By Nadia Samaroo: Sustainability Graduate Student; NOAA EPP/ MSI Center for Earth System Science and Remote Sensing Technologies II, Cohort III Fellow

Over the past few months, I’ve been conducting research on living shorelines in New York City—specifically at West Pond in Jamaica Bay—to study how the area’s vegetation has recovered since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. This project is part of my research with NOAA CESSRST (Center for Earth System Sciences and Remote Sensing Technologies), where I’ve been combining both remote sensing data and fieldwork observations to better understand the shoreline’s recovery.

My research looks at whether there has been vegetation improvement at West Pond since Hurricane Sandy, which caused severe damage to many coastal ecosystems in New York City. I’ve been using remote sensing tools like NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index)—a method that helps measure vegetation health and density using satellite imagery. By comparing NDVI data from 2012 (right after the hurricane) and 2024, I’ve found that vegetation has increased in the area.

However, while the data shows there’s been growth, the next step is to figure out what type of vegetation is actually growing. Are the plants native species that help strengthen the shoreline, or invasive species that could harm the ecosystem? I’m currently working on using GIS mapping tools and potentially writing a code that could help identify the types of vegetation present. This information is crucial in understanding if the living shoreline is truly recovering or if invasive species are taking over.

Earlier this week, I had the amazing opportunity to present my research at the EPP/MSI Forum at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on March 4th. This was a really big milestone for me—my first ever symposium away from home and my first time traveling without my family.

Going into the trip, I was incredibly nervous. Public speaking has always been something I struggle with, and the idea of presenting my work in front of experts and other students made my anxiety skyrocket. But with the support of my friends and mentors, I slowly found my confidence. Once I started talking about my research, I felt myself relax and fall into the rhythm of my presentation.

The whole experience was honestly life-changing. It showed me how much I’ve grown—not only as a researcher but as a person. I’m so grateful for the encouragement I received from my CESSRST community, and I’m already looking forward to traveling to more research forums in the future.

This is only the beginning of my research journey. My next steps will focus on identifying the plant species at West Pond and continuing to monitor the shoreline’s recovery. As I keep learning new skills in remote sensing and GIS, I’m excited to see how this project develops and how it might contribute to coastal restoration efforts in New York City.

If there’s one thing this experience has taught me, it’s that stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to incredible growth—both in science and in yourself.

Thank you to CESSRST, my mentors, and everyone who has supported me along the way! I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.