Peyton Smith

Peyton Smith

  • Geosciences Graduate Teaching Assistant
  • Geosciences
    • (630) 803-0690
    pms0042@auburn.edu
    STEM+AG Complex B, Graduate Offices, 1288
    LinkedIn
    OrcID

    Peyton Smith is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Geosciences where she is currently pursuing an M.S. in Geography and Environmental Studies. Her current research focuses on Cultural Heritage Preservation using 3D technologies, particularly photogrammetry. Her background and further interests center around Geospatial/GIS Data Governance, Indigenous Data Governance, and Community Geography.

    Education

    • Bachelors of Arts in Geography University of Missouri 2026

    Professional Experience

    2024 - Summer 2026: Research Assistant – Department of Geography, University of Missouri. PI: Sheila Grant, NSF ART: Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Commercialization Hub Grant: “Translation of Geoscience Technology to Empower Communities,” (Award# 0075416).

    2024 - Summer 2026: Research Assistant – Department of Geography, University of Missouri. PI: Dr. Medeia Csoba DeHass, NSFCAREER Grant: “Three-Dimensional Modeling and Digital Repatriation of Arctic Indigenous Heritage in the Bering Strait Region of Alaska,” (Award # 2327574).

    Fall 2025: Intern – Missouri Spatial Data Information Service. Supervisor: Tom Vought.

    Fall 2025: Research Intern – Museum of Anthropology, University of Missouri. Supervising Instructor: Jessica Boldt.

    Summer 2025: Fieldwork Research Assistant - Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, National Park Service. PI: Dr. Medeia Csoba DeHass, Dr. Gabriella R. Harris.

    Spring 2025: Independent Student Research - Department of Geography and Missouri Spatial Data Information Service, Supervising Instructors: Dr. Medeia Csoba-DeHass, Tom Vought.

    2023, 2025: Research Assistant – Department of Geography, University of Missouri. PI: Dr. Soren Larsen, Funded by Faculty Research Incentive Fund, Department of Geography, University of Missouri.



    Innovation

    Publications:

    Peer-Reviewed

    Forthcoming

    Fall 2026: Smith, P., Csoba DeHass, M., Vought, T. Assessing Indigenous Data Presence and Governance Needs in Public Geospatial Repositories. Journal of Information Science.

    In Print

    Spring 2026: McEwen, L.; Raymond-Yakoubian, J.; Csoba DeHass, M.; Ellanna, Li.; Smith, P.; Vallier, A.. Geocoding Arctic Indigenous Geospatial Heritage Information in Museum Collections for Knowledge Repatriation. Environment and Planning F.

    Summer 2025: Vallier, A., McEwen, L., Bailey, A., Meyerhoff, B., Smith, P., Taitt, A., Ellanna, L., Raymond-Yakouobian, J., Csoba DeHass, M. Perspectives on Co-Production of Knowledge in Fieldwork Experience for 3D Preservation of Indigenous Heritage. Museum Worlds.


    Non- Refereed:

    Summer 2026: Smith, P. Author, Creative Non-Fiction Essay. Keosauqua, The New Territory Magazine. Summer, 2026.

    Fall 2024: Bailey, A., Smith, P., McEwen, L., Meyerhoff, B., Munene, C., Vallier, A. UM Museum of Anthropology Newsletter, Issue 16, page 3. Non-Peer Reviewed Publication.

    June 2024: Smith, P. Blog Series Editor, Non-Peer Reviewed Publication. 3dheritage.research.st




    Engagement

    Teaching:

    Writing Keosauqua. Presented as Invited Lecturer to Undergraduate students in GEOG 3580 Writing Intensive. Department of Geography, University of Missouri. February 16th, 2026. February 2026.

    Missouri Spatial Data Information Service GIS Training. Second in series of workshops. Designed and co-led introductory GIS training workshop for State of Missouri employees. February 18th, 2026.

    Missouri Spatial Data Information Service GIS Training. Designed and co-led GIS training workshop for State of Missouri employees. November 10th, 2025.

    Introduction to 3D Technologies Workshop. Guided visitors through photogrammetry and structured light scanning practices and their applications. October 6th, 2025.

    GeoCamp – University of Missouri. Designed and assisted in facilitating geographic education activities for 6th-8th grade students. July 2025.

    Introduction to Photogrammetry Principles Workshop. Provided an overview of photography practices and their applications to 3D modeling. Milwaukee Public Museum. June 3rd, 2024.

    Professional Service:

    Columbia Young Scientists Expo. Introduced youth (K-12) attendees to 3D modeling though photography, photogrammetry, and structured light demonstrations and hands-on activities. March 8th, 2025, University of Missouri.

    Columbia Young Scientists Fair. Surveyed and graded youth (K-12) science fair projects. March 8th, 2025, University of Missouri.

