Shristi Shrestha
Short Bio
I am a geospatial professional from Nepal with experience in GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, drone mapping, hazard mapping, and geospatial data visualization. My interests lie in earth science, environmental modeling, land-use analysis, climate and disaster risk mapping, and using geospatial technologies to solve real-world problems.
Education
Bachelor in Geomatics Engineering Western Region Campus, Tribhuvan University 2024
Professional Experience
My professional background spans GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, drone mapping, hazard mapping, and geospatial data visualization. As a Climate Fellow with Youth Innovation Lab and Aasaman Nepal, I worked on critical infrastructure data collection, vulnerability and capacity assessments, hazard and land-use mapping, and participatory GIS mapping. At Galli Express Pvt. Ltd., I contributed to spatial data visualization, thematic and web mapping, drone data processing, satellite image analysis, digitization, and Web GIS development support. I also contributed to Open Mapping Hub Asia-Pacific through mapathon and validation activities focused on road network mapping in western Nepal. Additionally, at the Center for Space Science and Geomatics Studies, I worked on landslide hazard risk mapping using satellite imagery, ArcMap, QGIS, and Google Earth Engine.
Innovation
My research focuses on understanding how hurricanes influence sediment movement and harmful algal bloom responses in coastal lake systems along the Alabama-Florida Gulf Coast. This work examines how high-energy storm events affect lake environments through processes such as overwash, runoff, and changes in sediment deposition. As part of this research, I work with sediment cores from coastal lakes in Alabama and Florida and analyze grain-size distributions to identify possible hurricane-related depositional events. My research also integrates GIS and remote sensing to connect field-based sediment evidence with broader environmental patterns. I use spatial data such as hurricane tracks, watershed characteristics, and LULCchange from 1984 to 2024, along with satellite-derived harmful algal bloom indices from Landsat imagery using Google Earth Engine. Through an event-based framework, I compare pre- and post-hurricane conditions to evaluate how storm disturbances influence sediment transport, terrestrial-aquatic connectivity, and ecosystem response in vulnerable coastal environments.
Engagement
Alongside my technical work, I have been actively involved in knowledge sharing, community engagement, and capacity-building activities in geospatial technologies. I have contributed to participatory mapping as a trainer, guiding volunteers in using OpenStreetMap and geospatial data to prepare thematic maps for disaster awareness and emergency preparedness. Through Open Mapping Hub Asia-Pacific, HOT, and OSM-related initiatives, I have supported mapathons, validation activities, and mentorship programs focused on improving open geospatial data. I have also participated in trainings and workshops on WebGIS, DGPS, Terrestrial LiDAR, and women's empowerment in geospatial information technology, which strengthened my ability to connect technical skills with practical community-based applications. As a member of the Geomatics Engineering Students Society of Nepal, I supported webinars, trainings, and extracurricular activities related to Earth data, GIS, and geoinformatics, helping create learning opportunities for students and young professionals.
