IN FOCUS: Snapshot of GRSS Latin America Activities (Part 1)

By Joanne Van Voorhis

GRSS supports a global network of remote sensing communities through programs, events, and outreach efforts. Regional GRSS Global Activities Liaisons are active in Africa, Asia Pacific, China, Europe, India, Latin America, Middle East/North Africa, and North America. Continuing our news series featuring each region, in this article we explore GRSS activities in Latin America.

IEEE GRSS’s Commitment to Latin America

Across Latin America, the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) has been steadily expanding its presence and impact, supporting a growing community of researchers, students, and professionals working to address environmental, agricultural, urban, and climate-related challenges. Through a combination of regional symposia, active local chapters, student-focused initiatives, and capacity-building programs, GRSS is helping to strengthen technical expertise and foster lasting collaboration throughout the region.

“Latin America has experienced unprecedented growth in GRSS chapter development, establishing itself as a vibrant hub for geoscience and remote sensing innovation,” says Latin America Liaison Maria Victoria Marinelli (National Commission for Space Activities). “Having started my own GRSS journey back in 2018 during my Master’s, I know firsthand how vital this community is for early-career researchers. However, our region faces unique challenges like currency exchange issues and travel costs that restrict global conference attendance, which is why we are actively advocating for virtual registration options and regional travel grants to ensure no researcher is left behind, while also guaranteeing different benefits for member publications in IEEE journals and magazines,” she adds.

Technical Focus and Regional Needs

The technical focus of GRSS activities in Latin America is closely aligned with the region’s most pressing challenges. Research topics commonly featured in regional events include agricultural monitoring, forest and biodiversity mapping, water resource management, urban growth analysis, natural hazard assessment, and climate-change impacts. 

Remote-sensing technologies are particularly relevant in Latin America, where vast ecosystems, rapidly expanding urban areas, and climate-sensitive regions demand accurate and timely geospatial information. As Latin America Regional Liaison, Marinelli recognizes that technical needs – from agricultural monitoring to environmental resilience – are deeply tied to the survival and prosperity of local communities. “To tackle these issues effectively, we must support multilingual accessibility, providing resources in Spanish, Portuguese, and English,” she says. “Furthermore, securing travel grants and funding for developing economies is critical for our region’s integration into the global scientific community. Beyond academia, we are committed to bridging the gap between research and real-world impact by fostering industry outreach and securing funds for collaborative, cross-border applications,” she adds.

Latin America GRSS Symposium

One of the most visible expressions of GRSS’s commitment in Latin America has been the Latin America GRSS Symposium (LAGIRS), which was developed in conjunction with the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS). LAGIRS 2025 was held in Brazil and provided a forum for attendees to exchange ideas, access the latest developments, identify future trends, and network with the regional and international geoscience community. Building on the 2020 edition organized in Chile, the recent conference included thematic tracks in production and economy (agriculture, urban development), environment and ecology (climate, biodiversity, land use), social applications (disasters, cultural heritage), and regional issues including Amazonian deforestation, Andes glacier reduction, Antarctic defrosting, and other matters. A major highlight was the GeoTech4Frontiers track, which encouraged dialogue, demonstrations, and collaboration between science, technology, industry, and government, to help address both challenges and opportunities of Latin American border regions.

“The Symposium has allowed us to stay engaged with the global geosciences and remote sensing community while developing deep relationships within Latin America to drive academic growth, encouragement, and networking,” explains Marinelli. “I still remember the impact of publishing my first Scopus-indexed paper at a regional conference; these events are truly life-changing and essential for regional visibility. To expand this impact, we are heavily investing in advanced schools and technical congresses across the region – such as the 10th Spring School in Argentina, specialized Summer Schools in Mexico and El Salvador, and major technical gatherings like ARGENCON and the Earth Observation Forum at UNICAMP in Brazil. Furthermore, for IGARSS 2026, we have a dedicated session, “CCT.91: Earth Observation in Latin America,” which has successfully garnered paper submissions despite regional restrictions. Looking ahead, we are already immersed in planning LAGIRS 2027 and Rising Star 2026 to keep building that local stage for our researchers,” she adds.

Chapters Coordinating Across Latin America

Beyond regional conferences, GRSS’s impact is felt most directly through its expanding network of local chapters across Latin America. Active chapters in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina organize technical seminars, workshops, and outreach programs tailored to regional needs, and the region also has a widespread student branch strategy. These activities bring international expertise to local audiences and provide a platform for members to exchange ideas, collaborate on research proposals, and build professional networks. By supporting chapter formation and growth, GRSS ensures that its presence in the region is continuous and community-driven rather than limited to occasional conferences.

“Science can be a tough road, but sharing it with the right people makes it beautiful.” says Marinelli. “That is the spirit behind our chapter coordination. We are currently fostering six new Student Branches and three new Professional Chapters across the region. To truly support them, we implemented an Established Chapter-led Mentorship Program and initiated monthly virtual roundtables. These meetings allow us to coordinate a regional agenda, share knowledge across chapters, and actively elevate the academic and career trajectories of our members.”

In Part Two, we’ll shift our focus to the people who make up the community – its members – and examine how the region supports their professional growth with the aim of encouraging deeper engagement and participation in the society.

For more information, visit the GRSS Global Activities website and reach out to Dr. Maria Victoria Marinelli via email (victoria.marinelli@ieee.org).