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Susan Cochran
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RESEARCH STUDIES PAST AND PRESENT

Online Resume

I am currently working for the U.S. Geological Survey on the Pacific Coral Reefs Project. We are using a combination of remote sensing techniques - aerial photography, laser bathymetry data, and underwater video - to map coral distributions, accompanied by geologic process studies, such as sediment transport across reefs and larval distribution via nearshore currents. For a look at some of what we're doing, go to USGS Pacific Coral Reef Studies.

I am also involved in a Hyperspectral Imaging Project as a continuation of my Master's thesis at the University of California at Santa Cruz. A joint investigation between UCSC Earth Science and Biology Departments and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, this project is looking at the use of hyperspectral imaging techniques, including previously flown AVIRIS imagery and hand-held spectroradiometer scans, to detect plant stress due to natural (i.e. geothermal) and anthropogenic influences. My focus involves using these techniques to detect and monitor stress signatures in coastal and shallow marine environments.

Previous undergraduate thesis research at Baylor University, Department of Geology, focused on the relationship between the biodiversity and the geomorphology of a coral reef complex on the north coast of Jamaica. Fieldwork took place over three summers and was conducted from the Discovery Bay Marine Lab under the direction of Dr. Rena Bonem. Analysis of Landsat TM imagery and aerial photos was done under the direction of Dr. Cleavy McKnight.

