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2015 Seed Proposal Submission Period – Closed September 17, 2015 Request for NCALM Seed Proposals from Graduate Students The National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping, funded by the National Science Foundation, invites proposals from graduate students...	Request for NCALM Seed Proposals from Graduate Students The National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping, funded by the National Science Foundation, invites proposals from graduate students seeking Airborne Laser Swath Mapping observations covering limited areas (no more than 40 km2) for use in research toward an M.S. or Ph.D. degree. Proposals must be submitted online. For background information and complete guidelines for submitting a proposal, please see the Seed Proposals and Format Guidelines pages. The deadline for proposal submission is November 6, 2015. For more information, contact ncalm [at] egr.uh.edu (subject: NCALM%20Seed%20Proposal%20Information) or call 832.842.8881.
OpenTopography Releases New NCALM Dataset August 19, 2015 OpenTopography has announced the release of a dataset from Mayapan, Mexico – a Mayan archaeological site. The data were collected by NCALM in the summer of 2013 and cover an area of 44 km2...	OpenTopography has announced the release of a dataset from Mayapan, Mexico – a Mayan archaeological site. The data were collected by NCALM in the summer of 2013 and cover an area of 44 km2. Access to the data can be found here.
Houston Matters Interviews UH Engineer Using Lasers to Discover Ancient Civilization July 14, 2015 The National Public Radio’s Houston Matters recently interviewed the University of Houston’s Dr. Ramesh Shrestha, Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor of civil and...	The National Public Radio’s Houston Matters recently interviewed the University of Houston’s Dr. Ramesh Shrestha, Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor of civil and environmental engineering and the director of the National Center for Airborne Mapping (NCALM). Michael Hagerty, host of Houston Matters, spoke with Shrestha about his involvement in the use of lasers to discover an ancient Honduran civilization.
OpenTopography Releases New NCALM Dataset June 26, 2015 OpenTopography has released a new NCALM dataset located in the Surprise Valley of northeastern California. The purpose of the data collection was "to create a high-resolution topographic...	OpenTopography has released a new NCALM dataset located in the Surprise Valley of northeastern California. The purpose of the data collection was "to create a high-resolution topographic base for correlation with an airborne magnetic survey, as well as to map and assess offset along Quaternary fault scarps." More information can be found here.
Civil Engineering Student Wins Prestigious NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship June 4, 2015 Tropical wetlands are one of the most important sources of methane and carbon emissions, which means these land areas play a key role in climate change. Hydrology and hydrodynamics in the...	Tropical wetlands are one of the most important sources of methane and carbon emissions, which means these land areas play a key role in climate change. Hydrology and hydrodynamics in the tropical wetlands are controlling factors of plant and animal ecosystems, sediment delivery, nutrient exchange and global climate change.
Ph.D. in Geosensing Systems Engineering and Sciences Officially Approved May 7, 2015 The National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping is pleased to announce an approved doctoral program in Geosensing Systems Engineering and Sciences (GSES). The Texas Higher Education...	The National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping is pleased to announce an approved doctoral program in Geosensing Systems Engineering and Sciences (GSES). The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recently authorized the official launch of the Ph.D. program at the University of Houston. The GSES program is looking for qualified students to study in a variety of disciplines at the NCALM facilities. The Cullen College of Engineering announcement can be found here, and more information on the new graduate program can be accessed here.
Smartphone-based Early Warning Systems for Earthquakes Can Save Lives: BYU Radio Interviews UH Engineer April 28, 2015 After a powerful 7.8 earthquake shook the nation of Nepal last Saturday, many media outlets around the world are asking whether anything could have been done to save some of the nearly 4,...	After a powerful 7.8 earthquake shook the nation of Nepal last Saturday, many media outlets around the world are asking whether anything could have been done to save some of the nearly 4,000 lives who were lost because of the quake.
Researchers Test Smartphones for Earthquake Warning April 10, 2015 Smartphones and other personal electronic devices could, in regions where they are in widespread use, function as early warning systems for large earthquakes, according to newly reported...	Smartphones and other personal electronic devices could, in regions where they are in widespread use, function as early warning systems for large earthquakes, according to newly reported research. This technology could serve regions of the world that cannot afford higher quality but more expensive conventional earthquake early warning systems.
NCALM Completes Survey at El Ceibal, Guatemala March 30, 2015 The NCALM crew recently completed a field campaign at El Ceibal, in Peten, Guatemala. The project included mapping a 400 km2 site for researchers from Ibaraki University (Japan) and the...	The NCALM crew recently completed a field campaign at El Ceibal, in Peten, Guatemala. The project included mapping a 400 km2 site for researchers from Ibaraki University (Japan) and the University of Arizona. The survey was completed in five flights, with the aircraft based in Guatemala City (MGGT) and Flores (MGMM). This marks the first time NCALM has worked in Guatemala. "Comparative Studies of Ancient American Civilizations" will provide research-quality lidar data to further the understanding of the Mayan civilization in this region. See our Facebook page for more project images. Currently, the crew is mapping several sites in Mexico.
UH Researchers Help Uncover Further Evidence of an Ancient Culture in Honduran Jungle March 6, 2015 A scientist with the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM) at the University of Houston was part of the first expedition to a remote area of the Honduran rain forest, returning...	A scientist with the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM) at the University of Houston was part of the first expedition to a remote area of the Honduran rain forest, returning with more supporting evidence of an ancient civilization that has yet to be named.

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