation: LaTeX 2e, Microsoft Office, OpenOffice.org