Janelle Daigle holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and a Masters of Science degree in Geoinformatics. She began her integration of GIS and space weather during her graduate studies at Millersville University where she participated in Millersville’s SWEN (Space Weather and the Environment) program. Her Masters thesis focused on utilizing geospatial technology to assess the potential risks that space weather can have on precision agriculture. Interview by Terry Griffin and Randal Hale.
Janelle Where are you on earth and what do you do for a living?
I am from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, home of the largest Amish community, the infamous Shoo-fly Pie and the Whoopie Pie (despite what they say in New England). Currently, I am a GIS specialist for a civil engineering firm. Within my role for the firm, I utilize a variety of geospatial tools and workflows to enhance transportation planning, environmental planning, and emergency management services. In addition to the planning services, I also serve as a consultant for local governments by managing their geospatial data and tools to better assist their decision making as well as improve public transparency through interactive web maps.
How did you get into the Geospatial Field?
Have you ever heard the phrase, “If it is meant for you, it won’t miss”? You see, I didn’t set out seeking to get into the geospatial field, it sort of found me. For example, when I began my post secondary education journey as a non-traditional student I knew that I wanted to land in a career where I could make a positive impact on humanity and the environment while expressing my creative/artsy side. I just wasn’t sure which field was right for me. So, I started off taking some general education credits and I must have changed my major about 3 times until I had an academic advisor introduce me to my first GIS introductory class. Within that first GIS course not only did I learn how multifaceted the geospatial field is but GIS and geospatial technology is where science meets art. Upon completion of that course I knew I had found my niche in a field that allowed me to embrace my creative side while making those positive impacts that I originally set out to do, without taking those grueling organic chemistry classes.
In doing some of our usual Crack Research here at geohipster I noticed you had a published paper on geomagnetic storms. How do Geomagnetic Storms tie into the Geospatial Industry?
Geomagnetic storms tie into the Geospatial industry in a few ways. First the geospatial industry heavily relies on GPS and GNSS signals for data collection in the field and when geomagnetic storms disrupt the ionosphere, it leads to inaccurate positioning which leads to errors and distortion of the data. For certain industries such as construction and agriculture these errors can be costly. The second tie is that geomagnetic storms can cause damage to satellites that greatly impact services like remote sensing and navigation. Thus making it difficult for proper disaster management such as tracking the paths and intensity of a storm, monitoring methane leaks from oil pads, and identifying areas at risk for floods and wildfires. In addition, with the increased reliance on GPS in today’s society for navigation, geomagnetic storms have the ability to cause dangerous situations when they are followed blindly. I once read an article that a woman from Massachusetts was guided onto a railroad track during a solar event where she drove the wrong way leading her to get stuck on the tracks. She narrowly got her two kids and herself out of her vehicle before an oncoming train mangled her vehicle. Lastly, GIS serves as a great tool for communicating the risks of geomagnetic storms as well as identifying areas where mitigation efforts can be applied. For example, when learning for the first time the mechanisms of solar events and their impacts on Earth, it can be like drinking water from a fire hose. Therefore, the capabilities of GIS through various analysis, as well as interactive and static maps GIS serves as a great medium in communicating the risks of geomagnetic storms, who is impacted, and when and where to apply mitigation efforts.
Given the relatively unexplored mapping of space weather impacts on everyday life, how are you leveraging citizen scientists?
A few of my colleagues/friends and I are using a variety of geospatial applications and tools to engage citizen scientists who use GNSS systems for multiple industries. While we can assess risk through a few datasets provided by NOAA such as GloTech, we want to hear from the users on what they are experiencing on the ground as the events are happening. For example, users will submit their information into a report that details the time when the outage occurred, what they were doing during the outage, what they experienced during the outage, and how long the outage lasted. The details of their information from the report will then be populated onto an online map in real-time. Enabling this platform will enable the user to report the outage and see if others in their general vicinity are experiencing similar problems. Data collected by citizen scientists will also aid in developing a forecast system that will be able to alert users when they can expect to see outages within their area that will result in cost saving benefits as well as reduce many headaches that were felt during the Gannon storm. Lastly, through this engagement of mapping and citizen scientists, we are building a tool that is not only for the GNSS user community but is built by the community with their responses and continuous input. Leveraging geospatial tools and the engagement of the GNSS user community, will be able to provide a large dataset for continued research into the impacts on GNSS from solar events as well as develop mitigation strategies for when solar events occur.
So I have to ask – Shoofly and Whoopie Pie?
Shoofly pie is a classic Pennsylvania Dutch dessert. I’ve pretty much grown up surrounded by it. While I didn’t care for it as a child, it has become a favorite as an adult. Anyway, Shoofly pie is made with a molasses base that gives it a “wet bottom” with a crumb topping. Should you ever find yourself in Lancaster County, I highly recommend stopping at the nearest Amish bakery or roadside food stand and grab yourself one.
A Whoopie Pie on the other hand, is like if an oreo and a cake had a baby. Typically it consists of two round mound shaped chocolate cakes with a cream filling in the middle. The Whoopie Pie is also attached to a long dispute of its place of origin. You see, there are a few states that claim to be the origin of the Whoop Pie. These states include Maine, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. However, it is Maine and Pennsylvania that have the longest history of dispute. Pennsylvania claims that the treat was brought to the state from German immigrants and women would make the treats when they had left over cake batter. Maine claims that the origin of the Whoopie Pie belongs to Maine because they have handwritten records dating back to 1925 and Pennsylvania only has records that date back to the 1960s. It is quite the debate, one that usually ends in a stalemate. Especially in my house since I was born and raised in Pennsylvania and my husband was born and raised in Maine. At the end of the day, Whoopie Pie is very nostalgic to me. So, I’ll most likely die on the hill that Pennsylvania is the origin of the Whoopie Pie.
Can I sign up for alerts about Geomagnetic Storms that may affect my GPS?
Yes, the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) allows anyone to sign up for alerts, watches, and warnings. I have linked their page below where you can subscribe for the alerts.
What’s the best thing about Lancaster County?
To me, the best thing about Lancaster County is the geography. Currently, there is still a good mix of urban development and farmland. It is great being close to many modern amenities and the culture that Lancaster city provides, but I love being surrounded by farmland and having easily accessible fresh produce from local farms. It is my lifetime goal to to have a little farm one day with a greenhouse, chickens, a few goats and a couple of horses.
Last Question is yours – Anything you want to tell the Geohipster Audience?
I will leave the audience with one of my favorite quotes….
“Without geography, you are nowhere” -Jimmy Buffett