Professional Member Spotlight: Paulina Vidal

As a remote sensing professional and Ph.D. candidate in Geomatics Engineering, Paulina Vidal is advancing both Earth observation research and the community across Latin America. She co-leads Women in Latin America (WILATAM) initiative funded by the IEEE GRSS Inspire, Develop, Advance, and Empower (IDEA) Committee that is dedicated to empowering women in geoscience and strengthening regional collaboration. In this interview, Paulina reflects on her journey, the impact of community and mentorship on her career, and her vision for fostering a more connected and inclusive GRSS Society, especially for the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Can you introduce yourself and share a brief background about who you are and what you do?

I’m a Chilean researcher. I studied geography at the Universidad de Chile and later completed a master’s degree in remote sensing. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Geomatics Engineering. Since graduating, I have been working at Universidad Mayor, Centro de Observación de la Tierra Hémera. I started out working with hyperspectral imagery, mainly focused on forestry and agricultural applications, as well as optical imagery.  I am specializing in monitoring ground deformation, primarily related to landslide processes, using radar imagery. I am also developing a research line on monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through Earth observation data. In addition, I teach GIS courses at Universidad Mayor to undergrad students in Earth science-related programs.

How long have you been a member? Tell us about your GRSS journey.

I joined GRSS in 2018. Since 2024, I have served as secretary of the Chilean chapter. Over the past few years, I have become much more involved with the society and with all the opportunities it offers professional and student members. Attending a spring school in Argentina was a turning point in my relationship with GRSS: first, because I learned a great deal about SAR, and second, because it opened up a world of possibilities for how I, as a professional and PhD student, could contribute to the LATAM region. This year, together with Victoria Marinelli and Sabrina Beninato from Argentina, I am leading an initiative called WILATAM (Women in Latin America), funded by IDEA, whose mission is to support the growth and development of women in geosciences and remote sensing in Latin America by strengthening professional networks and improving regional collaboration, promoting exchange in Spanish and Portuguese. I have also attended several IGARSS conferences, where I have learned a great deal through the talks and activities organized during the events. 

What inspired you to join GRSS?

Ever since I graduated from university, I have worked on solving problems using remote sensing techniques, so joining GRSS was a natural step, as the society promotes exactly this kind of collaborative network around these topics.

How has GRSS contributed to your professional growth?

Being a member has contributed to my career in many ways: presenting at conferences, meeting colleagues from around the world, networking, taking courses, and attending IGARSS. It has also given me valuable friendships.

What advice would you give to individuals considering joining the GRSS community?

That within GRSS (whether you’re a researcher, professional, or student) there is an endless number of opportunities and activities we can access as members, and that it’s also worth looking for ways we can contribute in return, for example to the growth of the regions we’re part of. There are opportunities for networking, micro-grants, mentorships, and courses that directly contribute to our growth as students or professionals. I remember an IDEA webinar given by Mariko Burgin called ” Follow Your North Star,” which greatly empowered and inspired me as a woman in geosciences in LATAM.

Research Profile

What sector/theme/topic does your research focus on?

My current research has two main lines. The first relates to using radar imagery to monitor mass removal processes, which are very common in Chile and are likely to become even more frequent due to climate change and intense rainfall. The second line I have been working on is the use of Earth observation data and its contribution to monitoring the SDGs and implementing the 2030 Agenda in Chile.

What key advancement(s) are you proud of in your work?

I’m proud of applying my geosciences knowledge to solve real-world problems in agriculture, natural hazards, and planning. I am always working in multidisciplinary teams, where dialogue between different fields of knowledge has been key to developing solutions with tangible impact Additionally, stepping outside my comfort zone to communicate and collaborate with colleagues from other countries, which has significantly advanced my professional growth.

As a woman in geosciences, I especially value having contributed to making the role of women more visible in a historically male-dominated field, and I hope my career path encourages more girls and young women to see Earth sciences as a possible path for themselves. Along the same lines, although I am currently pursuing my Ph.D., my previous experience has allowed me to take on a supporting and mentoring role for new generations, helping open paths so that younger researchers can find spaces to grow and develop. That is perhaps one of the contributions that gives the most meaning to my work.

 How does your work fit into the IEEE GRSS society?

I currently volunteer and participate in the Chilean chapter. Additionally, since I teach Geographic Information Systems courses, I share with my students all the opportunities GRSS offers: a space for professional growth where one learns a great deal from more experienced colleagues, finds mentors, and builds networks. And, of course, it connects directly to geosciences.

Anything else to share? Conferences or events you are looking to attend?

This year I will attend IGARSS in Washington, where I will volunteer with IDEA  and present my research on the sustainable cities SDG in Chile. Thanks to receiving a scholarship to attend a spring school, where, in addition to learning about SAR, I built very valuable networks, I have become an active member within GRSS. A future challenge I would like to tackle this year is establishing a student chapter.

You can meet Paulina at IGARSS 2026!

Paper ID 3015: Land Use Efficiency (SDG 11.3.1) and Surface Urban Heat Islands in Iquique–Alto Hospicio, Chile: A Remote Sensing Approach

Presentation Time: Wednesday, August 12, 2:45–3:00 PM

Session: WE3.R8: Earth Observation in Latin America: Regional Efforts, Challenges, and Innovations