    Cultural Enrichment Chair, Beta Chi Omicron Honors Society, University of Missouri. 2025 - 2026.

    Secretary, Geography Club, University of Missouri. 2025 - 2026.

    Vice President, Gamma Theta Upsilon Honors Society, University of Missouri. 2024 - 2025.

    President, Geography Club, University of Missouri. 2024 - 2025

    Volunteer Data Collector, “Art in the Park” Community Event, Columbia, MO. PI: Dr. Aida Guhlincozzi. Collected over 80 physical survey responses evaluating event awareness and experience. June 1st, 2024.



    Presentations

    High Risk, Low Reward: The Consequences of the Trump Administration’s Re-Invention of the Third Country Removal. Spring Research Day. Smith, P. May 5th, 2026. Columbia, MO.

    Co-Production of Knowledge in 3D Heritage Informatics. Missouri Archaeological Society Annual Meeting. Vallier, A., McEwen, L., Munene, C., Smith, P., Csoba DeHass, M. March 21st, 2026. Camdenton, MO.

    3D Documentation and Conservation of Petrified Redwood Stumps Using Photogrammetry at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Meyerhoff, B., Smith, P. American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting. March 17th - 21st, 2026. San Francisco, CA.

    Exploring Geospatial Indigenous Data Management Through the Missouri Spatial Data Information Service. Smith, P., Csoba-DeHass, M., Vought, T. West Lakes Regional Division Annual Meeting, American Association of Geographers. Paper presentation. October 23rd -25th, 2025. Milwaukee, WI.

    Kawerak Board of Directors Meeting. Csoba-DeHass, M., Bailey, A., McEwen, L., Meyerhoff, B., Smith, P., Munene, C., Vallier, A., Morris, N. Oral presentation. Columbia, MO.

    Mapping Heritage: The Intersection of Indigenous Knowledges and Geospatial Data. Smith, P., Meyerhoff, B. Poster presentation. Fall Research Day, University of Missouri. December 5th, 2024. Columbia, MO.

    Comparing 3D Technologies for Digital Heritage Preservation. Bailey, A., McEwen, L., Meyerhoff, B., Smith, P., Munene, C., Vallier, A., Csoba-DeHass, M. Oral presentation. Show Me Research Week, University of Missouri. April 8th, 2024. Columbia, MO.




    Research Training and Skills

    Training:

    Responsible Conduct of Research with Fossilized Heritage, Florissant Fossil Beds Paleontology, National Park Service. June 17th - 30th, 2025.

    Reproducible Practices for Arctic Research Using R, Arctic Data Center. February 24th - 28th, 2025. Funded under NSF Grants #1546024 and #2042102.

    PaleoPixels: 3D Visualization and Segmentation Workshop, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Missouri. October 24th - 25th, 2024.

    Media Training, University of Missouri Department of Public Affairs. May 29th, 2024.

    Culturally Responsible Photography, 3D Heritage Informatics Lab, University of Missouri. Spring 2024.

    Introduction to Ethnographic Interviewing, 3D Heritage Informatics Lab, University of Missouri, Department of Geography. Spring 2024.

    Responsible Conduct of Research & Social Behavioral HSR, IRB CITI. February 27th, 2024.

    Computer Environments, Software, and Specialized Equipment:

    • Geospatial Technologies: ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, ERDAS Imagine
    • 3D Technologies: Reality Scan (Photogrammetry), Arctec Space Spider (Structured Light), Dragonfly (3D Segmentation)
    • Research Tools: ATLAS.TI, Zotero
    • Communication Platforms Graphic Design: Owlstown, Krita, Canva
    • Coding Languages: R (Intermediate), Python (Intermediate)
    • Languages: Spanish (Advanced), Kiswahili (Beginner)
    • Equipment: DJI Ronin 4 Gimbal


    Field Experience

    Nome, AK. October 4th - 9th, 2025. Assisted in coordinating ethnographic interviews with Alaska Native Knowledge Holders and co-led a public 3D technology workshop. 3D Heritage Informatics Lab and Kawerak Inc.

    Florissant, CO. July 13th - 26th, 2025. 3D documented paleontological features and landscapes using photogrammetry.

    Columbia, MO. November 18th - 21st, 2024. Assisted in coordinating ethnographic interviews with Alaska Native Knowledge Holders and led a photogrammetry workshop. 3D Heritage Informatics Lab and Kawerak Inc.

    Milwaukee, WI and Hanover, NH. June 2nd - 14th, 2024. 3D documented Alaska Native heritage collections using photogrammetry, assisted in coordinating ethnographic interviews with Alaska Native Knowledge Holders, as well as co-led a photography and photogrammetry workshop. 3D Heritage Informatics Lab and Kawerak Inc.