Dr Chandrama Sarker

Experimental Scientist

https://people.csiro.au/s/c/chandrama-sarker

Biography

Chandrama has a background in remote sensing image analysis and water resources with a Bachelor in Geography and a Master of Geoinformation Science and Earth Observation with a specialization in Water Resources in the Netherlands. She did a Master of Engineering from the University of New South Wales.

Before obtaining her PhD degree, she worked as a Research Associate in a project of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, titled, “Development of Spectral Reflectance Methods and Low-Cost Sensors for Real-Time Application of Variable Rate inputs in Precision Farming”.She completed her Ph.D. in automated flood mapping using advanced machine learning techniques from QUT Centre for Robotics.

The objective of her research is to develop classification models utilizing deep feed-forward artificial neural networks that are able to differentiate permanent water bodies from flooded areas in real-time remote sensing images acquired by aerial or space-borne sensors.

Before joining CSIRO as a Spatial Scientist to Land & Water Team, Chandrama’s worked for the Company Downer Defence System as the Subject Matter Expert in Geospatial Data Science. Her roles there to help in doing the geospatial related data analysis in various projects the team involved and also to assist in prototyping various geo-spatial capabilities for future involvements.

Other Interests

Photography, Travelling and cooking

Academic Qualifications

2005

Masters in Geography with specialisations in Remote Sensing and Cartography
University of Calcutta, India
2007

Masters in advanced GIS and Remote Sensing with specialisation in Geohazards
University of Twente and Indian Space Research Organisation
2012

Masters by Research in Spatial Image Analysis
University of New South Wales at Australian Defence Force Academy
2021

PhD in Image Analytics
Queensland University of Technology

Achievements and Awards

2022-2023

Non Cash Reward
Successful delivery of NBIC Stage-1 Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Pilot Project Deliverables
01/01/2016-01/01/2020

Australian Postgraduate Award (APA)
Queensland University of Technology
2008-2011

Post Graduate Research Fellowship of 61,920 AU$ for 3 years from Defence and Security Application Research Centre
Australian Defence Force Academy, University of New South Wales
03/2006-06/2006

ITC/CBP Funds of 330 Euro/month for undergoing a short-term course in “GIS and Remote Sensing for Natural Hazards and Risk Assessment”, EREG 2.0
School of Geoinformation Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, The Netherlands

Current Roles

Lead GIS specialist in Multi hazard Assessment for the Project Regional Adaptive Pathways and Planning
Contributing to analysing the Hazards data and provide a overall hazard assessment map for the study area in NSW with a measurable score
Spatial Data Scientist in the NBIC Bushfire Analytics Team- Dynamic Veg Fuel Team
Leading the Quality Assurance of the deliverables, analysing the forest fuel data for bushfire analysis, providing guidance to vegetation mapping updates for South Eash Queensland deliverables
Subject Matter Expert in the Digital Water Flood Inundation Project
Assist in gathering critical information for remote sensing capability of estimating stream hydraulics at regional scale. Providing assistance in critical reviewing the remote sensing section in the technical writing.
Lead GIS specialist in Enabling Resilience Investment for Bega
Contributing to the GIS analysis

Professional Experiences

01/10/2019-01/11/2021

Spatial Data Scientist
Downer Defence Systems
01/11/2012-01/07/2013

Senior Research Associate - Geospatial and Remote Sensing
Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Central Govt. of India
03/2009-08/2009

Tutor
University of New South Wales at Australian Defence Force Academy