Karen An

Karen (she/her) is a postdoctoral scholar at JPL working with Yunling Lou and Cathleen Jones in 334G (Radar Concepts and Formulation). Currently, they are investigating methods to improve post-wildfire and flood recovery analyses with the NASA airborne radar instrument, UAVSAR. Previously during her Ph.D., Karen used interferometric and polarimetric radar products from UAVSAR to study the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and its sinking levees. Karen is interested in integrating radar remote sensing products with GIS visualization techniques to aid disaster response efforts.


Education: 
  • Geography, Ph.D. (2020) University of California, Los Angeles
  • Geography, M.A. (2015) University of California, Los Angeles
  • Environmental Science, B.S. (2013) University of California, Irvine

Research Interests: 
  • Disaster response/mitigation
  • GIS analysis/visualization
  • Interferometric/polarimetric radar remote sensing

Professional Experience: 
  • NASA JPL Postdoctoral Scholar (2021-present)
  • NASA JPL Student Intern Program (2014-2020)
  • NASA DEVELOP Program (2013)
  • Research Assistant, UC Center for Hydrologic Modeling (2012-2013)
  • Research Assistant, Center for Unconventional Security Affairs at UCI (2012)
  • Research Assistant, UCI Saltzman-Aydin Research Group (2011)
  • UCLA Teaching Associate Experience
  • Geography 1: Earth’s Physical Environment 
  • Geography 5: People & Earth’s Ecosystems 
  • Geography 170: Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Geography 172: Remote Sensing Digital Image Processing and Analysis

Selected Awards: 
  • NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) (2017-2020)
  • UCLA Graduate Research Mentorship Fellowship (2015-2016)
  • UCI Earth System Science Departmental Honors (2013)
  • UCI Undergraduate Research/Departmental Service Award in Earth System Science (2013)
  • UCI Dean’s Honor List (2010-2013)

Selected Publications: 
  1. An, K., Jones, C. E., Bekaert, D. P. S., Bennett, V. (in prep.) Radar interferometry offers new monitoring approach for critical flood control infrastructure.
  2. An, K., Jones, C. E., Bekaert, D. P. S., et al. (in prep.) Current-day subsidence within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and its relationship to elevation, soil organic matter and land use practices.
  3. Bekaert, D. P., Jones, C. E., An, K., & Huang, M. H. (2019). Exploiting UAVSAR for a comprehensive analysis of subsidence in the Sacramento Delta. Remote sensing of environment, 220, 124-134.
  4. Jones, C. E., An, K., Blom, R.G., Kent, J.D., Ivins, E.R., Bekaert, D. (2016), Anthropogenic and geologic influences on subsidence in the vicinity of New Orleans, Louisiana, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, 121, 3867–3887. (also adapted for Environmental Science Journal for Teens, January 2017)
Karen An
Address: 
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109