Pascal Sirguey
MSc (École Centrale De Lyon) PhD (Otago)
Contact Details
Tel 64 3 479 7698
Email pascal.sirguey@otago.ac.nz
Profile
In 2001 Pascal obtained a diploma of multidisciplinary engineering majoring in mechanical engineering and structure dynamics from the École Centrale de Lyon in France. Pascal started his career as a research engineer with a manufacturer of aircraft engines. He then became a chief project manager for a famous watch manufacturer in Switzerland. In 2005, following a unique one-year experience in New Zealand, where as a research assistant, he discovered the science of remote sensing, Pascal decided to reconsider his career and completed a PhD with the School of Surveying. Pascal joined the School's academic team as a lecturer in early 2008 where he teaches Remote Sensing, Photogrammetry, and spatial analysis.
Pascal's main research aim is to achieve more reliable forecasts and better management of water resources originating from snowmelt. His research focuses on the monitoring of snow cover parameters (e.g., extent, albedo, surface temperature) using remote sensing. This includes:
• The development of satellite image processing techniques (e.g., atmospheric and topographic correction, image fusion, spectral unmixing, BRDF correction) with a specific emphasis on the MODIS and ASTER instruments and the processing of hyper-temporal series.
• The assimilation of remotely sensed information into snowmelt runoff hydrological models.
An associated interest includes the use of satellite images for monitoring the dynamic of temperate glaciers (e.g., feature tracking).
Teaching
- SURV 309 Introduction to Remote Sensing
- SURV 411 Spatial Analysis and Modeling
- SURV 413 Resource Mapping and Image Processing
- SURV 490 Honours dissertation
Research
Research Interests
- Remote sensing of snow and glaciers
- Multispectral image fusion and image processing
- Time series analysis
- Integration of remotely sensed data into GIS and spatial analysis
- Remote sensing and photogrammetry for wildlife and natural resource management and conservation
Current Research Projects
- Monitoring of snow cover and discharge modeling in the Waitaki catchment using remote sensing
- Remote sensing of the surface velocity of Tasman glacier
- Design and calibration of an underwater stereo camcorder for fish population measurements
- Development of an objective metric to assess the performance of image fusion and classification products
Completed Research Projects
Research Collaborations and Affiliations
- ECLIMED – « Observatoire spatial de l'enneigement en Méditerranée », in conjunction with the IRD-CESBIO
Research Students
- Todd Redpath, MSc, Multi-temporal flow fields for the Tasman glacier derived from ASTER imagery, 2010 -
- Abraham Growcott, MSc, Size measurement of sperm whales using photogrammetry methods, 2010
- Delia Strong, MSc, Patterns and processes of ice loss at Tasman Glacier: an evaluation using historic data sources and remotely sensed imagery, 2008
Responsibilities
- Board of Studies for the Ecology Major, nominee member representing the School of Surveying (2008-)
- Chair of the School Web Committee (2010-)
- Member of the School Undergraduate Committee (2009)
- Manager of the Spatial Ecology Research Facility (2008-)
University Level
Department Level
Professional Activities
Awards and achievements
- University of Otago, Exceptional Thesis Award, 2010
- Geoscience & Remote Sensing Society, IGARSS Travel Grant, 2009
- Royal Society of New Zealand, Charles Fleming Fund Travel Award, 2009
- Education New Zealand - New Zealand Postgraduate Study Abroad Awards (NZPSAA), 2007
Memberships
- Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS)
- Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- Contributing member of the Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (GLIMS) - http://www.glims.org/
- Member of the Snow and Ice Research Group (SIRG) - http://www.sirg.org.nz/
- Member of the Polar Environment Research Theme (PE) - http://biochem.otago.ac.nz/polarresearch/
- Member of the Ecology Research Group (ERG) in the theme "Ecological modeling and statistics" - http://www.otago.ac.nz/erg/
- Member of the Active Earth Processes Research Theme (AEP) - http://www.aep.otago.ac.nz/introduction.html
Refereed Journal Articles and Conference Papers