Lifelong Learner
Earth Citizen |
Mangrove Storyteller |
Thalassophile |
Growing up in South Florida, Dr. David Lagomasino had Miami Beach and the Everglades at his backdoor. His fascination with the beach and mangrove forests have taken him around the world which led him to another spectacular coastline, the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Lagomasino first came to North Carolina in 2007 to complete a M.S. in Geology at East Carolina University. There he was charmed by the extensive marshes surrounding Pamlico Sound and the 200-mile stretch of sandy beaches during his thesis studies. After ECU, he returned to South Florida for a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences at Florida International University. At FIU, David used satellite imagery and water chemistry to identify “hidden” pathways of water flowing in the coast both underground and through the trees. Before coming back to ECU and the Department of Coastal Studies, Lagomasino conducted research at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center just outside Washington, D.C., in partnership with the University of Maryland. While at NASA, Lagomasino used his expertise in remote sensing and coastal processes to develop models that measure the where when, and why shorelines are the world are changing.
Lagomasino uses satellite, airborne, drone, and ground measurements to identify areas of coastal resilience and vulnerability. His research links remotely sensed spatial data directly with stakeholders in order to address exposure and sensitivity issues for coastal/wetland management and ecosystem valuation. He has been involved in a several coastal blue carbon projects with funding from NASA’s Carbon Monitoring Systems Program, NASA’s Biodiversity and Forecasting Program, USDA’s National Forest Inventory Assessment Program, NASA’s New Investigator Program, the Center for International Forestry, and the World Wild Fund for Nature. Through his projects, Lagomasino has visited coastal regions around the world and gained insights into coastal issues many other countries face that are similar to North Carolina and the US. Throughout his research and field campaigns, Lagomasino works to engage students in every step of the research process, from sample collection and data analysis to oral and written presentation. His goal is to provide meaningful information that will better inform coastal management practices while also inspiring students and the community to become environmental stewards in order to help sustain our coastal resources.
Lagomasino uses satellite, airborne, drone, and ground measurements to identify areas of coastal resilience and vulnerability. His research links remotely sensed spatial data directly with stakeholders in order to address exposure and sensitivity issues for coastal/wetland management and ecosystem valuation. He has been involved in a several coastal blue carbon projects with funding from NASA’s Carbon Monitoring Systems Program, NASA’s Biodiversity and Forecasting Program, USDA’s National Forest Inventory Assessment Program, NASA’s New Investigator Program, the Center for International Forestry, and the World Wild Fund for Nature. Through his projects, Lagomasino has visited coastal regions around the world and gained insights into coastal issues many other countries face that are similar to North Carolina and the US. Throughout his research and field campaigns, Lagomasino works to engage students in every step of the research process, from sample collection and data analysis to oral and written presentation. His goal is to provide meaningful information that will better inform coastal management practices while also inspiring students and the community to become environmental stewards in order to help sustain our coastal resources.
