Keynote speakers
Blandine is a soil scientist since 2004 specialized in soil mapping. She works in a joint research unit in Rennes (France) that brings together people from Institut Agro–AGROCAMPUS OUEST and INRAE. She is responsible for the soil information system in Brittany (France), and she also works for national programs. Her skills include characterizing soil morphology in the field, digital soil mapping and disseminating soil information to a large panel of end-users. She is also an expert in identifying and delineating typical wetland soils.
Dr Pierre Roudier is a soil scientist, proximal and remote sensing specialist, and spatial modeller at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research in New Zealand, and a Principal Investigator with Te Pūnaha Matatini, a Centre of Research Excellence on complex systems and networks hosted by the University of Auckland. His main area of research is pedometrics, the use of quantitative methods for the study of soil distribution and genesis. He is passionate about developing innovative approaches that leverage the recent advances in machine learning and soil sensing, so to provide quantitative soil information to a wide range of stakeholders. Pierre also has a keen interest in Antarctic soils, where he applies pedometrics so map some of the key chemical properties of soil found in the ice-free areas of the continent. He has been part of four successive field events across the Ross Sea Region. Regardless of the application or the scale, Pierre believes that mapping its main properties is the first step towards protecting our precious soil resource – and its sustainable management. Aside from work, Pierre is most happy outdoors, and can be found kite surfing when it’s windy, or mountain biking if it’s not.
Dr. Colby Brungard is an assistant professor of soil science at New Mexico State University, USA. His research experience has been in all aspects of digital soil mapping including sampling design, terrain analysis, remote sensing, and predictive modeling. His research also seeks novel ways to simplify soil property measurement. He has several field seasons experience in pedon excavation and description (he is happy to say that this is the most enjoyable part of his research) in arid and semi-arid environments. He teaches Soil Morphology and Classification and Introductory Soil Science classes for both undergraduate and graduate students. Interacting with students is a significant, very enjoyable, and compelling part of every day