PUBLICATIONS

SELECTED POSTERS AND TALKS

  • Cochran, S.A., 2008, Comparison of a benthic terrain model to benthic habitat classification maps of Moloka`i, Hawai`i, USA: 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, July 7-11, 2008, p. 403.
  • Cochran, S.A., Chavez, P.S., Isbrecht, J., and Bogle, R.C., 2008, Mapping suspended sediment concentration on a fringing coral reef using airborne multispectral remote sensing and in situ sampling; Moloka`i, Hawai`i: 2008 Ocean Sciences, Orlando, FL, Proceedings, March 2-8, 2008, p. 79.
  • Draut, A.E., Bothner, M.H., Reynolds, R.L., Field, M.E., Cochran, S.A., Logan, J.B., Storlazzi, C.D., and Berg, C.J., 2008, Implications of seasonal flood deposits for coral reef ecosystems; example from Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i, HI, USA: 2008 Ocean Sciences, Orlando, FL, Proceedings, March 2-8, 2008, p. 107.
  • Field, M.E., Ogston, A.O., Storlazzi, C.D., Cochran, S.A., Presto, M.K., Stock, J.D., and Logan, J.B., 2008, Chronic turbidity on the Molokai fringing coral reef; goats, sugar, and watershed change: 2008 Ocean Sciences, Orlando, FL, Proceedings, March 2-8, 2008, p. 125.
  • Cochran, S.A., Field, M.E., and Storlazzi, C.D., 2007, Distribution of mud in Hanalei Bay, Kaua`i; June vs. September 2006, in Field, M.E., Berg, C.J., and Cochran, S.A., eds., Science and management in the Hanalei watershed; a trans-disciplinary approach: Proceedings from the Hanalei watershed workshop. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1219, p. 18-21.
  • Draut, A.E., Field, M.E., Bothner, M.H., Cochran, S.A., Casso, M.A., Baldwin, S., Reynolds, R.L., Logan, J.B., and Storlazzi, C.D.,2007, Seasonal flood deposits in Hanalei Bay, Kaua`i, HI, in Field, M.E., Berg, C.J., and Cochran, S.A., eds., Science and management in the Hanalei watershed; a trans-disciplinary approach: Proceedings from the Hanalei watershed workshop. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1219, p. 22-27.
  • Gibbs, A.E., and Cochran, S.A., 2007, Seafloor habitat mapping in Hawaiian National Parks. Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, March 17-21, 2007.
  • Cochran, S.A., Gibbs, A.E., and Logan, J.B., 2006, Benthic habitat maps for National Parks along the Kona coast, Hawai`i. Eos. Trans. AGU 87(36), Ocean Sciences Meeting Supplement, CD-rom, Abstract OS26I-02.
  • Field, M.E., Ogston, A.S., Storlazzi, C.D., Cochran, S.A., and Chavez Jr., P.S., 2006, Turbidity and sedimentation on Hawaiian coral reefs: the "residence-time" factor. Eos. Trans. AGU 87(36), Ocean Sciences Meeting Supplement, CD-rom, Abstract OS52O-02.
  • Gibbs, A.E., Cochran, S.A., Storlazzi, C.D., Grossman, E.E., and Field, M.E., 2006, Coral habitat variability in the Kona coast National Parks. Eos. Trans. AGU 87(36), Ocean Sciences Meeting Supplement, CD-rom, Abstract OS26I-09.
  • Gibbs, A.E., Cochran-Marquez, S.A., Logan, J.B., Grossman, E.E., Field, M.E., and Beavers, S., 2005, Seafloor habitat mapping in the Kona Coast National Parks: in The George Wright Society Biennial Conference on Parks, Protected Areas, and Cultural Sites, Philadelphia, PA, March 14-18, 2005, p. 152.
  • Gibbs, A., Grossman, E., Logan, J., Cochran-Marquez, S., Storlazzi, C., Field, M., Payton, A., and Street, J., 2004, Seafloor habitat mapping and oceanographic studies in the Kona Coast National Parks. Presented at the Geological Society of America 2004 Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, November 2004. GSA Abstracts with Programs, v. 36, no. 5, p. 124.
  • Chavez, Jr., P.S., Isbrecht, J., Cochran. S., 2004, Use of remote sensing to detect and map suspended sediment on a reef due to on-land runoff and wind resuspension: Moloka`i, Hawai`i. Presented at the 2004 Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting (AGU), Honolulu, HI, August 2004.
  • Cochran-Marquez, S.A., 2004 High-resolution benthic habitat map of Moloka`i, HI. Presented at the 2004 Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting (AGU), Honolulu, HI, August 2004.
  • Cochran, S.A., Chavez, Jr., Pat S., Field, Michael E., Sides, Stuart C., Ayers, Paul, and Legoza, Sarah, Underwater acoustic and video mapping of coral reef habitats, Moloka`i. Presented at the Second Symposium on Marine Conservation Biology, San Francisco, CA, June 2001.
  • Cochran, S.A., Chavez, Jr., Pat S., Field, Michael E., and Sides, Stuart C., A multi-tasked approach to coral reef ecosystem mapping, Moloka`i, Hawai`i. Presented at the Second Symposium on Marine Conservation Biology, San Francisco, CA, June 2001
  • Cochran, Susan A., Hyperspectral Imaging Techniques Applied To Ecosystem Health Monitoring In Elkhorn Slough, Central California. Presented at the Sixth International Conference on Remote Sensing for Marine and Coastal Environments, Charleston, SC, May 2000.
  • Cochran, Susan A. Hyperspectral Techniques For Ecosystem Monitoring In Elkhorn Slough. Presented at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Symposium, Sanctuary Currents '00, Causes of Ecosystem Change: Natural or Human?, Santa Cruz, CA, March 2000.
  • Cochran, Susan A. Mapping environmental stress in Elkhorn Slough, Central California using hyperspectral data: a management tool for an at-risk coastal ecosystem. Presented at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Symposium, Sanctuary Currents '99, Climate Change and the Sanctuary, Seaside, CA, March 1999.
  • Cochran, Susan A., Martini, Brigette A., Jacobs, J. Rebecca, Potts, Donald C., Silver, Eli S., and Pickles, William L. Mapping environmental stress in Elkhorn Slough, Central California using hyperspectral data: a management tool for an at-risk coastal ecosystem. Presented at the Fifth International Conference Remote Sensing for Marine and Coastal Environments, San Diego, CA, October 1998.
  • Susan A. Cochran and J. Rebecca Jacobs. Hyperspectral tools for early detection, rapid assessment and economical monitoring of anthropogenic inputs to estuarine ecosystems. Presented at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Symposium, Sanctuary Currents '98, Human Influences on the Coastal Ocean, Santa Cruz, CA, March,1998.